Other animal scientists conduct research to improve the breed, diet, care, and the environment of livestock. In reaction to negative reports of animal treatment and pressure from animal rights groups, animal scientists have increasingly been researching ways to improve animal living conditions. Scientists studying livestock behavior have found that animals that are treated better are the best meat producers and are much less susceptible to disease. Breeding pens, milking stations, feed quality, and housing conditions are being improved to give livestock more space and better food. Breeding methods that produce genetically superior animals are also being improved. Larger cows producing more milk, sheep with thicker wool coats, and larger chickens are some of the advances already made. Animal scientists are now breeding steer and pigs that have a smaller percentage of body fat, supplying consumers with leaner and healthier meats.
RELATED PROFESSIONS
- Animal Breeder
- Zookeeper
- Animal Trainer
- Zoologist
- Dairy Scientist
- Veterinarian
- Poultry Scientist
- Range Manager
The minimal educational requirement for an animal scientist is a bachelor of science degree. Animal scientists working as managers and technicians in the livestock industry most often have a bachelor's degree. Those interested in research and teaching should hold a master's or Ph.D. degree. Most animal scientists have degrees in animal science, animal husbandry, poultry science, dairy science, or agribusiness. Each state supports a public land grant university that has an animal science or related major.
Students interested in animal science should have a strong science back-ground. Most colleges offering a degree in animal science offer a core of science classes, including chemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy, genetics, and physics. Specific courses in animal science include animal behavior, re-productive physiology, food science, molecular biology, animal management, and animal morphology.
Most students are required to do fieldwork on college farms where they learn about the daily operations of a livestock operation. Students should also find summer employment with private ranchers, dairy farmers, stock- 'yards, or feedlots. There are also a number of internship opportunities with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agricultural agencies.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
There is no special certification or licensing for this occupation.
SETTING
Animal scientists work in laboratories, stockyards, feedlots, offices, and re-search stations around the country. Most work settings are production oriented, so the atmosphere is often fast paced and geared toward shipping deadlines. Because this type of work is hands-on, animal scientists should be in good physical condition and enjoy working outdoors with animals. The majority of animal scientists work in a rural setting where most livestock operations are located. Some who work in research facilities or private laboratories find themselves in urban areas, but this is much less common.
EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS AND MAJOR EMPLOYERS
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in the early 1990s about 25,000 agricultural scientists were working in private industry in the United States. Several thousand of these workers were animal scientists. A number of animal scientists teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. In addition, animal scientists work in all levels of government as extension agents or consultants advising agricultural producers on a variety of production and animal care issues.
In the private sector, animal scientists are employed by companies in a variety of industries, including livestock producers, livestock transport firms, packing companies, animal feed, pharmaceutical companies, veterinary sup-pliers, farm equipment firms, and food product companies. Animal scientists work as laboratory scientists and technicians, sales and service representatives, managers, marketers, and consultants.
Animal scientists working in government hold jobs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as agricultural and meat inspectors and at state agricultural agencies as extension workers and agricultural agents. They also conduct research and monitor sanitary and health conditions at the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Public Health Service, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Institutes of Health. State universities hire researchers and community education professionals to work at agricultural research stations and in farming communities.
The job outlook for animal scientists, particularly those with advanced degrees, is expected to be very good up to the year 2005. The role of biotechnology in animal growth and production will require more specially trained animal scientists in the coming years. Job openings will exceed the number of qualified applicants because enrollment in agricultural science curriculums has dropped considerably during the past few years. Job growth in government will be slower due to budget constraints, but ample opportunities exist due to yearly employee turnover.
SALARY STATISTICS
According to the College Placement Council, beginning salary offers in the early 1990s for graduates with a bachelor's degree in animal science averaged $19,719 per year. Entry-level animal scientists holding a bachelor's degree can expect to earn between $22,717 and $24,231 in the federal government, depending upon experience. Job seekers with a master's degree will earn between $27,789 and $29,641 while those with a Ph.D. can expect a salary of $33,623 to $35,865. According to the American Association of University Professors, the average starting salary for a agribusiness professor in 1992 was $35,092. The average salary for a tenured professor was $54,209, while part-time instructors earned about $27,000. The average salary for a federal employee working as an animal scientist was $48,827 in 1991. See "Tips for Job Hunters" for a complete description of federal salaries and benefits.
