This Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Artificial Insemination Technician, Breeding Technician, Dairy Fertility Technician or Reproduction Technician. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician |
| Also known as | Artificial Insemination Technician, Breeding Technician, Dairy Fertility Technician, Reproduction Technician |
| Department | Dairy farming |
| Reports to | Herd Manager, with technical direction from the farm vet |
| Direct reports | None |
What does a Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician do?
The AI and Reproduction Technician improves herd fertility by running the farm's artificial insemination and breeding programme. The role detects heats, inseminates cows and heifers, confirms pregnancies, keeps reliable breeding records and trains herd staff in good reproductive practice.
Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician duties and responsibilities
Heat detection and insemination
- Detect and confirm heats using observation, activity monitors and tail paint
- Inseminate cows and heifers at the right time to the agreed protocol
- Handle and thaw semen correctly and maintain liquid nitrogen storage
- Run synchronisation programmes agreed with the vet
Pregnancy diagnosis and fertility
- Scan or palpate cows to confirm pregnancy and find empty cows early
- Identify reproductive disorders and treat them or refer them to the vet
- Work to raise conception rates and shorten calving intervals
Breeding programme and genetics
- Plan breeding to meet the farm's genetic improvement goals
- Assess semen quality and help choose sires
- Use mating plans to avoid inbreeding and match bulls to cows
Records and analysis
- Record every heat, service, scan and treatment accurately and promptly
- Analyse fertility data to spot trends and support decisions
- Report breeding performance to management each month
Standards, teamwork and training
- Follow strict hygiene and biosecurity rules during all reproductive work
- Comply with animal welfare law, industry codes and farm SOPs
- Work with the vet, nutritionist and herd team to improve fertility
- Train herd staff in heat detection, safe handling and biosecure practice
Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician qualifications and experience
Essential
- Recognised certificate in bovine artificial insemination
- Proven experience of AI and heat detection on a commercial dairy farm
- Skill in pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, rectal palpation or both
- Good understanding of dairy cow reproduction and the oestrous cycle
- Experience with herd management and breeding software
Desirable
- Degree or diploma in animal science, veterinary science or a related subject
- Further training in reproductive management or dairy genetics
- Experience on a large, well-run dairy unit
- Evidence of ongoing professional development in reproduction, genetics or biosecurity
Skills and attributes
- Precise AI technique
- Accurate heat detection
- Confident pregnancy diagnosis
- Record keeping and data interpretation
- Clear instruction and coaching of staff
- Attention to welfare and biosecurity
- Analytical approach to improving breeding results
How success is measured
- Heat detection (submission) rate
- Conception rate to first and all services
- Pregnancy rate
- Calving interval and days open
- Accuracy and timeliness of breeding records
Working conditions and safety
Hands-on work with cattle in handling facilities and housing, usually on a daily early-morning routine with weekend cover on a rota. Protective gloves, overalls and boots are worn and safe handling procedures apply at all times.
- Follow health and safety rules and safe systems of work, and wear the correct PPE
- Follow animal welfare, biosecurity and medicine-use procedures at all times
- Report hazards, accidents, near misses and concerns promptly
Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- How do you decide the right time to inseminate a cow, and which signs of heat do you rely on?
What a good answer shows: Understands standing heat, secondary signs and activity data, and times service correctly from the onset of heat. - Talk me through how you handle and thaw a straw of semen, from the tank to the cow.
What a good answer shows: Knows safe canister handling, correct thaw temperature and timing, and protects straws from cold shock and contamination. - How do you run a synchronisation programme and make sure every injection is given on time?
What a good answer shows: Understands protocol timing and the role of each hormone, and uses clear schedules and records so no cow misses a step. - How do you use mating plans to choose sires and avoid inbreeding?
What a good answer shows: Matches bulls to cow traits and farm goals, checks relationships and balances genetic gain against inbreeding risk. - Conception rates have fallen over the last three months. How would you work out why?
What a good answer shows: Reviews records systematically, considers nutrition, heat detection, semen handling and disease, and involves the vet and nutritionist. - Scanning finds an unusually high number of empty cows in one group. What do you do next?
What a good answer shows: Checks the group's records, heat detection and health history, rebreeds promptly and investigates the cause with the vet. - What hygiene and biosecurity steps do you take between cows during insemination and pregnancy scanning?
What a good answer shows: Uses clean gloves and equipment, sanitises between animals and understands how disease can spread through reproductive work. - How do you stay safe when handling liquid nitrogen and working with cows in a crush?
What a good answer shows: Uses PPE, good ventilation and careful tank handling, and plans safe restraint and escape routes around cattle. - How would you help a herdsperson who keeps missing heats improve their heat detection?
What a good answer shows: Coaches patiently with practical signs and simple records, and checks progress rather than blaming. - How would you share monthly fertility results with the herd team so they act on them?
What a good answer shows: Presents simple, clear figures, explains what they mean and agrees practical actions with the team.
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Frequently asked questions
The AI and Reproduction Technician improves herd fertility by running the farm's artificial insemination and breeding programme. The role detects heats, inseminates cows and heifers, confirms pregnancies, keeps reliable breeding records and trains herd staff in good reproductive practice.
Employers usually look for: recognised certificate in bovine artificial insemination; proven experience of AI and heat detection on a commercial dairy farm; skill in pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound, rectal palpation or both.
A Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician usually reports to the Herd Manager, with technical direction from the farm vet.
Yes. Download the free Word template, add your location, contract and salary details, and adapt the duties to your site. You can then advertise the role on Dairy Jobs.
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