Position Overview:

 This role will also involve working on a modern day, state of the art farrow to wean sow farm. This position is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual who is looking to kickstart their career in the swine industry and gain practical knowledge specifically related to piglet care. This is a 12-week internship.

Research Project Description:

The focus area of this internship is to look at the effects of day one care on piglet health. The intern will spend the first two weeks learning about day one farrowing care. The next ten weeks will be spent measuring the effectiveness of extra day one care techniques such as piglet drying and colostrum assistance.  The intern will use data derived from pre-wean mortality information and wean information to determine the effectiveness of their work. The findings of this research project will be presented to the WFR Swine Management team.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

• Complete and take ownership of required research project 
• Experience all areas of a modern sow systems including farrowing, gestation, forecasting, reporting, and more
• Experience multiple sow farms as well as other WFR departments
• Learn all areas of day one care, sorting, and writing up litters in farrowing and utilize a thermal camera to confirm piglet viability
• Keep detailed records to records on day one care and analyze data 
• Ensuring all animals are receiving proper feed, water, and ventilation
• Shipping and receiving animals
• Treating animals
• Heat checking and breeding sows and gilts via artificial insemination
• Assisting with the birthing process of sows and gilts including sleeving 
• Caring for piglets and ensuring they are off to a good start
• Moving animals with a sort board
• Cleaning facilities including power-washing, disinfecting, scraping manure, picking up cleanings, and removing deceased animals
• Weaning piglets from their mothers and giving wean shots 
• Processing piglets including castration, docking tails, tattooing, and giving injections
• Following the proper steps for timely euthanasia
• Pen management, culling, sorting\
• Keeping detailed, accurate records that comply with integrator
• Testing via blood/saliva samples as needed 
• Understand & follow WFR’s biosecurity protocol, must shower in and out of the facility
• Understand & follow WFR’s animal welfare policy
• Understand & follow WFR’s handbook and procedures
• Work respectfully with a diverse team of employees 
• Maintain PQA+ certification 

Reasonable Accommodations Statement: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.  

Education and Experience

• High school diploma required. Actively pursing a 2 or 4 year degree in      an agricultural field.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in work with animals with a desire to learn and self-develop
• Self-motivated team player with a positive attitude
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. 
• Ability to stand, walk and be on feet for 8 to 10 hours a day
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, squat & kneel
• Capable to do repeated actions
• Effectively communicate with team members 

Work Environment 

• Schedule: Must work scheduled days and hours. This is a 12-week internship with full      time hours (40-45 hours per week) available each week of the internship.
• Environment: indoors and outdoors, dusty environments, hog farm. Nosie level is usually moderate to loud. 
• Travel: Requirements are limited. May have to travel occasionally for meetings or to visit other farms.