Livestock And Grain Crop Farmworker

Job description

Crops Grown: Small Grain and livestock
Drive tractors and balers, and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest grain, hay, and/or oilseed crops. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing, weed spraying, mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking. Operate grain carts. Transport hay and grain crops to storage facility.

Perform manual and/or mechanized duties associated with the breeding, care, and raising of livestock on a ranch. Feed and water livestock. Herd livestock to pasture for grazing. Herd animals into corral and/or stall. Manually restrain the animal. Maintain/repair fences used to contain herd animals. Clean and maintain calving stalls and barns. Maintain corrals, including removal of manure.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles.

Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. Assist with farm building, field, and equipment maintenance and repairs.

Set-up, maintain, and operate irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.

Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions.

Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.
Employer-paid post-hire drug testing is required upon reasonable suspicion of use. Clean driving record required. Must have or be able to obtain driver's license within 30 days following hire. Workers with appropriate licenses and a valid doctor's certificate may be asked to drive other workers. Transportation of other workers will be in conjunction with the farming operation. Transportation will occur in company owned and insured pick-up trucks or other multi-purpose vehicles, and stops may include, but are not limited to: worksites, housing, grocery stores, and places of worship.
Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of agricultural experience working in a grain/oilseed farm or livestock farm or ranch handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to obtain a drivers license within 30 days of hire. Additional hours may be offered during peak season periods. Endure extensive sitting, walking, prolonged bending and reaching, continuous lifting and carrying of up to 60 lbs., working in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Hazardous occupation. Must be 18 or older. Employer is a Drug Free Workplace. Drug testing is conducted upon suspicion at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process.