Hired Man

Hired Man

Near Ainsworth, Nebraska

Overview

An established family cow/calf and backgrounding operation near Ainsworth, Nebraska is looking for a full time hired man. The operation runs 1,000 mother cows, backgrounds its own steers and heifers, and takes in outside cattle to background, all on ground in one block just a few miles from town. This role is heavy on feeding, haying, and equipment maintenance, with horseback work throughout the year. The right person is mechanically inclined and experienced running equipment, and being comfortable horseback is a plus. In return, this operation offers housing with utilities provided, a beef each year, and room for your horses. For the right person who wants to stay, there is an opportunity to discuss running your own cows or building a herd down the road.

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

• $4,200 to $5,000 per month, depending on experience


• Housing with utilities provided


• One beef per year


• Will feed horses


• Opportunity to discuss running your own cows or building a herd after a year or two


• One day off per week, with weekends off during slower seasons


• A week of vacation during slower times of the year

Responsibilities

• Feed cattle with a feed wagon and hay processors


• Feed cake from a pickup or side by side


• Run haying equipment, including self propelled swathers and balers, on alfalfa and meadow ground


• Perform maintenance and repairs on tractors and equipment, including repairs after calving season


• Fix fence, clean pens, and haul hay


• Haul manure in spring so pens can be reseeded


• Move and sort cattle horseback or by side by side


• Move cows between cornstalk fields in winter


• Assist with calving, branding, preconditioning, and weaning


• Assist with doctoring sick cattle as needed 


• Help ship pairs and replacement heifers to pasture


• Check pastures, salt, and mineral

Qualifications

• Mechanical skills to maintain and repair equipment


• Experience operating tractors and haying equipment


• Able to ride and work cattle horseback, preferred but not required


• Cow sense and calving experience preferred but not required


• Flexible with a schedule that changes with weather and season


• Mild mannered, takes direction well, and willing to learn the operation’s way of doing things


• Takes initiative and finds work without being told

Compensation and Benefits

• $4,200 to $5,000 per month, depending on experience


• Housing with utilities provided


• Access to indoor and outdoor arena 


• One beef per year


• Workers’ compensation coverage


• Will feed horses


• Opportunity to discuss running your own cows or building a herd after a year or two

Schedule

• Typical days run about 8:00 to 6:00


• Longer days during haying and calving


• One day off per week, usually Sunday


• Weekends off during slower seasons


• One week of vacation in June or September