A breeding technician is responsible for the successful breeding programme of cows within a dairy herd to high welfare standards and to ensure a sustainable farm business.
Also known as artificial insemination (AI) technician.
This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.
Cow health and wellbeing are priorities on a dairy farm, as poor health can lead to a range of illnesses and problems, such as poor fertility.
Some health problems can be caused by external factors, such as pathogens, which cause disease, whereas others are passed down through genes. Therefore, many dairy farms in the UK now use artificial insemination (AI) for their dairy cows as it provides the farmer access to the best bull genetics, such as good health traits, fertility, milk production, and behaviour.
As a breeding technician, you would need to have good experience working with cattle. You will be fully trained in how to safely inseminate cows using straws of semen collected from the selected bull.
AI bulls are also carefully monitored for any genetic issue that may be passed down to their offspring. Selecting bulls that are well-behaved or those that have not developed horns can also provide improved safety to those who work closely with the livestock.
When a cow is at her most fertile, she will show specific signs of behaviour known as ‘heat.’ This is when she is most likely to conceive. As a breeding technician, you would be responsible for monitoring the dairy herd, identifying any signs of heat, and ensuring the safe handling and thawing of semen straws that have been stored in liquid nitrogen.
Other livestock, such as sheep, pigs, or cattle that are raised for meat, can also be artificially inseminated.
You’ll be part of a team, working with the farm manager, owner, vets, and nutritionists to achieve the best results. Good communication skills are essential to identify any issues and relay data.
There are opportunities to work on one specific farm, especially if the herd is large, or you could also choose to work for a cattle genetics business where you would visit different farms. For this role, you will need to have a full driver’s licence, although a work vehicle is usually provided.
As a breeding technician, your responsibilities might include:
To work as a breeding technician, you should be:
To become a breeding technician, you do not necessarily require a degree or other animal science or agriculture qualification. However, you will require previous experience working with cattle and a good understanding of cattle health, welfare, and production.
You must also be fully trained in the AI of livestock. You may be offered training by your employer, or you could consider doing a course (usually three days) with a local training provider or veterinary practice that specialises in livestock.
You could also consider a relevant apprenticeship where you could develop knowledge and skills in livestock health.
As a breeding technician, you’ll have the following competencies in relation to taking responsibility for the successful breeding of livestock through effective AI techniques. You will:
The salary for a breeding technician is in the region of £26,000 to £30,000 per year.
This figure is for a full-time permanent position depending on level of experience, business type and location.
Within the agriculture and horticulture sectors there are often many associated benefits that are not reflected in the headline salary. These can include accommodation being provided or subsidised, travel pay, profit shares, vehicle use and production/performance bonuses.
As a breeding technician, you may choose to gain further experience in your role by working for a genetics business where you would provide AI services across many farms. This role would particularly suit someone who enjoys building customer relationships with different farmers.
You could also explore other roles on the farm, such as senior herdsperson or herd manager. However, if you enjoy the scientific nature of livestock breeding, there are many opportunities within businesses that specialise in livestock genetics, such as roles within sales, lab services, and genomic testing. Some of these roles may require a specific qualification.
Courses which can help you on this career path include:
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Agriculture
Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Agriculture
BSc Agricultural and Livestock Science
BSc Animal Science
Apprenticeships
Livestock Unit Technician Level 3
Vet Technician (Livestock) Level 5
For more information on career inspiration and lots of varied job profiles visit The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture’s website
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