Pen Rider -(North Texas Location) Dalhart, TX

Friona Industries; Dalhart (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Friona Industries is seeking a Pen Rider to maintain health and welfare of cattle in the feedyard. You will observe livestock daily, report sick cattle to the cattle manager, and assist in movement and handling of cattle and horses.

Work includes applying Beef Quality Assurance standards, inspecting water systems, segregating sick cattle to hospital pens, and supporting overall feedyard operations while complying with safety policies.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of livestock health and habits.
• Understanding of fundamental animal health programs.
• Experience with safe horse riding and handling.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to Beef Quality Assurance standards and procedures.
• Observe livestock daily to recognize and report sick cattle.
• Report unusual sickness to the cattle manager.
• Inspect water and watering systems and report issues.
• Segregate and remove sick cattle to hospital area containment.
• Assist in shipment and movement of cattle and handling strays.
• Care for horses, tack, and facilities.
• Ride and handle horses safely.
• Promote safety policies and company programs.

Skills

Livestock health knowledge

Horse handling

Safety awareness

Observation skills

Job description

*Please note, doctoring cattle duties will also be assigned* 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.