Breeding Lead I

In this role you will be the Sow Breeding Lead responsible for training and leading the breeding team. Enjoy our progressive operation including electronic sow feeding (ESF), top-notch biosecurity practices, open pen gestation, along with half our herd being antibiotic free. You will report to the Sow Barn Manager and will be a hands-on leader overseeing operations of the breeding barn including employee management, heat checking, breed timing, and animal welfare. You will lead with a focus on breeding techniques, attention to detail and efficiency.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor the barn environment including ventilation, electronic feed system, and watering systems checklists
• Manage sow condition scoring, cull selection, monitor non-productive days and develop the Push List (problem eater-ESFS)
• Oversee the health of the barn including monitoring the hospital pen, sow health and condition, feedback, treatments and vaccinations.
• Ensure sow productivity by heat checking, confirming pregnancy, marking sows to farrow and transferring sows from GDU to breeding.
• Review production reports and plan appropriate action for continuous improvement.
• Project breeding schedule and semen ordering.
• Strategize on how to meet breeding targets.
• Utilize Continuous Improvement tools.
• Manage all aspects of the performance of the breeding team including training, overseeing daily task assignments and time management.
• Set team goals for production.
• Hold team members accountable for breeding activities, company policies and key expectations.
• Ensure animal handing and welfare policies are implemented.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• You have prior livestock management; prior swine preferred, but open to other livestock backgrounds such as dairy, heifer management or poultry.
• You have an Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or a degree from an accredited technical school; or a minimum of five years related experiences and/or training.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can physically be standing on your feet a majority of the day with the ability to lift 50 lbs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Edit as necessary

• Meet all bio-security requirements as outlined by Animal Care policy/ procedure.
• Consistent and reliable adherence to Animal Welfare requirements and Code of Conduct.
• Adhere to CVFF/ CLEMENS FOOD GROUP Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Complete all other tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS; PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Stationary Position: Must be able to remain in a stationary position for more than 85% of the time.
• Moving/ Traversing: The person in this position needs to frequently move around the Production areas of the Barns/ Farm and will be moving/ traversing more than 85% of the time to attend to the care needs of the animals.
• Operating/ Activating/ Using/ Preparing/ Inspecting/ Placing/ Positioning: Frequently utilizes animal movement techniques, breeding or farrowing equipment, etc.
• Ascend/ Descend/ Traverse: Occasionally ascends/ descends a ladder to work atop equipment and/ or provide routine maintenance of Electronic Sow Feeders (ESF’s) or compost structures.
• Position Self to Move: Frequently positions self to complete tasks by reaching under/ around animals, into/ out of animal crates/ pens, remove material from the floor/ walls, and assist animals in the farrowing process.
• Communicate/ Detect/ Identify/ Exchange Information: Constant visual monitoring of sow/ animal health and well-being, frequent communication with Team Members regarding animal movements, health status, task completion, etc. Shares information regarding task completion with Farm management.
• Move/ Transport/ Install/ Remove: Frequently moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 75 pounds, rarely moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 100 pounds. Frequently transports equipment/ materials/ animals through various areas of the Barn weighing 50 pounds or more.  Frequently utilizes personal protective equipment (PPE) including animal sort boards weighing up to 25 pounds and requiring the ability to twist, bend, and maneuver around the body.
• Work Environment: Frequent exposure to loud noises, dirty/ dusty environments, hot and cold temperatures, outdoor environments, animal dander, manure, blood.