Sow Farm Technician - Amboy, MN
About The Position
Wakefield Pork is hiring a Sow Farm Technician to assist with daily swine breeding and farrowing operations. Depending on the assigned area, duties include breeding and farrowing target management, artificial insemination, semen inventory and delivery, sow and piglet care, feeding, herd health and vaccination programs, nutrition, replacement gilt isolation and acclimation, and record keeping. The role supports the company’s pork production goals and requires a strong interest in the pork industry and effective teamwork. The technician works with the Sow Barn Manager, Department Leads, and other Technicians. The position typically follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an every-third-weekend rotation; actual hours vary by location. This role requires respect for team members and animals, communication and time-management skills, and the ability to adapt and work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Requirements
- Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to perform basic math, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Regular, consistent attendance.
- Ability to demonstrate communication and time-management skills and adapt and function effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to move throughout the farm and perform the physical activities described, including standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing 3-foot gates, reaching, and manipulating weights up to 50 pounds.
- Good hand-eye coordination and arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including the ability to grasp.
Nice To Haves
- Industry experience is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the highest standards of ethical animal treatment.
- Assist the Department Lead with breeding and farrowing duties.
- Conduct artificial breeding (AI) as directed and perform daily estrous checks on animals and bred groups.
- Perform routine and seasonal vaccinations as directed.
- Assist with monthly inventory counts and maintain semen inventory and delivery as applicable.
- Perform general feed maintenance for bred and open animals.
- Maintain sow breeding records and documentation, including sow removal records, transactions, and treatment records.
- Prepare pre-farrow rooms and assist with farrowing targets.
- Execute proper farrowing of sows and day-one pig care; induce sows as required.
- Ensure piglets are with the correct sow and stall, and transfer and size piglets as directed.
- Keep stalls full of lactating sows, process and castrate piglets, and feed lactating sows according to protocol.
- Assist with piglet weaning and support the breeding and farrowing departments as needed.
- Maintain accurate documentation, including weekly and monthly inventories of sows and piglets.
- Exhibit teamwork by working toward team goals, embracing new technologies, and participating in new projects.
- Maintain a clean and organized working environment and ensure proper animal conditions, including ventilation, water, feed, and animal husbandry.
- Maintain PQA Plus and TQA certification status and meet WPI training program requirements and procedures.
- Assist with power washing as assigned.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings.
- Follow and encourage compliance with safety rules and practices, maintain a safe work environment, and follow WPI biosecurity measures.
Benefits
- Paid vacation
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- 401(k) with employer match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
