418 Animal Service Occupations

This group includes occupations concerned with furnishing services in support of breeding, raising, caring for animals, and collecting their products.

418.137-010 SUPERVISOR, LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITY (agric.)

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers involved in operations of animal research facility: Plans budget and arranges purchase of items, such as animal feed, medicines, and research instruments. Advises workers regarding requirements of research projects and requirements for compliance with Federal guidelines for operation of research reports. Monitors care and health of animals. Reviews work of personnel to verify accuracy of research and reports and to determine established procedures are followed.

418.381-010 HORSESHOER (agric.) farrier, plater.

Selects aluminum and steel shoes (plates) and fits, shapes, and nails shoes to animals' hooves: Removes worn or defective shoe from hoof, using nail snipers and pincers. Examines hoof to detect bruises and cracks and to determine trimming required. Trims and shapes hoof, using knife and snipers. Measures hoof, using calipers and steel tape. Selects aluminum or steel shoe from stock, according to hoof measurements and animal usage. Places leather pad, sponge, or oakum-pine tar mixture on bruised or cracked hoof for protection. Shapes shoe to fit hoof, using swage, forge, and hammer. Nails shoe to hoof and files hoof flush with shoe. May forge steel bar into shoe. May drive shop truck to worksite.

Injects prepared bull semen into vagina of cows to breed them: Observes animal in heat to detect approach of estrus. Selects semen specimen according to breeding chart and pours semen into breeding syringe. Cleans cow's vulva with soap, water, and antiseptic solution. Insets nozzle of syringe into vagina and depresses syringe plunger to inject seminal fluid. Maintains log of semen specimens used and cows bred. May exercise animal to induce or hasten estrus.

418.384-014 ARTIFICIAL-BREEDING TECHNICIAN (agric.) breeding technician.

Collects and packages bull semen for artificial insemination of cows: Attaches rubber collecting sheath to genital organ of tethered bull, and stimulates animal's organ to excite ejaculation. Examines semen, using microscope, to determine density and mobility of gametes, and dilutes semen with prescribed diluents according to formulas. Transfers required amount of semen to container, using titration tube, and labels it with identifying data, such as date taken, source, quality, and concentration, and records similar data on file cards. Packs container of semen in dry ice or liquid nitrogen for freezing and storage or shipment. May inseminate cows [ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATOR (agric.)].

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

15 November 2004