Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Animal Scientist
What animal scientists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an animal scientist?
Check animals in a feed trial. From there, the day usually includes research nutrition, design feed rations, and study genetics. Full time, with early farm visits.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an animal scientist working full time.
- Check animals in a feed trial.
- Collect data.
- Formulate a ration.
- Meet a dairy farmer.
- Analyze data.
- Write a report.
- Plan the next trial.
Where animal scientists work
Animal scientists work in labs, farms and offices.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with early farm visits.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Research nutrition
- Design feed rations
- Study genetics
- Study welfare
- Advise producers
- Run trials
- Write reports
Tools you’ll use every day
- Ration software
- Statistical software
- Lab equipment
- Scales
- Herd management software
- Excel
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Work with animals
- Food security impact
- Field and lab
What’s hard
- Farm smells and weather
- Grad degree for research
- Rural locations
- Trial timelines
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love animals and agriculture
- I like science
- I don’t mind farms
- I like research
- I want growing work
- I like advising people
Not sure? Take the free Animal Scientist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Handle animals safely
- Follow biosecurity
- Follow animal welfare rules
- Wear PPE