Livestock Farmworker

at Wentz Farms, LLC in Norcatur, Kansas, United States

Job Description

Job duties include operating and maintaining a variety of farm equipment such as, but not limited to, tractors, skid steers, loaders, and feeding machinery to support daily livestock and facility operations. Responsibilities involve assisting with all aspects of calving cows and bred heifers, including monitoring for signs of labor, providing support during delivery, and ensuring proper postnatal care. Newborn calves may need to be lifted and carried to safe or designated areas for treatment and care. Duties also include weaning calves from cows, managing the separation process, monitoring calf health and behavior, and providing appropriate nutrition during the transition.

Additional duties include moving and handling livestock, monitoring livestock during movements, and ensuring adequate access to water and forage. Workers will also perform fencing duties, including installing, repairing, maintaining, and removing permanent and temporary fencing, setting and moving electric fencing used in grazing systems, and maintaining gates and related livestock containment systems.

Feeding tasks involve mixing and distributing rations based on livestock nutritional requirements, lifting and handling heavy bags of minerals and supplements, and moving hay bales manually or with equipment. Animals must have clean, consistent access to feed and water, and rations should be adjusted as needed based on health or seasonal conditions. Livestock health must be monitored daily, with signs of illness or injury identified and addressed promptly. Medications and supplements are administered as needed, and support is provided during veterinary visits by gathering and restraining animals, preparing treatment areas, and recording health information.

Fly and pest control measures include regularly spraying cattle with appropriate treatments to reduce the impact of flies and other external parasites. Additional duties include cleaning and maintaining barns, pens, and handling areas; managing bedding and manure; and ensuring a clean, safe environment for animals.

Routine inspections and preventative maintenance of farm equipment, buildings, and infrastructure are required, along with basic mechanical repairs. Tasks are physically demanding and require regularly lifting and carrying heavy items such as hay bales, mineral bags, and newborn calves.

There are few typical days and workers may be required to change duties and/or locations often and engage in various general functions. Daily duties may vary depending on crop, weather, and field conditions. The employer reserves the right to increase workers' pay or provide bonuses based on tenure, performance, or other factors that are solely based on the discretion of the employer.

Employer-Housing provided 

The employer will provide, without charge or deposit, free and convenient kitchen and cooking facilities to prepare meals. The workers will be allowed time to drive themselves or will be transported to a store or market to purchase their own food and cooking supplies. Employer provided housing contains a refrigerator, stove, oven, and operational sink with hot and cold water under pressure. In the event that the workers are unable to prepare meals at the housing location, the employer will provide three sufficient meals a day free of charge. 

Employer will provide workers that reside in employer provided or secured housing with transportation from the housing to the worksite daily at no cost to the worker. Workers who are reasonably able to return to their residence within the same day will not be provided with housing, subsistence and transportation