Career opportunities

Animal Science is an integral part of agricultural production and the work environment of an animal scientist encompasses the production chain from primary farming level, animal feed formulation, selection and breeding of farm animals and wildlife to the marketing and processing of the final products. In each of these links of this value chain, there are career opportunities for Animal scientists.

Depending on the level of specialisation in animal science, career opportunities may be found in the following fields:

• The animal husbandry industry (including feedlots or abattoirs)
• The animal feed industry (e.g., feed formulation, sales and production)
• Animal breeding organisations(e.g., breeders’ societies, SA Stud Book)
• Private consultancy and advisory services
• The animal reproduction industry (e.g., semen and embryo collection and artificial insemination companies)
• Educational institutions (e.g., universities, technical colleges)
• Legislative/regulative institutions (e.g., Department of Agriculture)
• Research institutions (e.g., the Agricultural Research Council)