Ranch Livestock Herder

Job description

Workers will primarily perform cattle ranch and livestock handling duties, including feeding, watering, monitoring herd health, pasture management, fencing, and related ranch activities. Workers may also perform incidental agricultural duties associated with the employer’s farming operation, including maintenance and harvesting activities directly related to the ranch operation.

Monitor and herd cattle on the range to ensure proper grazing and protection from predators.

Assist with calving, including observation, birthing assistance, and care of newborn calves.

Perform branding, tagging, and vaccination of livestock.

Doctor sick or injured animals, including administering medication as directed.

Wean calves and manage herd movement between pastures.

Maintain and repair perimeter and interior fencing to contain livestock.

Ensure livestock have access to adequate feed and forage; monitor grazing conditions.

Maintain and repair water systems, including a pipeline system that distributes water throughout the ranch.

Operate and maintain ranch equipment necessary for livestock care and range maintenance.

Perform other duties related to the care and handling of livestock as needed.

The majority of the workdays (more than 50% of the contract period) will be spent on the range, as defined in 20 CFR 655.201. The worker will be on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the livestock.

Special Requirements

Required to: perform tasks capably and efficiently without close supervision. Spend the majority workdays on the range. Live and work singly or in small groups of workers in isolated areas for extended periods of time. To ride, handle and tend horses and livestock. Work outdoors in all types of weather and may experience occasional exposure to hazards such as poisonous snakes, biting insects and extreme temperature. Attend animals during all hours of the day as required for their safety and well-being. Maintain and manage remote housing locations in a safe and responsible manner. Work with and around farm machinery such as tractors for supplemental feeding purposes and ATVs for movement of livestock . Demonstrate commonsense and awareness of safe equine handling procedures , i.e. No running in barns, shouting, abusing animals , leaving gates/ stall doors/feed rooms open or smoking in or around barns , etc.