Sow Farm Technician - Waseca, 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-focused operation. The role supports daily swine breeding and farrowing activities, including breeding and farrowing targets, artificial insemination, sow and piglet care, herd health, feeding, nutrition, replacement gilt acclimation, and record keeping. Technicians work closely with the Sow Barn Manager, Department Leads, and other Technicians, and may assist both breeding and farrowing departments. The position requires respect for team members and animals, effective communication and time-management skills, and the ability to adapt and function in a fast-paced, changing environment. Employees are expected to maintain a safe, clean, organized, and biosecure farm environment, follow training and safety procedures, and participate in staff meetings and training. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an every-third-weekend rotation; actual hours vary by location.
Requirements
- Able to lift a minimum of 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 ability to adapt and function effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to move throughout the farm and to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb 3-foot gates, and handle 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 frequently 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 breeding and farrowing activities.
- Conduct artificial insemination as directed, perform daily estrous checks, and check bred groups.
- Perform routine and seasonal vaccinations as directed.
- Assist with monthly inventory counts and maintain feed for bred and open animals.
- Maintain sow breeding records and documentation, including sow removal, transaction, and treatment records.
- Prepare pre-farrow rooms and properly farrow sows and provide 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 weekly and monthly inventory documentation for sows and piglets.
- Demonstrate teamwork by working toward team goals, embracing new technologies, and contributing to 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 meet WPI training program requirements and procedures.
- Assist with power washing as assigned and attend and participate in staff meetings and training.
- Follow safety rules and biosecurity measures, encourage coworkers to follow safety practices, and help ensure a safe work environment.
Benefits
- Paid vacation
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- HSA account
- 401(k) with match
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
