International Livestock Management
Bachelor of Animal Husbandry
Career opportunities
Every company or farm has to gain their income in a kind of supply chain, dominated by the consumers demands. But beyond the pure economical interest, people have demands on what is happening at the farm. These people have representing organisations: governments, NGO's, farmers organisations and commercial organisations, who use their influence and power to persuade farmers to improve the farming system and its produce. As a result of this, animal health, animal welfare, food quality, rural development, social and sustainability issues are now very important in the daily farming practice. Within this complicated setting the livestock sector is in need for specialists and managers who are able to combine these elements into profitable farming practices. Important attitude aspects are: flexible, open minded, independent, decisive, socio-communicative, objective oriented and pro-active.
As a graduate of the course Livestock Management you are ready for staff, management and advisory positions related to the primary production. The activities and dilemma's you can come across are varied: to make choices on what kind of actions need to be taken on animal husbandry farms in specific circumstances, when to intervene in common farming processes, what kind of technology (investments) to use, how to improve quality, how to reduce costs, how to improve production etc.
Graduates work all over the world, for example as managers of dairy farms in Eastern Europe, Denmark, Southern Africa or New Zealand. They also work in the feedstuff industry, in animal trading companies, as experts on international projects, in government service, and in business. Others choose to become farmers or to become active in the agribusiness in the Netherlands. They have developed a strong international attitude and a broad view on new situations within the livestock sector.
This bachelor's degree also offers opportunities for a further study in animal science. For example, graduates will qualify for enrolment in the MSc programme in Animal Sciences and Aquaculture at Wageningen University and Research Centre.
Alex van der Voorn from the Netherlands
'Flying consultant' for Hybro BV
"Hybro is an international poultry-breeder that markets its products in 120 different countries. I am responsible for the technical performance of Hybro poultry in my region. This means that I spend half my time travelling to farms, mainly in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Yemen, where, together with the customer, I assess the birds and their performance. In my current job, I am constantly drawing on the experience I gained during my foreign placements at Van Hall Larenstein. Hardly a moment goes by without me realising how much I benefited from the experience I gained there, working with other cultures and in other languages. And I also notice that I tackle my work in much the same way we approached our study assignments."
Wouter Spaik from the Netherlands
Advisor
"I wanted to study animal husbandry, but I did not know what kind of future I could expect - to become a farmer, perhaps, or an advisor or specialist making a lot of farm visits. During my studies I went abroad to New Zealand. I also spent a work placement at the Dutch Animal Sciences Group interviewing the largest dairy farmers in the Netherlands, examining the options for creating a 'dairy innovation' interactive database - an alternative learning tool for dairy farmers. I am now working for a Dutch feed-producer in Germany. I am currently an advisor, but may still become a farmer myself."
"The course provided me with a change in my way of thinking."
"They are always in need of well-trained young professionals."