311113 — Animal Husbandry Technician

Assists Livestock Farmers and Farm Managers in breeding, raising and managing livestock by undertaking technical animal husbandry tasks such as pregnancy testing, artificial insemination, lactation management and providing nutrition assessment and advice.

• examining topographical, physical and soil characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use and identify nutrient deficiencies
• assisting in developing new methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops to achieve optimum land usage
• identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops, livestock and aquatic stock, and assisting in devising methods of control
• examining environmental and other factors that influence the growth, health and production of aquatic stock
• analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality
• monitoring livestock and aquatic stock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
• assisting in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved crop, livestock and aquatic stock strains
• artificially inseminating livestock for breeding purposes
• providing advice on breeding selection and techniques
• providing advice, training and technical support and services on technology solutions such as sensors, farm management software, data and robotics
• installing, programming, testing, repairing and maintaining animal and crop health monitoring equipment
• developing, operating and maintaining complex technological systems and equipment used in farm production, including analysing data and preparing reports
• applying geospatial and other technology systems to support primary production such as automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applications and surveying equipment
• arranging the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to Farmers and Farm Managers, and giving advice on their use
• collecting and collating data for research and animal husbandry purposes
• may advise producers on farming techniques and management and production processes