Swine Intern

Cooperative Farmers Elevator • Rock Rapids, IA

1d

About The Position

The Swine Intern gains hands-on experience working alongside the Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE) feed sales team and feed department. The intern helps attract and retain swine feed customers while learning CFE’s systems and processes. The role provides exposure to feed sales, swine nutrition, farm management, and feed manufacturing, with guidance from a dedicated mentor. The intern will present projects and results to CFE leadership and gain industry connections and insight into agricultural career opportunities.

The position includes work in livestock barns, feed mills, on farms, and in indoor and outdoor settings. Work may involve varying weather conditions and exposure to dust, odors, noise, and moving equipment. Personal protective equipment is required as directed. The role requires following farm biosecurity protocols, including shower-in/shower-out procedures and required downtime between site visits.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Animal Science, Agricultural Business, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Genuine interest in the swine industry and eagerness to learn.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated team player comfortable working in barns, feed mills, and on farms.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to perform the essential duties, including occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to follow farm biosecurity and safety procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Junior or senior standing is preferred; other class levels will be considered.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
• Livestock experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Help care for pigs and collect accurate research and development data for presentation.
• Assist with swine grading, troubleshooting, marketing, farm audits, training, and biosecurity checks.
• Learn the feed sales process, share product knowledge and usage with customers, and build customer relationships.
• Learn feed formulation and ration-balancing fundamentals.
• Help produce feed supplements and complete feeds in HACCP-approved facilities and support HACCP compliance activities at feed milling locations.
• Work with CFE feed sales staff and help prepare for and participate in feed training meetings.
• Learn traceability and record-keeping programs, including MetaFarms.
• Create and conduct a customer questionnaire and report findings to CFE staff at the end of the internship.
• Prepare and deliver a presentation to CFE leadership summarizing projects, research data, and questionnaire results.
• Participate in midpoint and final evaluations with a mentor to review progress, goals, and feedback.
• Inform the supervisor promptly about report discrepancies, potential problems or business opportunities, unsafe equipment or working conditions, and needed repairs or special maintenance.
• Uphold cooperative policies and comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Attend employee safety meetings and other required or scheduled safety activities.
• Follow farm biosecurity protocols, including shower-in/shower-out procedures and required downtime between site visits.
• Perform other duties assigned by management and work collaboratively with location and departmental personnel.
• Promote teamwork and consistently present a professional image through words, actions, and personal appearance.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience working alongside experienced sales, nutrition, and production professionals.
• Exposure to feed sales, swine nutrition, farm management, and feed manufacturing.
• A dedicated mentor to guide learning and support professional growth.
• Opportunity to present projects and results directly to CFE leadership.
• Industry connections and insight into agricultural career opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern