Boar Stud Herdsperson: Animal Care & Semen Lab

Smithfield Foods; Sheldon (IA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield is hiring a Herdsperson to support Herd Technicians with routine animal care and farm tasks across our Iowa operations. The role emphasizes welfare, growth, and breeding of animals, including lab duties and equipment operation.

Expect to assist with sanitation, movement of animals, and adherence to SOPs, with potential training for advanced designation. The position requires physical work, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced farm environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
• Collect boars, process collection in on-site laboratory, and distribute semen doses to sow farms.
• Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Follows the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follows the Company's animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal's needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.

Skills

Hard physical labor

Teamwork

Good hygiene routines

Ability to follow instructions

Flexible schedule

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Smithfield is hiring a Herdsperson to support Herd Technicians with routine animal care and farm tasks across our Iowa operations. The role emphasizes welfare, growth, and breeding of animals, including lab duties and equipment operation.

Expect to assist with sanitation, movement of animals, and adherence to SOPs, with potential training for advanced designation. The position requires physical work, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced farm environment.