Farm Worker - Livestock

Job description

Job duties include operating and maintaining a variety of farm equipment such as tractors, skid steers, loaders, and feeding machinery to support daily livestock and facility operations.

Feeding tasks involve mixing and distributing rations based on livestock nutritional requirements, lifting and handling heavy bags of minerals and supplements, and moving hay bales manually or with equipment. 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.

Job duties also include assisting with cattle reproduction programs, including artificial insemination (AI) activities. Responsibilities may involve heat detection, proper handling and restraint of cattle, preparation and handling of semen and AI equipment, assisting with insemination procedures under established protocols, and ensuring sanitary conditions during reproductive work.

Additional responsibilities include participating in forage production operations, including the production of hay, baleage, and silage. Duties may involve mowing, raking, baling, wrapping, hauling, stacking, and storing forage crops using appropriate equipment. Equipment used in forage production includes, but is not limited to, mowers, hay rakes, balers, planters, discs, and bush hogs. Employees assist with monitoring crop maturity and weather conditions to ensure proper harvest timing and forage quality. Silage and baleage production tasks may include packing, covering, and maintaining storage areas to preserve feed quality and prevent spoilage.

Fly and pest control measures include regularly spraying cattle with appropriate treatments to reduce the impact of flies and other external parasites, especially during warm months. Additional duties include cleaning and maintaining barns, pens, and handling areas; managing bedding and manure; and ensuring a clean, safe environment for animals.

Routine inspections and preventative maintenance of farm equipment, buildings, and infrastructure are required, along with basic mechanical repairs. Tasks are physically demanding and require regularly lifting and carrying heavy items such as hay bales, mineral bags, forage materials, 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.

Special Requirements

Job requires having or being able to obtain a drivers license within 30 days of hire. Basic English literacy skills are required. Job will require periods when workers may be exposed to varying weather conditions and extensive pushing, pulling, sitting, walking, stooping, bending, or repetitive movements. Random drug testing and criminal background checks may occur post-hire at the employers expense. These checks may be performed to ensure safe housing and work environments for all workers. Positive drug test results or refusal to comply with testing may result in termination of employment. If the employer discovers a criminal conviction record or status as a registered sex offender that the employer reasonably believes, consistent with current law, will impair the safety and living conditions of other workers, the employer may terminate the worker (foreign and/or domestic) with notification to OFLC and DHS in accordance with 20 CFR 655.122(n).