Livestock Worker

Work description

SOC 45-2093 — 100% of work performed. From January through March, during the winter confinement and calving season, employees provide intensive daily care for Cattle/Cow/Calf as freezing temperatures and winter storms increase the need for regular feeding, water access, and close animal observation. Employees prepare feed mixtures and distribute feed to animals, check drinking-water supplies, and clean troughs, tanks, and watering equipment so cattle have uninterrupted access to water in cold conditions. They observe animals for illness, injury, distress, or changes in feeding behavior, count, weigh, identify, and sort animals into designated groups, and move animals between pastures, pens, barns, and handling areas as cattle are managed through winter feeding and calving activities. Employees assist with breeding activities and pregnancy checks as directed, monitor animals during birthing, assist with newborn care, apply identification tags, and assist with vaccinations or other prescribed animal-care procedures, while also separating animals requiring treatment or additional observation. They load and unload animals for movement or sale when needed, clean pens, stalls, barns, chutes, and animal-handling areas, and remove animal waste and replace bedding where required to keep confinement areas functional during the season. Because cattle must continue moving between winter feeding areas, employees repair fences, gates, livestock enclosures, and watering systems, remove snow and debris from electric fences, ensure fences remain operational, and construct temporary fencing as needed. To support these animal-care duties, employees operate feeding equipment, tractors, loaders, or farm vehicles used in animal care and maintain records of animal identification, births, treatments, and movements throughout the winter confinement and calving period. Job requires exposure to extreme outdoor temperatures, extensive pushing or pulling, extensive sitting or walking, frequent stooping or bending over, repetitive movements, and lifting up to 75 lbs. Must possess a valid, standard, non-commercial driver's license (e.g., Class C, D, R, E, F or 3 depending on state).