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Animal Breeders

SOC 45-2021.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparation

Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigrees.

Context coveredBeef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, horses, poultry, companion animals, aquaculture; AI, embryo transfer, recordkeeping; commercial farms and breed associations.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Routine animal handling (haltering, restraint, sorting) — perform safely under a senior breeder's review on a commercial ranch.
  2. Estrous detection (visual signs, heat-detection aids) — record accurately on a defined breeding herd.
  3. AI equipment (straws, guns, tanks) — clean, stock, and maintain per the operation's protocol.
  4. Breeding records and identification (tags, tattoos, microchips) — maintain accurately across encounters.
  5. Basic biosecurity (boot baths, clean uniforms, isolation) — apply consistently on the farm.
  6. Stock-handling safety (kick zones, escape routes, weather) — follow without prompting.
  7. Routine pregnancy checks (palpation, ultrasound) — observe and assist a veterinarian.
  8. Semen handling (thawing, transport, storage) — perform per published technique.
  9. Daily feeding and observation on breeding stock — execute reliably with documented notes.
  10. Standard medication administration under directive — perform per protocol with supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Independent AI on routine breeding herds — perform reliably on cattle, swine, or small ruminants.
  2. Heat-detection and timed-AI programs — execute per the operation's protocol with measurable conception rates.
  3. Pedigree records and breed-association registrations — maintain accurately for a commercial operation.
  4. Bull/buck/boar selection by EPDs, indexes, and pedigree — apply with the breeding plan.
  5. Routine calving, farrowing, or lambing — manage with timely escalation to a vet.
  6. Cross-fence and pasture-mating logistics — plan and execute on a working ranch.
  7. Equipment troubleshooting (tanks, ultrasounds, syringes) — perform with documented checklists.
  8. Junior workers and apprentices — train on safety, recordkeeping, and technique.
  9. Standard health programs (vaccinations, parasite control) — administer per veterinarian's protocol.
  10. Breeding-season production records — maintain and summarize for the manager.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Breeding programs across a herd or stud — design, execute, and adjust on conception, health, and genetic gain.
  2. Embryo transfer and synchronization protocols — lead with veterinarians on elite cows or mares.
  3. Genetic-selection strategies — apply using EPDs, GxE, and crossbreeding plans at herd scale.
  4. Breed-association leadership at the local level — contribute through committees and shows.
  5. Replacement-heifer and gilt programs — design and execute for genetic improvement.
  6. Calving/lambing/farrowing season operations — lead a multi-person crew through the cycle.
  7. Sales and consignment programs — manage from selection through delivery and warranty.
  8. Records systems (CalfBook, PigCHAMP, ranch software) — own end-to-end for the operation.
  9. Continuous-improvement projects (heat-stress, fertility, weaning) — pilot and scale.
  10. Junior breeders and breeding-program staff — supervise across a small team.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Strategic breeding plans for a stud, ranch, or multi-farm operation — set direction across years and generations.
  2. Industry partnerships with AI studs, embryo-transfer companies, and veterinary teaching programs — own with sustained outcomes.
  3. Breed-association leadership — hold board or executive roles with measurable program improvements.
  4. Major sales, consignments, and exports — lead at scale with brand-building outcomes.
  5. Genetic improvement programs — direct with quantitative selection tools and benchmarking.
  6. Talent pipelines — build with universities and breed associations to staff the operation and industry.
  7. Capital decisions (genetics inventory, embryo-transfer programs) — own with executive sponsorship.
  8. Disaster planning (disease incursion, weather, market shocks) — lead at operation level.
  9. Industry standards, biosecurity, and welfare programs — advance through committee leadership.
  10. Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through training and certification.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Animal Breeder · Animal Husbandman · Animal Husbandry Technician · Animal Technician · Artificial Insemination Technician (AI Technician) · Artificial Inseminator · Aviculturist · Bee Breeder · Breeder · Canary Breeder · Cat Breeder · Chicken Fancier
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingScienceActive LearningMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge domains
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementBiologyMathematicsAdministrative
Abilities
Near VisionCategory FlexibilityProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningSpeech ClarityOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingArm-Hand SteadinessFinger Dexterity
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailPerseveranceCautiousnessIntegritySelf-Control
Technology
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareInternet browser softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
  2. Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
  3. Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
  4. Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
  5. Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
  6. Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
  7. Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
  8. Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.
CIP education codes
01.030201.030701.0310

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.