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There is NO closing date on this position.  This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT is searching for a qualified Ranch Assistant / Right-Hand Man for a progressive cattle and ranch operation in east-central Minnesota. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced cattleman who takes pride in livestock care, enjoys working horseback, and wants to become a dependable, long-term member of a well-managed agricultural operation.

The employer is looking for more than a general ranch hand. This individual will work closely with the Ranch Manager and become a trusted right-hand employee involved in all areas of cattle production and day-to-day ranch operations. The ideal candidate will have strong cow-calf experience, sound livestock judgment, the ability to identify and treat health concerns, and a willingness to handle whatever responsibilities are most important each day.

This operation manages approximately 700-750 cow-calf pairs, including an established commercial cow herd and additional custom cattle. The ranch also backgrounds and preconditions calves, develops replacement heifers, and manages cattle throughout the full production cycle.

Most crop and hay production is custom hired, allowing this position to remain focused primarily on cattle, feeding, facilities, equipment, and ranch maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the daily care and management of approximately 700-750 cow-calf pairs.
• Monitor cattle health and quickly identify sick, injured, or distressed animals.
• Treat, doctor, sort, load, move, and process cattle safely and efficiently.
• Assist with calving cows and heifers and provide proper care for newborn calves.
• Participate in breeding, artificial insemination, pregnancy checking, vaccination, and herd-health programs.
• Ride through cattle on horseback during the grazing season, monitor herd health, and rope or doctor cattle when necessary.
• Gather and move cattle using quiet, low-stress livestock-handling techniques.
• Monitor pastures and rotate cattle for optimum forage and cattle management
• Feed cows, calves, and replacement females throughout the winter.
• Operate tractors, loader tractors, mixer wagons, hay processors, skid steers, payloaders, and other ranch equipment.
• Assist with silage packing, covering feed piles, moving baleage, and handling hay when needed.
• Perform fencing, facility repairs, road maintenance, mowing, and general property upkeep.
• Complete routine equipment maintenance and basic repairs.
• Maintain barns, pens, cattle facilities, equipment, and work areas.
• Work independently while communicating closely with the Ranch Manager and other employees.
• Complete additional ranch duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strong cow-calf and general cattle-production experience.
• Ability to identify cattle-health concerns and provide appropriate treatment.
• Experience calving cows and heifers.
• Horseback cattle experience is strongly preferred. Candidates should be comfortable riding outside in varying terrain and using horses as a practical livestock-management tool.
• Experience gathering, sorting, and doctoring cattle horseback is highly desirable.
• The ideal candidate understands that successful ranching involves much more than horseback work. This position requires someone equally willing to feed cattle, build fence, repair equipment, maintain facilities, and complete whatever work is needed each day.
• Experience operating tractors, loaders, mixer wagons, skid steers, hay processors, or similar agricultural equipment.
• Pasture and forage management experience is highly desirable.
• Basic mechanical ability and willingness to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs.
• Fencing, welding, plumbing, carpentry, or general ranch-maintenance experience is beneficial.
• Dependable, trustworthy, self-motivated, and able to work as part of a small, close-knit team.
• Valid driver's license required. CDL is beneficial but not required.

Horses & Ranch Lifestyle

Working horses remain an important part of this ranch's cattle program. During much of the grazing season, employees regularly ride through cattle to monitor herd health, locate and treat sick animals, and move livestock across pasture. While horseback experience is highly valued, the employer is looking for a cattleman first—someone who views horses as one of many tools used to efficiently manage livestock.

Employees who own quality working horses are welcome. For approved horses used in the ranch operation, the employer is willing to provide pasture, feed, and routine care, including farrier expenses. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working horseback while also appreciating the many other responsibilities that come with a successful ranch operation.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position that generally averages approximately 45-50 hours per week over the course of the year. Longer hours will be required during calving, breeding, weaning, winter feeding, and other peak production periods.

Location and Climate

The ranch is located in east-central Minnesota. Candidates must be comfortable working outdoors year-round in changing weather conditions, including snow, cold temperatures, mud, heat, and humidity.

Compensation & Benefits

The employer offers a competitive compensation package based on experience, cattle-handling ability, horseback skills, mechanical aptitude, and overall qualifications.

Compensation and benefits include:

• Approximately $24+/- per hour, DOE
• Opportunity for higher compensation based on experience and qualifications
• Overtime after 40 hours
• Paid vacation
• Possible employee housing or housing assistance
• Health-insurance assistance
• Retirement program with possible employer contribution
• Performance and seasonal bonuses
• Beef provided
• Ranch work vehicle
• Opportunity to keep approved working horses with feed, pasture, and routine care provided
• Long-term advancement opportunities

Opportunity

This opening was created by the departure of a long-term employee who is relocating for family reasons. The employer is looking for someone who wants to become a trusted right-hand employee and build a long-term future with a progressive cattle operation.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a dependable cattleman who enjoys working with quality livestock, appreciates the value of good horses, and wants to become an important part of a respected Minnesota ranching operation.

ALL INQUIRIES ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. NO FEES TO APPLICANTS.

If you feel that you are not a candidate for this position, but know someone who is, we do offer a Referral Bonus if we place your referral into this position.

To apply please click on APPLY TO THIS POSITION