Description
Plan, direct, and coordinate operations of livestock farms or ranches to maximize herd health, productivity, and profitability. Hire, train, and supervise staff; manage breeding, feeding, grazing, housing, and animal welfare; and oversee budgeting, compliance, and marketing of livestock and animal products.
- • Collect and record herd health, production, and environmental data.
- • Develop and implement herd health plans, including vaccination, deworming, and biosecurity.
- • Monitor animal condition, reproduction, and performance to detect disease, heat, or stress.
- • Plan breeding programs and select sires and dams; manage artificial insemination or natural service.
- • Oversee calving, lambing, or farrowing and neonatal care to reduce mortality.
- • Manage feeding programs and rations; work with nutritionists to optimize growth and milk or egg production.
- • Procure feed, supplements, bedding, and veterinary supplies; manage inventories.
- • Plan rotational grazing and pasture utilization; maintain fencing and water systems.
- • Maintain and repair barns, corrals, handling facilities, and equipment.
- • Implement animal identification, tagging, and traceability systems.
- • Conduct or supervise herd examinations to identify diseases or parasites; coordinate veterinary treatment.
- • Enforce humane handling, animal welfare, and worker safety standards.
- • Develop and enforce biosecurity, quarantine, and visitor control procedures.
- • Coordinate weaning, backgrounding, and finishing schedules.
- • Schedule pregnancy checks, vaccinations, and performance testing.
- • Plan culling and replacement strategies to meet genetic and productivity goals.
- • Determine stocking rates, herd size, and resource allocation based on budgets and market conditions.
- • Negotiate sales, storage, or shipment of livestock and animal products; arrange transportation.
- • Maintain records and prepare reports required by state and federal laws and quality programs.
- • Track budgets, costs, and revenues; analyze profitability and set pricing.
- • Hire, train, schedule, and supervise farm workers and contractors.
- • Obtain financing and purchase livestock, equipment, and supplies.
- • Prepare for and respond to emergencies, weather events, predators, and disease outbreaks.
- • Use herd management software, RFID, sensors, and scales to support decision-making.
- • Coordinate manure handling, waste management, and environmental compliance.
- • Inspect facilities and equipment for disrepair and schedule preventive maintenance.
- • Evaluate marketing and certification options, such as direct sales, organic, or animal welfare labels.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
