Career in Animal Science

By Institute For Career Research

The business of raising horses for racing and riding, cattle for rood and hides, makes for a hard but rewarding outdoor life. The 21st century will challenge our ability to grow enough food to feed all the new hungry mouths.The farmers and ranchers will have to become advanced breeders, animal nutritionists and scientists in order to satisfy the demand for safe and healthy food.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Institute For Career Research
• Release date: Dec 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9781458176899

Book preview

Introduction

Ol' MacDonald of EIEIO fame would hardly recognize his farm today. Yes, there are the animals and they have to be tended to, but the work is now scientific and automated. And if John Wayne was still driving those cattle across movie sets he would get to his destination quicker and with less difficulty. From The Red River, to City Slickers , to The Horse Whisperer , we have fantasized about the American West in movies, books and television. The farm and the ranch are still there, but the system has changed and so have the careers of the farmers, ranchers and breeders.

This is a hard way to make a living, but those who have stuck with it wouldn't do anything else. You must understand that working with livestock is unlike any other career you can imagine. It is difficult and challenging and frustrating all at once because it keeps you out of doors in all the elements, breaks your back and stretches your muscles and your mind to the limit, and puts you at the mercy of global financial markets.

This is also a very rewarding way to make a living if you like being outdoors, find the physical work invigorating and the elements challenging. In fact, livestock breeding careers have increased in popularity as the search continues for better and safer ways to breed and raise horses, cattle (bulls, cows and steers), swine (pigs/hogs), goats and sheep.

Throughout the 20th century, as we moved from an agrarian to an urban society, breeding and raising livestock became more sophisticated as the medical professionals and the consumers became more concerned about everyday diets and health problems including heart disease, cholesterol and obesity. We learned a great deal about fat and how it can clog the arteries and play havoc with the heart. We turned more and more to poultry and veal while breeders were successfully giving us leaner, healthier cattle. Today, even our fast-food hamburgers are less fatty and healthier.

A Good Career For The Hale And Hearty

Ranchers and farmers raise livestock for profit. Horses are raised for thoroughbred racing, championship show-ring competition and recreational riding. Cattle, swine, goats and sheep are raised for food and for their hides and hair. Because livestock must be protected against disease, many farmers grow their own hay and grain to keep control over the entire breeding and raising process.

Breeding Horses

Breeding horses is as exact a science as you can find in this field. For centuries, horses have been bred for beauty, trainability, stamina and soundness. Whether racing in the Kentucky Derby or entered in an equestrian competition, the goal of the horse breeder has been to improve on equine characteristics. Thoroughbred horses are raised to make it first to the