Pen Rider - Cactus Feedyard

About the role

A Pen Rider is responsible for daily observation and care of cattle by riding horseback through assigned pens to identify animals showing signs of illness, injury, or distress. This role plays a critical part in animal health, welfare, and overall feedyard performance by promptly identifying and segregating cattle requiring treatment.

Responsibilities

• Receive and check in cattle, including weighing, unloading, and verifying head counts
• Assign and place cattle into designated pens
• Ride pens daily to observe cattle health and behavior
• Identify, pull, and segregate sick or injured cattle for treatment
• Assist with processing cattle, including working cattle through handling facilities
• Sort and ship cattle as needed
• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs of feedyard facilities and equipment
• Ride a horse and work cattle on foot as required
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment
• Perform other duties as assigned to support feedyard operations

Requirements

• Ability to provide and maintain a suitable horse and tack for daily work
• Prior experience in one or more cattle production segments (cow-calf, stocker, or cattle feeding) preferred
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred but not required
• Strong livestock-handling skills and attention to animal health and welfare
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team

Qualifications

• Ability to provide and maintain a suitable horse and tack for daily work
• Prior experience in one or more cattle production segments (cow-calf, stocker, or cattle feeding) preferred
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred but not required
• Strong livestock-handling skills and attention to animal health and welfare
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team

Skills

• Strong livestock-handling skills
• Attention to animal health and welfare
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team

Benefits

• Full-time position with bi-weekly pay via direct deposit
• Monthly horse stipend to support horse care and upkeep
• Competitive and affordable insurance package, including health, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• 100% Paid Retirement through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Continuing education scholarships available for employees and eligible immediate family members

Pay

Hourly compensation based on experience and skillset

Schedule

Full-time position