A livestock scanner’s role is to use ultrasound technology to check if animals are pregnant, how many offspring they are carrying, and when they are expected to give birth.
Also known as pregnancy scanner, livestock ultrasound technician, livestock sonographer or veterinary 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.
Scanning plays an integral role on livestock farms. It provides farmers with the information needed to effectively manage and support their flocks or herds for the best possible outcomes at lambing or calving. A livestock scanner usually works with sheep and cattle but may also be used for pigs, goats, and llamas.
As a livestock scanner, you’ll use technology such as rectal probes or external scanners, depending on the stage of pregnancy, to generate different images and numerical data. You’d then interpret these images and data to inform the farmer. This information is used to identify if an animal is pregnant, how advanced the gestation is, and if multiple foetuses are present.
However, more advanced analysis or equipment can also be used to identify the sex of the foetus and any abnormalities that may cause an issue at birth. A more recent development has been the use of this type of technology to look at anatomy and muscle structure to generate data about the quality of meat produced.
Once a farmer has information regarding the number of offspring their livestock are carrying, they can make management decisions for their animals, such as how much to feed them, to ensure all are born healthy and the mother remains healthy. This data also means that at lambing/calving/farrowing, farmers will have a better idea of the potential outcomes and how many infant animals to expect. If scanning suggests an animal is not pregnant when expected, farmers can review overall herd/flock data to decide whether the female or the bull/tup/boar being used is infertile and make appropriate management decisions regarding keeping non-productive animals at an earlier stage.
Maintaining good biosecurity in livestock systems is vital to prevent health problems on farms, and you’ll need to consider this when entering new sites and handling livestock.
This is a physical job requiring good fitness and dexterity to manipulate and scan animals. At particularly busy times, this could take the form of extended hours or shift work.
This role will involve travelling from farm to farm and you’ll need your own transport and equipment if you’re running a small business as a contractor. Alternatively, you may work for a business that offers this service and provides the equipment used.
As a livestock scanner, your responsibilities might include:
To work as a livestock scanner, you should be:
As a livestock scanner, you’ll be able to operate technical equipment competently and interpret its output effectively to give farmers useful advice regarding the reproductive potential of their livestock’s gestation.
The role would suit someone with a keen interest in livestock anatomy, reproduction, and technology. They would be passionate about ensuring livestock gestation is correctly analysed for successful animal health and business planning outcomes.
As a livestock scanner, you’ll have the following competencies:
This is a role that may make up part of a larger job. For example, it may be part of the work of a veterinary technician, or a person may set up their own small business in which the workload dictates the hours worked. On this basis, it’s hard to attach a specific level of salary to the role.
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.
A career as a livestock scanner is a good progression from a foundation or level 5 qualification in agriculture.
As a practising livestock scanner, you could further develop your knowledge and skills through additional training courses or study, or you may want to gain experience working with different species to widen your working options.
As mentioned in the full role description, a more experienced scanner using more advanced equipment can do more than confirm early pregnancy, foetus numbers, and track gestation progress. As a very experienced livestock scanner, you may want to progress to working in reproductive technologies, such as embryo transfer.
There’s currently no formal educational requirement to begin scanning but a good knowledge of bovine and ovine anatomy is a good starting point. This would be taught as part of most foundation level (Level 5) Agricultural courses.
There are no formal apprenticeships exclusively related to this role, but it’s something you may wish to progress following the completion of an agriculture-related apprenticeship.
Training is required to operate the equipment, and this is usually a four- or five-day course, which costs around £1,500. The equipment also requires investment and a new mid-range system would be in the region of £6,500, but there are good second-hand options available, and it’s a case of finding a system you find comfortable to work with. Your training course should provide a good opportunity to find a system you work with effectively.
Employers and recruiters who hire for this role include:
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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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