Pen Rider - Bovina, TX

Friona Industries; Bovina (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Friona Industries is seeking a Pen Rider to join our cattle feedyard team in Texas. The role focuses on maintaining cattle health and welfare, monitoring daily conditions, and ensuring prompt reporting of illnesses to the cattle manager.

You will work closely with all feedyard departments as part of a team and contribute to high-quality care of livestock. Responsibilities include inspecting water systems, segregating sick cattle, aiding in movement and weighing, and maintaining horses and tack.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of livestock health and habits.
• Understand and apply human handling policies and procedure of cattle and horse livestock.
• Observe and report sick cattle and various feedyard problems.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to Beef Quality Assurance standards and procedures.
• Observe livestock daily to recognize and report sick cattle and various feedyard problems.
• Immediately report any unusual or excessive sickness to the cattle manager.
• Inspect water and watering system every time a pen is entered and report issues to the Cattle Manager.
• Segregate and remove sick cattle from pens and transfer them to hospital area containment.
• Place stray cattle in proper pens and monitor for additional attention.
• Assist in shipment and movement of cattle by opening gates and guiding cattle for weighing and counting.
• Care and maintenance of horses, tack, and facilities.
• Sort and return hospital cattle to pens as required.
• Ride and handle horses safely with awareness of surroundings.
• Observe and record all stiff and prolapsed cattle and pull if necessary.
• Ensure ongoing safety policy adherence and participate in company programs.
• Contribute to cattle welfare and feedyard operations to support overall success.

Skills

Livestock handling

Horse riding

Safety procedures

Observation skills

Teamwork

Job description

Friona Industries Pen Rider’s priority is to ensure and maintain the health and welfare of the cattle in the feedyard. An effective Pen Rider serves as the first line of detection and communication regarding the health and welfare of the entire feedyard. A Pen Rider will work closely with all feedyard departments both as an individual and as a member of a team to establish the highest quality care and maintenance of the feedyard to ensure the welfare of livestock while contributing to the overall success of the feedyard team.

Roles and Tasks

• Adhere to Beef Quality Assurance standards and procedures
• Observe livestock daily to recognize and report sick cattle and various feedyard problems
• Immediately report any unusual or excessive sickness to the cattle manager
• Inspect water and watering system every time a pen is entered and report any issues or maintenance necessary to the Cattle Manager
• Segregate and remove sick cattle from pens and transfer them to hospital area containment
• Place all stray cattle in proper pens and be constantly alert for cattle requiring additional attention
• Assists in shipment and movement of cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to required areas for weighing and counting, and handling strays
• Care and maintenance of horses, tack, and facilities
• Sort and return hospital cattle back to pens as required
• Rides and handles horses safely with awareness of surroundings and potential harmful situations
• Observe and record all stiff and prolapsed cattle and pull if necessary
• Continual observance and adherence of all safety policies and procedures
• Promote, support, and participate in all company policies, procedures and programs

Specific Knowledge:

• Basic Knowledge of livestock health and habits
• Knowledge of fundamental animal health programs
• Understand and apply human handling policies and procedure of cattle and horse livestock
• Understand the consulting veterinarian’s requirements regarding cattle to be pulled
• Experienced in safe horse riding, handling, and maintenance

Special Conditions / Requirements:

• Physical Requirements Include: standing, walking, lifting, bending, kneeling, shoveling, working equipment, and handling livestock, mounting, dismounting and riding
• Considerable exposure to weather such as: rain, sleet, snow, hail, heat, cold, wind, and dust
• Daily close proximity to livestock
• Occasional physical exertion during administration of medical attention

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities and we will not unlawfully consider any factors of race, religion, age, creed, national origin, gender, disability veteran status or any and all other unlawful biases regarding federal, state or local laws with regard to workers or applicants.

Friona Industries participates in E-Verify. We will provide the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employer’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.