Open Range Production Of Livestock

Job description

Beginning on Feb 1 when livestock are moved to transitional range lands, the PRODUCTION season begins. Each year before the lambs are born, the jugs/pens need to be repaired, cleaned and prepared for the lambing season. Before lambing begins, the ewes need to be sheared and moved to areas near the lambing barns. Lambing is done both on the range and in barns depending on the specific situation of the ewe. This season is a critical phase in the production cycle of livestock.

Livestock feeding and management are essential to the success of the season. It is during these last weeks of pregnancy that there is a need for increased feed, primarily to a more nutrient rich diet. Extra nutrition is needed to support fetal growth. Worker will be responsible for helping move animals to staging areas, and monitoring animals closely during the last weeks of pregnancy to be sure they are in good health before Parturition.

During that time the worker will assist with the birthing of approximately 500 ewes. The worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge sheep, and experience with animal nutrition and parturition (birthing) along with the ability to monitor livestock to determine readiness to give birth.

Assisting livestock with delivery, maintaining a clean environment. Livestock will need to be checked regularly during the 24-hour day, as animals can give birth around the clock. Knowledge of and ability to determine normal and abnormal parturition situations. Monitor livestock closely to help prevent problems. Ability to determine when assistance is required. Monitor health/growth and nutrition of newborn livestock. Monitor to ensure that newborn is nursing, taking in colostrum and milk. If newborns are not nursing as needed, supplement and assist as needed to ensure growth. Bottle feeding as necessary.

Once the animals have given birth, it is important that the livestock pairs do not break the bond. At this point livestock pairs are separated from pregnant animals. We give extra attention to moving the pairs back to the herd. Animal pairs are moved back to transitional range as they grow in size and strength. Care must be given to their health and welfare including doctoring and ill animals and maintain vigilance over their prescience when night penning. Predation must be monitored and mitigated with human presence night penning and guardian dogs. During this time frame, the worker will assist with the following: Animal vaccinations, castration, and docking tails. Have lambing supplies prepared and ready for use. The season ends on June 15th when flocks are moved to summer rangelands.