Livestock Production Manager

Anavery Fine Foods is looking for a hardworking, responsible person to join our team on a growing, diversified livestock farm in Grand Traverse County. Our farm’s mission is to produce great-tasting meat and eggs raised in a way that we can be proud of. We believe that Happy Animals Taste Better. Our farm’s business is divided into two complementary areas: 1) on-farm livestock management of hogs, cattle, sheep and egg hens, and 2) local distribution of our own products and other farms’ products.

This is a full-time, career track position to manage all of Anavery’s on-farm animal husbandry. This is a role offering considerable responsibility, independence and personal growth for candidates who have existing experience in animal husbandry.

The job consists of the following tasks (in order of time allocation):

• Management of our herd of Red Wattle hogs from farrow to finish. Of particular importance is to grow and develop our breeding and farrowing program. It also include pasture management and facilities improvement for winter housing of our sows and feeders.
• Management of our flock of free range egg hens. This includes all daily maintenance of birds as well as egg collection, washing and packing. It also includes flock management for introducing new pullets and removing spent hens.
• Management of our grass-fed herd of beef cattle. This includes daily rotation of our herd in the summer and cooperation with partner farms that board our cattle in the winter. It includes introduction of new feeders and selection of finished steers for slaughter.
• Management of our sheep flock. This includes managing the flock indoors and outdoors depending on the season. It includes selection of finished lambs for slaughter and working with partner farms for acquisition of feeder lambs.
• Development of new poultry initiatives. Anavery would like to selectively expand its poultry activities, including achieving on-site, MDARD-inspected poultry slaughter; seasonal turkey production; on-farm breeding of egg hens and heritage breed turkeys.

Candidates must possess:

• Prior, high level experience with animal husbandry, including a) breeding, b) maintaining animal health in northern climates, c) equipment and facilities management. A degree in animal health or farming is not required but is useful.
• Demonstrated desire to make a career in animal husbandry or farming.
• A keen interest in pasture-based meat production. We seek to raise our animals on pasture as much as possible and to promote health and breeding in a simple, natural manner. However, we are also practical, scientific and non-dogmatic in our approach to animal husbandry.
• Experience with heavy equipment, large trucks and trailers.
• Ability to manage up and manage down. This role will report to Anavery’s President, will work alongside our General Manager and Sales Manager, and will manage seasonal farm hands.
• A history of reliability, responsibility, accountability, and honesty. Candidates must be able to provide solid references.
• Physical capacity to move heavy objects on a daily basis and to work outdoors in all types of weather.

This is a career track position. We want to invest in the right candidate for the long term, and we want them to invest in us. This position is not for someone looking to gain experience before starting their own farm; rather, it is for candidates who seek an agricultural career working for an established, respected operation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Year round work

Ability to Commute:

• Traverse City, MI 49685 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Traverse City, MI 49685: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $25