Labor Shortages Hold Back Growth of Advanced Breeding Programs in Latin America

Expansive plans for cattle breeding programs are facing an obstacle in Latin America that tends to attract less attention than genetics or productivity of breeding herds. Timed insemination, embryo transfer, or any other breeding techniques requiring proper field management rely on sufficient personnel availability, and ranches have started to realize their shortages in terms of skilled labor force.

Labor constraints become apparent when breeding programs require perfect timing. Coordination of veterinarian groups, animal handling specialists and reproductive technicians can become complicated on big territories. Scheduling problems and poor preparations for breeding cycles can significantly decrease pregnancy rates regardless of genetics used.

Labor problems affect not only producers but also suppliers of cattle breeding services. Reproductive specialists are not equally present in all rural areas engaged in cattle farming. Companies developing new territories may face insufficient supply of labor resources and need reproductive technicians to cover broader regions at the same time.

Problems associated with labor also include travel requirements. Longer transportation routes can restrict number of breeding procedures performed on one day by reproductive technicians, and unfavorable weather conditions may affect animal delivery, storage of biological material, etc. All these constraints affect the amount of work done by technicians within the limited timeframe.

In the meanwhile, producers themselves start to understand the importance of having internal reproduction specialists due to difficulties with scheduling of outside specialists. Larger producers tend to spend more money on reproductive specialists who will provide more consistent performance, but they will face higher costs of labor and higher education needs.

Another issue with labor is retaining reproductive specialists working in the ranch. Skilled workers may become irreplaceable during breeding period as breeding techniques usually require practical experience in the field rather than just theoretical knowledge provided by training programs. The departure of specialist will have long-term consequences on herd productivity.

As with the rest of technologies used for cattle breeding, equipment usage is directly related to available labor force as well. Proper sanitation, handling and storage require certain knowledge of the technology that must be provided to personnel. Expansion of technical infrastructure without sufficient labor force will result in unpredictable results that can undermine efficiency of reproduction program.

Small producers are particularly affected by lack of sufficient labor as they are unable to finance full-time reproduction specialists. Small ranchers tend to use shared networks of reproductive specialists who are not available everywhere and at all times. Thus, breeding seasons of these producers may shift depending on reproductive specialists' availability, which affects herd performance.

Labor shortage problems are influencing vendor strategy in cattle breeding. Some producers simplify breeding process by changing protocols for technicians or offer simplified versions of services. Other companies focus on partnership with producers in order to train technicians.

Despite efforts to improve herd productivity by means of more effective reproductive programs, pressure in this market will remain strong. In order to succeed, however, it is necessary to address issues regarding labor resources and technicians' skills.