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Livestock Breeder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Urus Group LP

Research Geneticist

Watertown, WI · On-site

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and ...

Farm Systems

Research Geneticist

Watertown, WI · On-site

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and ...

URUS Group

Research Geneticist

Watertown, WI · On-site

$102K - $127K/yr

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and ...

Alta Genetics

Research Geneticist

Watertown, WI · On-site

$102K - $127K/yr

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and ...

BECO

General Manager, Farm

VA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Oversee planting, growing, harvest, storage, livestock breeding, feeding, health, finishing, and movement to processing. * Manage land, water, soil fertility, irrigation, and conservation practices.

Pitts Angus Farms

Be Seen First

Ranch Hand

Hermitage, MO · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

... in breeding, calving, and herd performance. Housing available; weekends and holidays on a rotation basis required. Key Responsibilities * Daily livestock care: feed, water, monitor health, and ...

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Livestock Breeder information

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$36.5K

$69.7K

$97.5K

How much do livestock breeder jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for livestock breeder in the United States is $69,653.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a livestock breeder?

Livestock breeders are professionals who specialize in mating and raising animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other farm animals to produce offspring with desirable traits. Their work involves selecting animals with the best genetics, overseeing breeding programs, and monitoring the health and growth of the animals. Livestock breeders play a crucial role in improving the quality, productivity, and resilience of livestock herds for agricultural purposes. They may also work with veterinarians and use modern technology to track lineage and ensure the well-being of the animals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a livestock breeder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Livestock Breeder, you need expertise in animal genetics, breeding techniques, animal husbandry, and usually a background in agricultural science or a related field. Familiarity with herd management software, genetic evaluation tools, and sometimes certifications in animal care or breeding are typically required. Strong observational skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for success. These skills and qualities ensure the health and productivity of livestock, efficient breeding programs, and sustainable farm operations.

What are some common challenges faced by livestock breeders, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Livestock breeders often face challenges such as maintaining animal health, managing breeding schedules, and ensuring genetic diversity. Issues like disease outbreaks or low fertility rates can impact productivity, so breeders must stay vigilant with herd health monitoring and work closely with veterinarians. Additionally, balancing selective breeding goals with animal welfare and market demands requires careful planning and record-keeping. Collaborating with agricultural extension agents and using technology for data tracking can help overcome these challenges and support successful breeding outcomes.

What is the difference between Livestock Breeder vs Livestock Farmer?

AspectLivestock BreederLivestock Farmer
Primary FocusSelective breeding to improve livestock traitsRaising livestock for meat, milk, or other products
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, breeding farmsPastures, farms, rural areas
CredentialsAnimal science knowledge, breeding certificationsGeneral farming experience, sometimes certifications
Industry UsageSpecialized breeding programs, genetic improvementCommercial livestock production

While both roles involve working with livestock, a Livestock Breeder specializes in selective breeding to enhance specific traits, often working in research or specialized farms. A Livestock Farmer focuses on raising animals for production purposes, such as meat or dairy, in more traditional farm settings. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the livestock industry.

How do you become a livestock breeder?

To become a livestock breeder, you typically need a background in animal science or agriculture, which can be gained through a high school diploma or higher education such as a degree in animal science or related fields. Practical experience working with animals, knowledge of breeding techniques, and understanding of animal health are essential, and some breeders pursue certifications or apprenticeships to improve their skills and credibility.

What cities are hiring for Livestock Breeder jobs?

Cities with the most Livestock Breeder job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Livestock Breeder jobs?

The top employers for Livestock Breeder jobs are:

What states have the most Livestock Breeder jobs?

States with the most job openings for Livestock Breeder jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Livestock Breeder jobs?

For Livestock Breeder jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Livestock Breeder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Livestock Breeder job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,653 per year, or $33.5 per hour.

Research Geneticist

Watertown, WI • On-site

Urus Group LP
Crop Farming • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Urus Group LPexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and research initiatives. Position is based in Watertown, Wisconsin.

Required: PhD in Animal Science, Quantitative Genetics or a related field and 5 years of experience as a Research Scientist in Quantitative Genetics. In addition, the following specific skills are required: 

  • 5 years of experience with the genomic evaluation process, including ingestion and editing of data from the field, integration of field data with pedigree and genomic information, imputation of genotypes to a common set of variants used for prediction, estimation of (co)variance components, and prediction of breeding values;
  • 5 years of experience with livestock production;
  • 5 years of experience with constructing software pipelines to automate routine tasks, including data ingestion, storage, editing, and analysis;
  • 5 years of experience with basic bioinformatics procedure, such as alignment of whole-genome DNA sequence data against reference genomes, simple variant calling, and downstream analysis of variant effects on gene structure/function;
  • 5 years of experience with using computers for research, including statistical software (e.g., ASReml, BLUPF90, R, or Python) and Microsoft Office; and,
  • Must be willing and able to travel 10% domestic or international. 

Alta Genetics is a global leader in the production, marketing, and distribution of beef and dairy cattle genetics worldwide, with retail operations in 14 markets and partners in more than 55 wholesale markets. We provide dairy and beef consulting services and solutions in cow activity and health monitoring, calf nutrition, reproduction, and herd management programs. Through industry-leading training and development programs, Alta Genetics aspires to be the most resourceful, valuable, and trusted partner for progressive dairy farms and beef ranches that nourish the world through sustainable and profitable operations.

Alta has deep roots in the industry through its origin within the URUS family of companies. As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry - Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS.  Each organization has its unique identity, products, and services. These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS has 9 brands in 17 retail countries and employs nearly 2,800 people globally.


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