POSITION TITLE: Sow Farm Manager
DEPARTMENT: Swine Vet Center Management
JOB STATUS: Full Time/Exempt
REPORTS TO: Production Manager
GENERAL JOB STATEMENT
The Sow Farm Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily aspects of the swine sow unit, including, but not limited to maintaining breeding/farrowing targets, daily AI, semen inventory and delivery, individual sow and piglet care, feeding, weekly farrowing, herd health and vaccination program, nutrition, isolation and acclimation of replacement gilts, and record keeping. This position will be in charge of daily tasks and scheduling for a crew of nine people.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Administration
Assist Production Manager with farm budgets and department budgets.
Manage and evaluate all farm employees and perform evaluations.
Manage and maintain farm production records.
Manage and maintain whole farm biosecurity standards.
Manage feed ordering and delivery.
Monitor and order medication, semen, and supplies for all departments.
Monitor department environmental controls.
Monitor health issues and report to Company Veterinarian.
Monitor pit status and coordinate timely removal of nutrients.
Monitor working condition of back-up generator.
Routinely check and repair facilities and equipment.
Submit weekly accurate farm records to Production Records department.
Submit weekly wean pig projection to Production Manager.
2. Daily Chores
Determine cull sows and transportation.
Maintain unit cleanliness.
Monitor semen delivery, inventory and expiration date of semen.
Monitor whole herd health.
Oversee all daily feeding of animals and chores, including checking waters, sow condition, building, and environment.
3. Breeding Department
Coordinate with Farrowing Department Head pre-farrow and post-farrow sow movements. Manage gilt inventory and gilt flow.
Monitor 21 and 42-day heat checks and 28 and 50-day pregnancy checks.
Oversee daily AI on sows and gilts.
Oversee daily heat checks on sows and gilts.
4. Gilt Development and Isolation Facilities
Implement best gilt management practices (i.e. gilt breeding age and feed regiment).
Maintain department vaccination schedule.
Maintain isolation/acclimation of gilts.
Monitor department health status.
Organize gilt scheduling, delivery and movements.
5. Farrowing Department
Coordinate with Breeding Department Head pre-farrow and post-farrow sow movements. Ensure accurate count of piglets being weaned to nurseries.
Ensure that genetic identification takes place at birth (tagging and notching).
Provide 5 week wean pig projections.
Schedule piglet processing, vaccination, and weaning.
6. Piglet Development
Manage and monitor quality control of piglets to be weaned.
Manage non-select wean piglet move out and transportation.
Manage piglet cross fostering.
Schedule and organize wean piglet movement and transportation.
Schedule and perform daily piglet processing, including iron shots, tail clipping, and castration.
Schedule and perform daily piglet weaning and vaccination.
7. Employee Administration
Assist other team members with time management and production skill development.
Ensure that each employee understands the expectations and performance requirements for his/her job.
Instruct staff on all production record keeping.
Meet regularly with employees for production discussion and problem solving.
Teach staff to work as a team and lead by example.
8. Biosecurity
Weekly audits of filtration.
Follow biosecurity rules.
Enforce and train staff on all biosecurity rules.
9. Leadership
Create a positive work environment for co-workers by leading from example.
Define personal and business short and long-term goals.
Positively represent the company at work and in the community.
10. Other Requirements and Responsibilities
All other tasks and responsibilities as may be required by SVC Management.
Attend staff meetings and trainings as scheduled and required.
Follow all safety rules and practices and encourage co-workers to do the same.
Follow all applicable biosecurity measures per policies.
Regular and consistent attendance.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Able to independently schedule work activities.
Ability to communicate effectively and read/interpret procedure manuals.
Ability to problem solve.
Effective time management.
On call for emergencies.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
At least two years of sow farm management on mid to large size farm or at least two years of leading a team of four or more people and five years of sow farm experience.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts closely with Farrowing and Breeding leads, Production Manager, Veterinarians, HR/PR Staff, and general office staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to move throughout the farm; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb 4-foot gates, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) medium to heavy weights of 50-75 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Frequently required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and communicate.
Job Type: Full Time
Pay: $60,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Health insurance
Paid time off
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Ability to commute/relocate:
Mankato, MN: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
Sow Farm Management: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person