Cow/Calf Operations Lead — Calving & Breeding

Jorgensenfarms; South Dakota; On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

IRA match

Vehicle reimbursement

Job summary

JLC in South Dakota is seeking a Cow/Calf Operations Manager to lead day-to-day management of a 700–800 head cow/calf operation, including an off-site calving facility and the annual breeding program.

You will supervise a 6–8 person calving crew, ensure herd health year-round, oversee grazing plans, and coordinate calf processing and breeding activities across on-site and off-site facilities. This is a hands-on leadership role with a demanding year-round workload.

Qualifications

• Extensive calving and breeding experience
• Knowledge of artificial insemination and embryo transfer processes
• Extensive knowledge of general livestock and herd health
• Fencing and pasture management experience

Responsibilities

• Prepare and operate the 700–800 head calving facility, including barn and pen prep, crew management, and sorting cows/pairs into groups
• Oversee the 200–400 head off-site calving facility, including herd health, winter rations, and feed calls
• Schedule, manage, and execute calf processing
• Prepare and operate the breeding facility; assist with the 2,200 head breeding program, including synchronization, AI, and ET of 1,000–1,200 head at JLC and offsite herds
• Manage cow/calf herd health year-round
• Organize ultrasounding of the cow herd
• Create and execute a 5–6 month rotational grazing plan
• Fit and maintain eShepherd collars; deliver mineral weekly
• Prepare and maintain summer and fall pastures, fences, and water tanks
• Organize turnout and haul cow/calf pairs to grass
• Prepare weaning pens and organize weaning
• Manage rations and bunk for weaned calves and replacement heifers
• Move and process/cake cow groups for fall and winter grazing as needed
• Relocate cows back to calving facilities; administer pre-calving shots and collect fecal samples

Skills

Calving experience

Breeding experience

Artificial insemination

Embryo transfer

Livestock knowledge

Pasture management

Leadership

Team management

Job description

JLC in South Dakota is seeking a Cow/Calf Operations Manager to lead day-to-day management of a 700–800 head cow/calf operation, including an off-site calving facility and the annual breeding program.

You will supervise a 6–8 person calving crew, ensure herd health year-round, oversee grazing plans, and coordinate calf processing and breeding activities across on-site and off-site facilities. This is a hands-on leadership role with a demanding year-round workload.