Cow-Calf Herdsman

Summit Agricultural Group•Alden Township, IA

10d

About The Position

The Cow-Calf Herdsman supports the daily care, health and management of a purebred cow-calf herd of Black Angus, Simmental and Charolais cattle. The hands-on role supports the herd through breeding, calving and weaning, while helping maintain animal health, facilities and smooth operations. The position is performed indoors and outdoors depending on cattle location, with exposure to all weather conditions, potentially loud noise, fumes and dust. Additional hours may be required during calving season, for other seasonal needs or during staffing shortages.

Requirements

Able to operate and perform basic maintenance on farm equipment.
Able to perform the listed physical activities, including standing, walking, sitting, reaching, handling objects and tools, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking and hearing.
Able to continuously repeat movements such as bending, lifting and hand motions to complete tasks.
Able to frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds, and up to 75 pounds as needed.
Vision ability that includes close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and adjusting focus.
Able to climb ladders and over gates, and climb in and out of livestock trailers as low as 48 inches in height.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with livestock.
Class A CDL.

Responsibilities

Feed and care for the herd daily, checking animals for health, body condition and behavior.
Assist with calving, including difficult births and care of newborn calves.
Give vaccinations, treatments and medications under herd health protocols.
Maintain accurate herd records, including births, weights, treatments, AI and natural breeding dates, registrations and inventory.
Gain exposure to the accounting and marketing functions of the cow-calf operation.
Process calves by tagging, castrating, dehorning, vaccinating and weaning.
Sort, move and load cattle using low-stress handling methods.
Manage pastures and rotational grazing, and maintain fences and water sources.
Operate and maintain equipment such as tractors, skid steers, feed wagons, UTVs and trailers.
Repair and maintain barns, pens and other facilities.
Communicate herd concerns quickly to management.
Perform other duties as assigned.