Winter Hog Facility & Agricultural Operations Worker

Work description

The farm operates and/or is responsible for agricultural support activities associated with hog production facilities. During the Iowa winter season, freezing temperatures, snowfall, high winds, drifting snow, ice accumulation, and severe winter storms create a recurring seasonal increase in the labor necessary to maintain access to and operation of these livestock facilities. The hog facilities require dependable access throughout the winter for feed deliveries and other essential agricultural operations. Feed trucks must be able to reach the facilities and feed storage systems regardless of snowfall or drifting conditions. Because livestock continue to require feed during severe winter weather, access cannot simply be postponed until weather conditions improve. The winter worker’s duties include: • Operating tractors, loaders, blades, snow-moving equipment and other agricultural machinery to remove snow and drifting snow from farm roads and access lanes serving the hog facilities. • Maintaining access for feed trucks delivering feed to the hog facilities. • Clearing snow and ice from areas surrounding feed bins, feed storage areas, augers and other feed-handling equipment so feed can be delivered and transferred safely. • Reopening access routes following winter storms and periods of high winds that cause roads and entrances to drift shut. • Clearing barn entrances, loading areas, service areas and other locations necessary for the operation of the livestock facilities. • Removing accumulated snow and ice that interfere with livestock-facility operations. • Monitoring the hog facilities and associated agricultural infrastructure during periods of extreme cold, snow and high winds for winter-related problems. • Assisting with frozen or obstructed feed-handling equipment and other agricultural equipment affected by freezing temperatures. • Inspecting feed bins, augers, motors and associated equipment for problems caused or aggravated by winter weather. • Performing winter-specific preventative maintenance on equipment used to maintain the hog facilities and their feed-delivery infrastructure. • Preparing tractors, loaders, blades and other agricultural machinery for winter operation and maintaining that equipment during periods of heavy winter use. • Keeping agricultural access areas safe and operational through snow removal, ice removal and other winter-weather work. • Assisting with winterization and protection of agricultural equipment and livestock-facility infrastructure from freezing conditions. • Checking and addressing frozen water lines, hydrants, valves or other livestock water-related equipment, if these systems fall within the farm’s responsibilities. • Maintaining adequate access for livestock service, feed and other agricultural vehicles required to service the facilities. • Responding to winter storms and severe weather events that create additional work at the livestock facilities. • Removing accumulated and drifting snow from areas where it could obstruct ventilation, equipment, doors, feed systems or normal operation of the hog facilities. • Performing winter agricultural maintenance and repairs directly associated with maintaining the livestock and feed-support operation during freezing conditions.