Dairy Science

Dairy science explores the technology and science behind the production of milk and milk products like cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream and casein. Dairy science professionals must learn everything from raising cattle to managing a dairy plant.

Inside Dairy Science

Dairy science focuses on the production and manufacturing of all dairy products, including milk. Entering this field requires knowledge of animal nutrition, reproduction, lactation and business. Dairy scientists must be able to produce a healthy dairy herd, inspect dairy products and assist with dairy farm management.

Associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs are all available to students who want to study dairy science. Students who enroll in dairy science degree programs can learn about dairy breeds, genetics and dairy processing, in addition to a variety of business and accounting skills needed to sustain a successful dairy farm. Some dairy science programs are combined with animal science and may also fulfill pre-veterinarian education requirements.

Graduates with an associate's or a bachelor's degree might pursue a lower-level management job at a dairy processing center. An undergraduate degree can also prepare individuals to work as dairy specialists, pharmaceutical representatives, herdsmen or dairy farm inspectors. Those with master's degrees may oversee dairy operations or teach in the animal health industry. Those with a dairy science doctoral degree typically teach and conduct research.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers was not favorable (www.bls.gov). Employment of farmers was expected to decline by eight percent from 2008-2018. The BLS reported that the best job prospects would be reserved for agricultural managers, with employment of these professionals predicted to rise by six percent over the next decade. According to O*Net Online, the median annual wage for farm and ranch managers as of 2010 was $60,750 (www.onetonline.org). For more specific wage statistics, Payscale.com reported that manufacturing production managers of dairy products earned a median salary of $68,467 annually as of January 2012, while dairy production supervisors made a median salary of $55,610 during the same time.

Learn More About Dairy Science

If you're interested in pursuing a degree or career in dairy science, there are a variety of options open to you. You can explore different job fields and online educational programs through Education-Portal.com. These sources offer valuable information that can help you decide if you want to work in dairy production as a scientist, manager, teacher or salesperson.

Degree Options

You can earn a degree or certificate in dairy science to begin a career in this field. Most degree programs also concentrate on animal science and might provide you with the preparation needed to apply to veterinary school.

Career Options

Once you've earned a degree in dairy science, you can pursue multiple career options. You might focus on the science behind dairy production by becoming a dairy technologist, or you might take on a leadership positions as a dairy farm supervisor or manager. Here are a few options that you can explore.

Distance Learning Options

There are few distance learning options available in dairy science, but you can find online programs in the broader field of animal science. Read on to learn how online courses can be a convenient way to begin your studies.

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