Agricultural Careers

Alternate Animal Agriculture

By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

Georgia Department of Education

June 2005

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What does an Alternate Animal Producer do?

•Provide proper feed, light, and temperature for production

•Arrange for the marketing and selling of product

•Educate the public about the benefits of your species

•Research needs of the animal in order to provide most beneficial living conditions and nutritional needs

•Provide adequate and necessary shelter for the animals

•Administer all vaccinations, de-worming, etc., for the animals

What kind of qualities and skills are needed?

In order to succeed in alternate animal agriculture one must posses a good work ethic, enjoy working outside with animals, and be creative in marking and production.

Alternate animal agriculture enterprises are risky businesses to get into.

In order to promote and market your business effectively one must also possess good communications and public relations skills, business management skills, and have a pleasant personality.

Most work will be done by oneself, so the ability to work independently is beneficial.

What is my salary?

The salary varies greatly with the animal, the size of the farm and the current market for each individual species.

Most people involved in this type of agriculture are self-employed and their income depends on how well their business does for that year.

There is no way to estimate a salary for these types of careers due to the fact that prices for these products are based on a constantly changing market.

What are the conditions of the work environment?

•Most work is done outdoors in all weather conditions

•Work hours depend on the size of the farm and whether or not the farm is supplemental or full-time. Duties can take from 10 to 40+ hours per week

•Typically involves dirty work associated with the care and production of any animals

•Surroundings may have an odor

Becoming an Alternate Animal Producer…

Other Careers You Might Want to ExploreAnimal ScientistBeef ProducerFarm Manager

Game Animal FarmerSwine Producer

To Learn More and Prepare for this CareerYou should take as many agriculture classes as possible,

especially those related to production agriculture. Working a summer or part-time job with the desired species or an industry related to that species in order to gain a greater

knowledge of the industry would be very helpful.

Professional Organizations

American Rabbit Breeders AssociationPO Box 426 Bloomington, IL 61702Internet: http://www.arba.net

American Ostrich AssociationP.O. Box 163Ranger, Texas 76470Internet: http://www.ostriches.org

American Donkey and Mule SocietyPO Box 1210Lewisville, TX 75067Internet: http://www.lovelongears.com/

North American Deer Farmer Association1720 W. Wisconsin Ave.Appleton, WI  54914-3254Internet: http://www.nadefa.org