Ranch Hand

Job Description

Job Description

Summary
Join a focused seedstock ranch where your hands shape the future of a registered cow herd. We’re seeking a  skilled, self‐reliant Ranch Hand who thrives working independently, takes pride in meticulous animal care and equipment upkeep, and wants real responsibility in breeding, calving, and herd performance.  Housing available; weekends and holidays on a rotation basis required.

Key Responsibilities

• Daily livestock care: feed, water, monitor health, and provide routine husbandry for registered cows, yearlings, and bulls.
• Animal health management: administer vaccinations, deworming, and basic treatments; monitor for illness or injury and coordinate veterinary care when needed.
• Breeding and calving support: assist with breeding programs, pregnancy checks, calving, and newborn care.
• Handling and sorting: move, sort, and pen cattle for processing, shipping, and pasture rotation.
• Pasture and herd management: monitor pasture conditions, rotate grazing, and assist with herd inventory and performance records.
• Facility and equipment upkeep: maintain fences, gates, corrals, and working facilities; perform routine maintenance on tractors, ATVs, UTVs, trucks, trailers, and other ranch equipment.
• Vehicle care: keep all ranch vehicles clean, fueled, serviced, and inspected; report mechanical issues promptly.
• Other duties: assist with haying, feeding programs, and seasonal projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Seedstock experience: minimum 2–4 years working with registered cattle or seedstock operations.
• Independent worker: proven ability to plan and complete daily tasks with minimal supervision.
• Livestock handling skills: comfortable and experienced working around bulls and yearlings; skilled with low‐stress cattle handling techniques.
• Equipment operation: experience operating tractors, skid steers, ATVs, UTVs, trucks, and livestock‐handling equipment.
• Mechanical aptitude: ability to perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on vehicles and equipment.
• Valid driver’s license: clean driving record and ability to tow trailers.
• Physical fitness: able to lift heavy loads, work long hours outdoors in varied weather, and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Attention to detail: strong observational skills.
• References: professional references from prior ranch or seedstock employers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with artificial insemination, pregnancy checking, or performance‐record programs.
• Familiarity with cattle genetics and selection criteria for seedstock.
• CDL or experience driving larger farm vehicles.

Work Schedule and Conditions

• Full‐time position with seasonal variations in hours; longer days during calving, weaning, and harvest.
• On‐call responsibilities for emergencies and calving season.
• Weekend and holiday rotation required.
• Housing available on the ranch.
• Work primarily outdoors with typical ranch conditions and livestock exposure.

Compensation
Pay competitive and commensurate with experience. Specific package details will be discussed during interview.