Range Livestock Herder

Responsibilities

Tasks to attend to livestock on the range:

• administer medication as needed
• apply medications to cuts and bruises
• assist with irrigating forage
• assist with loading and unloading livestock according to shipping schedules
• assist with sorting and cutting of culls
• assist with weed control on grazing areas (including noxious, invasive and poisonous plant species)
• attend to pregnant livestock and newborn offspring (including night checks)
• brand, tag, clip or otherwise mark young animals for identification purposes
• care for newly born offspring
• examine animals to detect diseases and injuries
• feed and water and ensure adequate provision of both
• feed supplemental rations
• feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses
• guard against predatory animals and from eating poisonous and/or noxious plants
• herd to appropriate grazing area
• identify and administer appropriate medication for various health issues such as internal parasites, respiratory issues, injuries, etc.
• identify and locate the more nutrient dense cool season grasses within grazing areas
• identify livestock that are preparing to give birth
• intensely monitor and treat both mother and young offspring vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures and sickness
• keep accurate record of new offspring born
• make certain animals have access to fresh water
• monitor animals for weight gain, thrift and health problems
• monitor for birthing problems and take correct actions when problems are identified
• monitor grazing areas for poisonous and/or noxious plants and take action to prevent animals from consuming any identified
• move livestock to spring and summer grazing areas
• move pregnant livestock at a pace sufficient to ensure they receive ample water/forage during daylight hours before bedding down at night
• repair and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage
• report to rancher dehydration & other indicators of deterioration in body condition/behavioral changes indicating malnutrition
• round up strays using dogs and/or fence
• spray livestock with insecticide

Tasks to attend to livestock at the ranch:

• administer medication as needed
• apply medications to cuts and bruises
• assist in the maintenance of tools, equipment and handling facilities necessary to production
• assist with castration of livestock
• assist with loading and unloading livestock according to shipping schedules
• assist with sorting and cutting of culls
• assist with the vaccination of livestock by herding into corrals and/or stalls or manually restraining animals
• attend to pregnant livestock and newborn offspring (including night checks)
• brand, tag, clip or otherwise mark young animals for identification purposes
• care for newly born offspring
• examine animals to detect diseases and injuries
• feed and water and ensure adequate provision of both
• feed, water and tend to the dogs (both guard and working dogs) and horses
• guard against predatory animals and from eating poisonous and/or noxious plants
• identify and administer appropriate medication for various health issues such as internal parasites, respiratory issues, injuries, etc.
• identify livestock that are preparing to give birth
• intensely monitor and treat both mother and young offspring vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures and sickness
• keep accurate record of new offspring born
• make certain animals have access to fresh water
• monitor animals for weight gain, thrift and health problems
• monitor for birthing problems and take correct actions when problems are identified
• monitor grazing areas for poisonous and/or noxious plants and take action to prevent animals from consuming any identified
• move livestock to spring and summer grazing areas
• repair and/or maintain fence and facilities to ensure the safety and health of animals and forage
• spray livestock with insecticide

Requirements

• perform tasks capably and efficiently without close supervision
• spend the majority of work days on the range
• live