Breeding Herdsman

Island Farms; Waianae (HI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Island Farms in Hawaii is seeking a Breeding Herdsman to manage the breeding herd for optimal reproduction, welfare, and production efficiency. You will oversee heat detection, AI, pregnancy checks, and breeding records while coordinating with farm teams to hit targets.

Responsibilities include maintaining breeding schedules, handling animals daily, monitoring health and body condition, and ensuring welfare standards. The role requires physical work and weekend flexibility on a full-time basis.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous swine production or livestock experience preferred.
• Knowledge of artificial insemination and reproductive management is preferred.
• Ability to accurately maintain records and perform basic data entry.
• Strong observation and animal handling skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily heat detection on sows and gilts.
• Accurately breed females using artificial insemination (AI) protocols.
• Monitor and record standing heat and breeding dates.
• Conduct pregnancy checks and monitor conception rates.
• Identify and manage repeat breeders and open females.
• Assist with gilt development and selection of replacement females.
• Maintain breeding schedules to meet weekly and monthly production targets.
• Provide daily care and observation of breeding animals.
• Monitor animal health, body condition, feed intake, and behavior.
• Administer treatments, vaccinations, and medications as directed.
• Report health concerns, injuries, or reproductive issues to management.
• Ensure all animal handling practices meet welfare standards.
• Maintain accurate breeding and reproductive records.
• Track breeding performance metrics, including conception and farrowing rates.
• Record semen usage, breeding dates, pregnancy confirmations, and returns to heat.
• Enter and manage data using farm recordkeeping systems.
• Assist in preparing breeding and production reports.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of breeding facilities, power washing once a month.
• Ensure breeding stalls, pens, water systems, and feeding equipment are functioning properly.
• Assist with general farm maintenance
• Maintain and properly store breeding supplies and equipment.
• Monitor key breeding performance indicators.
• Assist in achieving farm reproductive goals and production targets.
• Support inventory management of breeding stock.
• Coordinate movement of animals between breeding, gestation, and farrowing units.
• Work closely with management, veterinarians, and other farm personnel.
• Communicate breeding schedules and reproductive performance updates.
• Train and assist team members when necessary.
• Assist other farm employees in completing the tasks needed for the day.
• Weighing pigs, collecting samples.
• Follow all farm safety and biosecurity protocols.

Skills

Observation & animal handling

Record keeping & data entry

Independent & team work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Breeding Herdsman is responsible for the daily management of the breeding herd to ensure optimal reproductive performance, animal welfare, and production efficiency. This position oversees heat detection, artificial insemination, pregnancy monitoring, breeding records, and the overall care of breeding females. The Breeding Herdsman works closely with farm management and other departments to maintain breeding targets and support the farm's production goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform daily heat detection on sows and gilts.
• Accurately breed females using artificial insemination (AI) protocols.
• Monitor and record standing heat and breeding dates.
• Conduct pregnancy checks and monitor conception rates.
• Identify and manage repeat breeders and open females.
• Assist with gilt development and selection of replacement females.
• Maintain breeding schedules to meet weekly and monthly production targets.

Animal Care and Welfare

• Provide daily care and observation of breeding animals.
• Monitor animal health, body condition, feed intake, and behavior.
• Administer treatments, vaccinations, and medications as directed.
• Report health concerns, injuries, or reproductive issues to management.
• Ensure all animal handling practices meet welfare standards.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain accurate breeding and reproductive records.
• Track breeding performance metrics, including conception and farrowing rates.
• Record semen usage, breeding dates, pregnancy confirmations, and returns to heat.
• Enter and manage data using farm recordkeeping systems.
• Assist in preparing breeding and production reports.

Facility and Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of breeding facilities, power washing once a month.
• Ensure breeding stalls, pens, water systems, and feeding equipment are functioning properly.
• Assist with general farm maintenance
• Maintain and properly store breeding supplies and equipment.

Production and Performance Monitoring

• Monitor key breeding performance indicators.
• Assist in achieving farm reproductive goals and production targets.
• Support inventory management of breeding stock.
• Coordinate movement of animals between breeding, gestation, and farrowing units.
• Work closely with management, veterinarians, and other farm personnel.
• Communicate breeding schedules and reproductive performance updates.
• Train and assist team members when necessary.
• Assist other farm employees in completing the tasks needed for the day.
• Weighing pigs, collecting samples.
• Follow all farm safety and biosecurity protocols.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous swine production or livestock experience preferred.
• Knowledge of artificial insemination and reproductive management is preferred.
• Ability to accurately maintain records and perform basic data entry.
• Strong observation and animal handling skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to work in livestock facilities and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to move and handle animals safely.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and flexible schedules as needed.

Employment Type:
Full Time

Industry: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing