Ranch Operator 1

Niewohnerbros; Albion Township, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Niewohnerbros is seeking a hands‑on farm operations worker to support cow‑calf production and irrigation management in Albion Township, MI. You will monitor herd health, assist with calving, and operate irrigation equipment across fields.

The role requires flexible hours, outdoor work in varying weather, and strong teamwork to coordinate livestock care with crop and irrigation tasks.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years hands‑on cow‑calf production or livestock management.
• Practical experience operating and maintaining irrigation systems (center pivots preferred).
• Basic mechanical aptitude and experience with tractors, skid steers, and handling equipment.
• Strong observational skills for livestock health, calving distress, or equipment issues.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily cow‑calf herd care, feeding, health monitoring, and treatments per health protocols.
• Operate and maintain irrigation systems, perform preventive maintenance, and inspect fields daily.
• Adhere to safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards; maintain equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Maintain open communication with herd/farm managers and leadership; balance labor between livestock and irrigation priorities.

Skills

Cow‑calf operations

Irrigation systems

Livestock monitoring

Mechanical aptitude

Farm equipment operation

Teamwork & communication

Job description

Primary Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Cow-Calf Operations (Calving Season)

• Assist with daily cow-calf herd care, including feeding, monitoring herd health, and administering treatments under established health protocols.
• Monitor pregnant cows during calving, assist with difficult deliveries (dystocia) as needed, and process newborn calves (tagging, weighing, vaccinating).
• Maintain clean, safe calving environments and monitor pasture/shelter conditions to minimize risk and stress to livestock.
• Assist with sorting, weaning, processing, and transferring cattle across locations as directed.
• Maintain accurate individual animal records, health logs, and calving documentation.

2. Irrigation Systems & Seasonal Operations (Post-Calving)

• Operate, monitor, and adjust center pivot, linear, or surface irrigation systems according to soil moisture needs and crop schedules.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor mechanical repairs on pumps, engines, pipelines, and pivot equipment.
• Inspect fields and irrigation equipment daily to ensure optimal water distribution and prevent runoff or wastage.
• Assist with seasonal pasture management, fence maintenance, forage handling, and field setup as required.

3. Safety, Compliance, and Facility Maintenance

• Adhere to all safety regulations, biosecurity protocols, and animal welfare standards set by the organization and regulatory bodies.
• Maintain and repair equipment, tools, pens, fences, and facility infrastructure to ensure safe operations.
• Operate farm machinery, tractors, UTVs, and handling equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Keep work areas and equipment clean, orderly, and well-maintained.

4. Teamwork and Communication

• Maintain open, active communication with herd managers, farm managers, and leadership regarding livestock health and equipment status.
• Collaborate across departments to balance labor demands between livestock and crop/irrigation priorities.
• Represent the organization with professionalism, teamwork, and alignment with core company values.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Requires heavy physical labor, including lifting, bending, climbing, and working outdoors in extreme weather conditions (cold during calving, heat during irrigation season).
• Requires flexible working hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and potential night shifts during peak calving season.
• Must be comfortable working in close proximity to large livestock and operating heavy machinery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of hands‑on experience in cow‑calf production, calving operations, or general livestock management.
• Practical experience operating and maintaining agricultural irrigation systems (center pivots preferred).
• Basic mechanical aptitude and experience operating farm tractors, skid steers, and livestock handling equipment.
• Strong observation skills for identifying livestock illness, calving distress, or mechanical equipment issues.