Job description
Prairie Crest Farms, a modern livestock operation near Ames, Iowa, is seeking a results-driven Livestock Farm Manager to lead day-to-day production and team coordination. This role combines hands-on animal care with strategic planning to optimize herd health, welfare, and productivity across cattle, hogs, and sheep.
As the Farm Manager, you will oversee feeding programs, housing, welfare plans, biosecurity protocols, veterinary collaboration, and data-driven decision making. You will partner with owners to implement sustainable farming practices, manage budgets, schedule staff, and ensure compliance with environmental and animal welfare regulations.
We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a forward-looking agricultural operation.
Responsibility
- Oversee daily farm operations for cattle, swine, and small ruminants, ensuring optimal health and productivity.
- Design and implement feeding programs, housing designs, ventilation, and welfare plans.
- Monitor herd health, coordinate veterinary care, vaccination schedules, parasite control, and disease prevention.
- Hire, train, supervise, and schedule farm staff; enforce safety and sanitization protocols.
- Maintain accurate production, feed, medication, and biosecurity records; prepare regular reports for ownership.
- Manage budgets, inventory, equipment maintenance, and preventive maintenance plans.
- Ensure compliance with animal welfare standards, environmental regulations, and farm biosecurity measures.
- Lead continuous improvement projects, analyze performance data, and implement best practices.
Qualification
- 3+ years of livestock farming or farm management experience, preferably with cattle, hogs, and sheep.
- Strong knowledge of animal husbandry, nutrition, health monitoring, vaccination, and biosecurity.
- Proficiency in reading production data and using farm management software.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and team-management skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, and extended shifts during peak seasons.
- Valid driver's license and ability to operate common farm equipment (tractors, loaders, etc.).
- Bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field is a plus; equivalent experience considered.