Livestock Worker

Work description

Job duties include operating machinery including, but not limited to, loaders and livestock feeding machinery. Responsibilities involve assisting with all aspects of calving cows and bred heifers, including monitoring for signs of labor, providing support during delivery, and ensuring proper postnatal care. Newborn calves may need to be lifted and carried to safe or designated areas for treatment and care. Duties also include weaning calves from cows, managing the separation process, monitoring calf health and behavior, and providing appropriate nutrition during the transition. Additional duties include moving and handling livestock in accordance with rotational grazing practices, including relocating cattle between pastures, monitoring livestock during movements, and ensuring adequate access to water and forage. Workers will also perform fencing duties, including installing, repairing, maintaining, and removing permanent and temporary fencing, setting and moving electric fencing used in grazing systems, and maintaining gates and related livestock containment systems. Feeding tasks involve mixing and distributing rations based on livestock nutritional requirements and lifting and handling heavy bags of minerals and supplements. Animals must have clean, consistent access to feed and water, and rations should be adjusted as needed based on health or seasonal conditions. Livestock health must be monitored daily, with signs of illness or injury identified and addressed promptly. Medications and supplements are administered as needed, and support is provided during veterinary visits by gathering and restraining animals, preparing treatment areas, and recording health information. Fly and pest control measures include regularly spraying cattle with appropriate treatments to reduce the impact of flies and other external parasites. Additional duties include cleaning and maintaining barns, pens, and handling areas; managing bedding and manure; and ensuring a clean, safe environment for animals. Tasks are physically demanding and require regularly lifting and carrying heavy items such as hay bales, mineral bags, and newborn calves. There are few typical days and workers may be required to change duties and/or locations often and engage in various general functions. Daily duties may vary depending on crop, weather, and field conditions. The employer reserves the right to increase workers' pay or provide bonuses based on tenure, performance, or other factors that are solely based on the discretion of the employer.