Ranch Worker

Perform duties related to livestock reproduction, such as breeding animals within appropriate timeframes, performing artificial inseminations, and helping with animal births.

Shift animals between grazing areas to ensure that they have sufficient access to food.

Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.

Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.

Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.

Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.

Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.

Patrol grazing lands on horseback or using all-terrain vehicles.

Trim and shear poultry beaks, toes, and wings using debeaking machines, heated hand shears, or hot wires.

Order food for animals, and arrange for its delivery.

Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.

Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.

Milk animals such as cows and goats, by hand or using milking machines.

Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.

Spray livestock with disinfectants and insecticides, or dip or bathe animals.

Collect, inspect, and place eggs in incubators, operate machines for egg washing, candling, and grading, and pack eggs in cartons.

Protect herds from predators, using trained dogs.

Maintain growth, feeding, production, and cost records.

Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.

Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.

Groom, clip, trim, or castrate animals, dock ears and tails, or shear coats to collect hair.