Objective
The Front End Specialist in the swine industry is responsible for overseeing and managing the early stages of swine production, primarily focusing on farrowing operations to maximize production. This role ensures proper care for sows and piglets, maintains high reproductive performance, and upholds biosecurity and welfare standards. The Front End Specialist works closely with farm managers and technicians to optimize efficiency in the farrowing processes.
Role and Responsibilities
- Assist with farrowing operations, ensuring proper sow and piglet care during labor and delivery per protocols.
- Monitor newborn piglets to ensure adequate colostrum intake and early-life health.
- Perform piglet processing tasks such as tail docking, iron injections, and castration as per farm protocols.
- Monitor sows and piglets for signs of illness, injury, or distress, and report concerns to farm management.
- Administer vaccinations and treatments as needed to maintain herd health.
- Ensure proper sow nutrition and hydration and lactation.
- Maintain a clean and sanitary farrowing and breeding environment.
- Enforce biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission.
- Ensure proper ventilation, temperature control, and pen setup for optimal sow and piglet comfort.
- Maintain accurate data on breeding dates, farrowing rates, litter performance, and mortality.
- Ensure communication performance issues with Farrowing Lead and Site manager.
- Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations, biosecurity protocols, and company policies.
- Assist in farm audits and reporting production metrics.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Experience in swine production, particularly in farrowing operations.
- Strong knowledge of reproductive physiology, artificial insemination, and neonatal piglet care.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Work Environment
- Exposure to farm conditions, including varying temperatures, noise, and odors
- Requires hands-on animal handling and manual labor.
- Some travel may be required for training or company meetings.
Physical Requirements
- Standing, walking, and ability to be on feet 8 to 10 hours per day
- Frequent bending, reaching, squatting, and kneeling
- Frequent use of one or both hands/arms to grasp or pull
- Frequent lifting of objects weighing 3-20 pounds
- Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or requiring up to 50 pounds of force to move
- Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 100 pounds or requiring up to 100 pounds of force to move with the assistance of another person as needed
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Ability to attend and participate in meetings of various lengths
Skills Required
- Experience in swine production, particularly farrowing operations
- Knowledge of reproductive physiology and artificial insemination
- Neonatal piglet care experience (ensuring colostrum intake, monitoring health)
- Ability to perform piglet processing tasks (tail docking, iron injections, castration) per protocols
- Ability to administer vaccinations and treatments to maintain herd health
- Maintain accurate production data on breeding dates, farrowing rates, litter performance, and mortality
- Enforce biosecurity measures and ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and company policies
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
What We Do
PIPESTONE is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping farmers today create the farms of tomorrow. Founded in 1942 as a veterinary clinic, the company provides expertise and resources in pig health, management, nutrition, research, and marketing. It offers world-class sow management and veterinary services to hog, bovine, and companion animal producers across the Midwest.
