Open Range Production Of Livestock

Job description

March 1- June 14. At this time we are preparing for lambing (Parturition). The herder helps prepare pens for the different stages of lambing season and gathers the sheep to move to the lambing grounds from the winter range. The herder has many tasks at this is the time to help prepare for, such as getting the sheep shorn, separated into smaller lambing groups, separating the bucks back out and the dry ewes. As the lambing season commences, the pairs are put into their own groups until they are ready to be mixed together in larger groups in preparation of going back to the summer range. Worker must demonstrate a knowledge of livestock. Worker must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 100 pounds. Most duties are performed out-of-doors and entail exposure to extreme heat and cold; dust, rain, snow, and wind; and herding hazards; poisonous snakes and predators common in range lands. General supervision will be provided by the ranch owner. A minimum of 6 months’ experience is required. Driving is required on ranch only. No Driver's License Required. The Open Range Livestock Herder will be required to be On-Call 24/7 and live and work on the range more than 50% of the time.

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.

The worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge of sheep, and experience with animal nutrition and parturition 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 ewes have given birth, it is important that the livestock pairs do not break the bond. At this point livestock pairs are separated from pregnant ewes. We give extra attention to moving the pairs back to the herd. Animal pairs are progressively moved into larger groups 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.

Special Requirements

None