Farrowing Crew Member

Position Summary

The Farrowing Crew Member is responsible for the daily care and well-being of White Oak Pastures’ hogs, with a primary focus on the farrowing operation and the health of sows, boars, and piglets.

This position also contributes to the overall health and stewardship of White Oak Pastures’ land and animals. The work is physically demanding, outdoors, and requires someone who can work calmly and respectfully with animals while communicating effectively with the farm team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Monitor sows, boars and piglets and provide attentive, proactive daily care
• Collect and report livestock mortality
• Maintain accurate birth records
• Identify and report culls
• Wean piglets
• Castrate piglets
• Maintain adequate water, shelter and bedding
• Move sows and boars to fresh pasture
• Maintain farrowing structures, equipment, and working areas
• Monitor and maintain fencing
• Overseed bare ground and assist with pasture management
• Observe animal health and behavior and promptly communicate concerns to the manager
• Maintain accurate records and enter information into Google Sheets
• Safely operate farm vehicles and heavy equipment
• Assist other areas of the farm as needed

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ability to work effectively and proactively with a variety of personalities
• Ability to work calmly, respectfully, and safely with live animals
• Strong communication skills and ability to report observations clearly
• Ability to work as part of a team and assist in other areas of the farm as needed
• Basic math skills for record keeping and data analysis
• Ability to safely operate heavy equipment
• Basic computer literacy and familiarity with Google Sheets
• Access to a cell phone
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively in English
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass a drug test
• The ideal candidate brings curiosity, new ideas, and a willingness to solve problems rather than simply work around them. 

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is physically demanding, outdoor field work. Employees work in hot, cold, rainy, muddy, and otherwise changing weather conditions. Farm trucks do not have air conditioning.

The position requires the ability to repeatedly:

• Bend, reach, squat, stoop, and kneel
• Lift 100+ pounds
• Hammer and pound fence posts into hard ground
• Walk long distances and occasionally run through rough terrain, including pastures and dense wooded areas
• Get in and out of heavy equipment
• Handle large pigs in working pens and trailers
• Safely catch and hold piglets and poultry
• Work for extended periods while bending, including collecting eggs and cleaning nesting boxes
• Work around mud and regular contact with livestock bodily fluids, including manure, blood, and urine

The successful candidate should be comfortable working hard, working outside in the elements, handling livestock, paying close attention to animal health, and taking responsibility for communicating what they observe to their manager.