Pen Rider - Dalhart, TX

Friona Industries; Dalhart (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Friona Industries is seeking a Pen Rider to protect cattle health and welfare in the feedyard. You will be the first line of detection, reporting sick cattle and feedyard issues while coordinating with the cattle manager and other departments.

The role requires prior livestock handling, plus demonstrated horseback riding ability. You will ride daily, assist in movement of cattle, and maintain horses, tack, and facilities under safety policies.

Qualifications

• One year of feedyard or cattle handling experience preferred.
• Previous horseback riding experience required.
• Ability to safely handle horses and work cattle on horseback.
• Basic knowledge of cattle behavior and identifying sick or injured cattle preferred.
• Basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills.

Responsibilities

• Observe livestock daily to recognize and report sick cattle and various feedyard problems.
• 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.
• 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 hazards.
• Continual observance of safety policies and procedures.

Skills

Livestock handling

Horseback riding

Observation

Safety procedures

Job description

General Description / Objective

A 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
• Other duties and job assignments are necessary for feedyard effectiveness

Profile / Professional Competencies

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

Minimum Experience Required:

One year of feedyard or cattle handling experience preferred.
Previous horseback riding experience required.
Ability to safely handle horses and work cattle on horseback.
Basic knowledge of cattle behavior and identifying sick or injured cattle preferred.
Basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills

Position Requirements

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.
• Ability to safely ride horseback for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain cattle when administering medical treatment.

Tools Utilized:

Employees must provide their own horses and tack for daily pen riding duties.

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.