Sow Farm Technician - Lafayette, MN
About The Position
Wakefield Pork is seeking a dedicated Sow Farm Technician interested in the pork industry and able to contribute to a team-oriented, goal-driven workplace. The position supports daily swine breeding and farrowing operations, with duties varying across breeding, farrowing, and general farm work. Responsibilities include animal care, breeding and farrowing procedures, feeding, herd health, vaccination, record keeping, maintaining farm facilities and animal environments, and following safety and biosecurity policies. The role requires respect for team members and animals, clear communication, time-management skills, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with actual hours varying by location, plus an every-third-weekend rotation. Full-time employees are eligible for paid vacation, insurance benefits, an HSA, and a 401(k) with company match. Compensation is based on skills and experience and Wakefield Pork’s wage and benefit policies.
Requirements
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to perform basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Regular, consistent attendance.
- Respect for team members and animals.
- Communication and time-management skills, and the ability to adapt and function effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to move throughout the farm; stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb 3-foot gates, and lift, carry, or move weights up to 50 pounds.
- Good hand-eye coordination and arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including the ability to grasp.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and communicate for extended periods.
Nice To Haves
- Industry experience is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the highest standards of ethical animal treatment.
- Assist the Department Lead with daily breeding or farrowing operations.
- Conduct artificial insemination as directed and perform daily estrous checks and checks of bred groups.
- Perform routine and seasonal vaccinations as directed.
- Assist with monthly inventory counts and maintain breeding records, including sow removal, transaction, and treatment records.
- Perform general feed maintenance for bred and open animals.
- Prepare pre-farrow rooms and assist with farrowing sows and day-one piglet care.
- Induce sows and ensure piglets are with the correct sow and stall; transfer and size piglets as directed.
- Keep stalls full of lactating sows, process and castrate piglets, feed lactating sows according to protocol, and assist with piglet weaning.
- Maintain accurate documentation, including weekly and monthly inventories of sows and piglets.
- Assist the breeding or farrowing department as needed.
- Work collaboratively to achieve team goals, embrace new technologies, and participate in new projects.
- Maintain a clean and organized working environment and ensure proper animal conditions, including ventilation, water, feed, and husbandry.
- Maintain PQA Plus and TQA certification status and follow WPI training program requirements and procedures.
- Assist with power washing as assigned.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings and training.
- Follow safety rules and practices, encourage coworkers to do the same, and help ensure a safe work environment.
- Follow all biosecurity measures in accordance with WPI policies.
Benefits
- Paid vacation
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) with company match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
