Open Range Production Of Livestock Parturition (lambing)

Job description

Parturition (lambing) takes place on the range. Starting on or around March 1, the worker will begin preparing for the season. The worker will be responsible for moving nannies to staging areas and to monitor animals. 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.
Locations vary, worker will need to help determine which locations offer good cover and few obstacles to the movement of the nannies and kids. The staging before kidding is strategically located near the kidding area and has high quality and abundant feed. It is very important to try to keep very high-quality forage in front of the animals just before birthing/kidding. Prepare temporary, movable shelters to be used during bad weather spells.

Parturition begins in April and lasts for about 6 weeks. During that time the worker will assist with the birthing of approximately 1000 animals. The worker must be able to demonstrate knowledge of goats, sheep and cattle 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 newborns are 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 nannies have given birth, it is important that the livestock pairs do not break the bond. At this point we give extra attention to moving the pairs back to the herd. During this time frame the worker will assist with the following: Animal vaccinations, trim hooves, castration and de-worm animals. Prepare pens for Bummer animals as well as buying supplies for the bummers. The season ends once all livestock pairs are moved back to the herd.

***Employee must be willing to perform tasks capably and efficiently without close supervision and live and work alone or in small groups of workers in isolated areas for extended periods of time. Worker must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 100 pounds. Worker will use 4-wheelers and horses during the course of work. Worker must have knowledge of and experience working with cattle, sheep and trained dogs (guard dogs and herding dogs.) 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.
Worker will be required to be On-Call 24/7 and live and work on the range more than 50% of the time.

Special Requirements

None