Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Agricultural Production Operations
Focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individuals for work in farming, ranching, and agribusiness.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 10 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Agricultural Production Operations, General
- Focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individuals for work in farming, ranching, and agribusiness.
- Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production
- Prepares you to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals. Covers basic animal science, animal nutrition, and animal health as applied to various species and breeds; design and operation of housing, feeding, and processing facilities; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply.
- Aquaculture
- Prepares you to select, culture, propagate, harvest, and market domesticated fish, shellfish, and marine plants, both freshwater and saltwater. Covers the basic principles of aquatic and marine biology; health and nutrition of aquatic and marine life; design and operation of fish farms, breeding facilities, culture beds, and related enterprises; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply.
- Crop Production
- Prepares you to cultivate grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products. Covers basic principles of plant science, health, and nutrition as applied to particular species and breeds; soil preparation and irrigation; pest management; planting and harvesting operations; product marketing; and applicable issues of safety, regulation, logistics, and supply.
- Dairy Husbandry and Production
- Prepares you to manage the selection and care of dairy animals and associated dairy farm and processing facilities and operations. Covers basic animal and dairy science; dairy animal nutrition and health; design and operation of dairy housing, feeding, and processing facilities and equipment; and related issues of safety, sanitation, shipping and handling, and applicable regulations.
- Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management
- Prepares you to manage the selection, breeding, care, and maintenance of work, athletic, and show horses; and to manage horse farms, stables, tracks and related equipment and operations. Covers applicable principles of animal science, care, and health; stable and track management; design and operation of facilities and equipment; and related issues such as regulations, business management; and logistics.
- Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
- Focuses on agricultural principles and practices that, over the long term, enhance environmental quality, make efficient use of nonrenewable resources, integrate natural biological cycles and controls, and are economically viable and socially responsible; and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of agricultural and environmental problems. Covers principles of agroecology, crop and soil sciences, entomology, horticulture, animal science, weed science and management, soil fertility and nutrient cycling, applied ecology, agricultural economics, and rangeland ecology and watershed management.
- Viticulture and Enology
- Moved from 01.0309 to 01.1004
- Apiculture
- Focuses on improving the beekeeping industry, promoting pollination of fruits and vegetables, and bee colony expansion and maintenance. Covers apiary behavior, apiary equipment and supplies, beekeeping, bee pests and parasites, handling bees, hive set up and care, queen rearing, and seasonal management practices.
- Agricultural Production Operations, Other
- Agricultural production operations not listed above.
Also called Agroecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming
Also called Scientific Beekeeping, Apiary Management
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Median pay
- $89,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.4%
- Job openings a year
- 70,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyFirst-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Median pay
- $59,320
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 7,200
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career ShrinkingFarmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
- Median pay
- $36,670
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 26,600
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career Growing with the economyAgricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $98,700
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.9%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingFarm and Home Management Educators
- Median pay
- $60,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyAnimal Breeders
- Median pay
- $51,130
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.0%
- Job openings a year
- 1,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingConservation Scientists
- Median pay
- $73,010
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSoil and Plant Scientists
- Median pay
- $78,850
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.7%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingAnimal Scientists
- Median pay
- $68,940
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.8%
- Job openings a year
- 200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $101,420
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.8%
- Job openings a year
- 100
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $33,073 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 24 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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