Cow/Calf Operations Manager

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

The Cow/Calf Operations Manager leads day-to-day management of JLC’s 700–800 head cow/calf operation, including an off-site calving facility, the annual breeding program, summer grazing, and fall herd health work.

The Cow/Calf Operations Manager leads day-to-day management of JLC’s 700–800 head cow/calf operation, including an off-site calving facility, the annual breeding program, summer grazing, and fall herd health work. This position requires hands-on livestock experience, strong crew leadership, and the flexibility to manage 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

LEADERSHIP

Participate in monthly leadership/management meetings

Delegate tasks and manage a 6–8 person calving crew

Experience managing teams

KEY 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

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hourly, full-time, in-person position

100% employer-paid health insurance with $2,600 annual HSA contribution

3% IRA match

$1,200 annual vehicle reimbursement, plus fuel provided