Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Herd Worker

🎯 Role Definition

A Herd Worker (also called stockperson, ranch hand, or farm laborer) is responsible for the day-to-day care, handling, and welfare of livestock. This role focuses on feeding, watering, monitoring animal health, assisting with breeding and birthing, maintaining pastures and fences, operating farm machinery, and ensuring biosecurity and animal welfare compliance. The Herd Worker works closely with herd managers, veterinarians, and other farm staff to maintain productivity, safety, and high standards of animal care.

Key search terms: herd worker, stockperson, livestock attendant, animal husbandry, cattle hand, sheep worker, pasture management, calving assistant, biosecurity, farm operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Farm Laborer / General Farm Worker
Agricultural Intern / Seasonal Stockperson
Animal Care Assistant (shelter or small-holding)

Advancement To:

Head Herdsperson / Senior Stockperson
Herd Manager / Ranch Manager
Livestock Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Veterinary Technician Assistant (livestock)
Equipment Operator / Tractor Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Feed and water livestock according to established rations and schedules; mix and distribute feed, monitor feed bunks and water systems, and adjust feed in coordination with the herd manager to maintain optimal body condition and production.
Observe each animal daily for signs of illness, injury, lameness, or abnormal behavior; isolate sick animals and report findings promptly to the herd manager or veterinarian to reduce disease spread.
Administer medications, vaccines, and routine treatments as directed by the veterinarian or herd manager, accurately recording dosages and treatment dates in herd health records.
Assist with breeding programs, including heat detection, sorting animals for breeding, assisting with artificial insemination logistics, and maintaining breeding records and pedigree tracking.
Provide hands-on assistance during calving, lambing, or kidding seasons: monitor at-risk dams, assist with difficult births, perform newborn checks, and stabilize neonates for veterinary intervention when necessary.
Perform routine hoof care and trimming or assist visiting hoof trimmers; recognize signs of foot rot, overgrowth, and hoof trauma and recommend corrective action.
Load and unload livestock for transport at sale yards or processing facilities, using proper handling techniques, low-stress movement, and secure loading ramps and chutes.
Move herds between pastures and working facilities using ATVs, tractors, horses, or on foot; plan and execute safe and efficient mustering, drafting, and sorting procedures.
Maintain pasture health through rotational grazing, water trough checks, and fence integrity inspections; collaborate on pasture improvement projects such as reseeding or weed control.
Construct, repair, and maintain fences, gates, feed bunks, and livestock handling facilities, using hand tools and powered equipment while adhering to safety standards.
Operate and maintain farm vehicles and machinery (tractors, ATVs, stock trailers, water pumps), including pre-use inspections, basic servicing, and fueling, to support daily herd operations.
Implement and follow biosecurity protocols to prevent introduction and spread of infectious diseases; manage quarantine areas and decontamination procedures for visitors and equipment.
Maintain accurate herd records, including births, deaths, weights, treatments, vaccine histories, and feed usage; use paper logs or digital herd-management software as required.
Conduct routine health screenings and herd performance monitoring: weigh stock, record growth rates, body condition scoring, and assist in nutritional adjustments based on data.
Perform facility sanitation: clean pens, stalls, water troughs, and manure handling to maintain hygiene, reduce parasite loads, and meet regulatory standards.
Assist in emergency response protocols for fires, disease outbreaks, severe weather, or animal escapes; participate in drills and maintain emergency equipment readiness.
Coordinate with external contractors and service providers (veterinarians, AI technicians, contractors) to schedule visits, prepare animals, and provide accurate records for treatments and procedures.
Participate in handling and management of newborn care programs, including colostrum management, bottle-feeding or tube-feeding, and tracking orphaned or compromised neonates.
Monitor and maintain water infrastructure: check troughs, pumps, pipelines, and solar systems; troubleshoot simple faults and report major repairs.
Support record-based programs such as traceability, animal identification (ear tags/tattoos), and compliance with local or national regulatory programs.
Assist with herd performance improvement initiatives, including data collection for genetics programs, performance testing, and participation in producer-led trials.
Train, mentor, or supervise seasonal workers and junior staff on safe livestock handling, feeding routines, and equipment use to maintain consistent herd care standards.
Participate in routine inventory and ordering of supplies: feed, vaccines, medications, fencing materials, and PPE; manage on-farm stock levels to prevent shortages.
Implement animal welfare best practices in handling, transport, and facility design, ensuring humane treatment and compliance with welfare certifications and retailer requirements.
Conduct basic diagnostic sampling under supervision (e.g., milk samples, fecal samples, temp checks) and ensure proper labeling, storage, and transport to labs when required.

Secondary Functions

Assist with farmwide maintenance tasks such as building repairs, painting, and seasonal clean-up activities to support safe operations across the property.
Support supply chain coordination by helping load orders for feed deliveries, receiving shipments, and verifying invoices or delivery quantities.
Participate in regular team meetings and contribute observations and recommendations to improve herd health, production efficiency, and animal welfare outcomes.
Help maintain digital herd-management systems by entering data, reconciling records, and generating simple reports for managers and veterinarians.
Provide educational demonstrations for visiting staff, interns, or clients on safe livestock handling and farm biosecurity measures.
Support sustainability initiatives such as manure management, nutrient recycling, rotational grazing plans, and conservation practices that align with farm goals.
Conduct simple mechanical troubleshooting and preventive maintenance on waterers, feeders, and handling equipment; escalate complex issues to mechanics or managers.
Assist with on-farm events such as delivery days, farm tours, and buyer inspections by preparing animals, facilities, and necessary documentation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Livestock handling and low-stress animal movement techniques (cattle, sheep, goats).
Animal health assessment: recognizing clinical signs, body condition scoring, and basic triage.
Administration of vaccines, pour-ons, drenches, and routine medication under direction.
Calving/lambing assistance and newborn resuscitation techniques.
Operation and basic maintenance of farm machinery: tractors, ATVs/UTVs, feed mixers, water pumps, and stock trailers.
Fence construction and repair: wire, post, electric fencing systems and gate fitting.
Use of livestock handling facilities: chutes, crushes, working yards, and loading ramps.
Herd record-keeping and traceability systems, including ear tagging and digital herd-management software entry.
Basic hoof care and recognition of foot problems or lameness.
Safe livestock loading/unloading, transport preparation, and compliance with transport regulations.
Biosecurity protocol implementation, quarantine procedures, and sanitation measures.
Experience with pasture management: rotational grazing, forage assessment, and water management.
Basic mechanical and electrical troubleshooting on farm systems.
Sample collection for diagnostic testing (milk, fecal, blood) and correct lab submission practices.

Soft Skills

Strong observation and attention to detail to detect early health or welfare concerns.
Physical stamina, resilience, and the ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
Clear communication skills to liaise with managers, vets, and co-workers and to document observations accurately.
Teamwork and the ability to supervise or train seasonal staff.
Problem-solving and initiative in fast-paced or emergency situations.
Time management and reliability to follow routine schedules (feeding, checks, treatments).
Commitment to animal welfare and ethical livestock care.
Adaptability to changing herd needs, seasonal workloads, and farm priorities.
Safety-focused mindset with adherence to PPE and machinery safety procedures.
Customer-facing professionalism for farm tours, buyer interactions, or vendor coordination.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; demonstrable practical experience often preferred over formal education.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma in Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Farm Management, or related vocational training.
Short courses or certifications in animal first aid, livestock handling, or biosecurity are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Agriculture / Agricultural Technology
Veterinary Nursing / Veterinary Assistance
Range and Pasture Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years working directly with livestock in a farm or ranch setting.

Preferred:

2+ years of hands-on experience with the specific species managed (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats).
Experience in calving/lambing seasons, herd breeding programs, and routine herd health protocols.
Prior work with mobile equipment (tractors, ATVs) and familiarity with agricultural safety practices.
Valid driver's license; certifications such as chemical handling, ATV/UTV operation, or animal welfare training preferred.