Swine Intern Emphasis Swine Research & Training presso WFR

Description

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 Swine Research & Training.  This is a 12-week internship. 

Research Project Description: 

The focus area of this internship is to assist in creating training videos to support staff education while also completing a measurable research project. The intern will have the opportunity to choose a research topic from a range of focus areas, such as: Piglet Welfare Management (e.g., separating piglets for colostrum access vs. drying piglets, or drying piglets vs. assisting the sow), Farrowing rate analysis based on sow condition scores, or Sow mortality tracking in relation to condition scores. This component allows interns to apply practical skills, collect data, and generate insights that contribute to continuous improvement in animal welfare and herd performance. 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 
• Assist in creating clear and professional training videos to support farm staff education 
• Topics may include (but not limited to): 
• Properly calipering a sow 
• Processing Procedures 
• How to Sleeve Sows 
• Heat Detection for Breeding 
• AI Insertion 
• Administrating shots to glits, sows, and piglets  
• 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.   

Requirements

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.