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