Livestock Worker/Ranch hand

Work description

Skill Level 1 Feed and water the livestock, monitor food, water and supplies. Will herd the livestock to pastures for feeding and grazing or to other pens for enclosures for processing or treatment. Will examine the livestock for illness, injury or disease and check physical appearance, such as rate of weight gain. Will provide medical treatment, such as administering medications, vaccinations or arrange for veterinarians to come and provide more extensive treatment. Mark livestock to identify ownership using brands, tags, paint or tattoos. Will maintain heated watering system. Segregate livestock according to weight, age, color, breed and physical condition. Will inspect, maintain and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards and fences. Move equipment or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or trailers. Will mix feed, additives and medicines in prescribed portions. Shift livestock between grazing areas to ensure that they have sufficient access to food. Will order feed for livestock and arrange for its delivery. Perform duties related to livestock reproduction and helping with the animals' births. Patrol grazing land on foot or all-terrain vehicle. Maintain growth, feeding, production and cost records. Groom, clip, trim or castrate animals. Apply insecticides to animals. Confine livestock in stalls. Remove ice formed in their water. Operate feed mix wagons, tractors to feed hay and load manure and apply it to fields. Livestock: Beef cattle, sheep, swine General Conditions: If work is available beyond normal workdays, employer may offer, but not require, worker an opportunity to work additional hours. Workers will report to work at designated time and place as directed by assigned employer each day. workers may be requested to ten (10) hours per day depending on conditions in fields and the maturity of the crops. Also, workers may be requested to work on federal holidays and their Sabbath but will not be required. Workers may volunteer to work additional hours when work is available. Down time: Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer’s control. These periods can occur any time throughout the season. Worker may be required to work in fields when crops are wet with dew / rain and should have suitable clothing for conditions which include light rain and temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to more than 100 degrees. Workers should be able to stand, bend, stoop and work for prolonged periods of time and be physically fit to perform duties as assigned. Care must always be exercised with any use of equipment.