Livestock Artificial Insemination Technician
If you have business skills but aren’t looking for a typical 9 to 5 in a lifeless cubicle then, you might be surprised, but you could become a livestock artificial insemination technician. Most people that work in the industry are self-employed, which is why you need savvy business skills to get your name out there!
So… Why does such a job even exist? Livestock farmers are in increasing need of technicians in order to create strong herds. For example, one bull might service up to 100 cows per year, but that’s not nearly enough to keep up with demand.
Artificial insemination technicians could help increase those numbers to well over 60,000 by collecting sperm from the bull (or any other male animal) and injecting it through the female’s cervix when she is in peak heat. This means that technicians also need to detect when females come into heat and keep detailed records. Obviously, animal handling skills are also required!
You could learn how to artificially inseminate in as little as three days, but most employers require additional qualifications. A degree in animal husbandry, livestock or other similar fields could boost your chances of getting a job. Many technicians could also start off by working as general animal technicians, a job that entails feeding and watering animals on top of taking care of their facilities.
Of course, no job comes without dangers. Technicians use liquid nitrogen which could cause severe frostbite when coming in contact with human flesh. There’s also the risk of an animal injuring them if not completely restrained. And how could we forget to mention the dreaded insemination arm fatigue which occurs when an animal has strong contractions… within…
