Organization: Ferme Grazing Days Farm
Location: St-André-Avellin, QC, J0V 1W0
Duration: Permanent
Wage: $48,000 - $55,000 per year
Ferme Grazing Days Farm is seeking an individual to spearhead the production of our grass-fed beef, pastured pork and pastured chicken livestock. We are looking for someone, who is hard working, a self-starter, motivated, interested in regenerative agriculture and believes in quality local food.
About the Farm:
Ferme Grazing Days Farm (www.grazingdays.ca) sells quality grass-fed (and finished) Angus beef, pastured pork and pastured chickens raised on the farm directly to families who live in and around Ottawa, Gatineau, and Montreal. We practice regenerative agricultural practices because we know that properly managed livestock improves the health of the environment in which we live (health of our soils, protects our streams, rivers and aquifers) and is an effective way to combat climate change (sequesters carbon, harvest solar energy). Grazing Days is owned and operated by Paul Slomp, Josée Cyr-Charlebois and their three young children.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The Livestock Production Manager will spend most of their time looking after the needs of the cattle herd, the pig sounder and the chicken flock. The Livestock Production Manager will take the lead in obtaining organic certification for the farm’s beef, pork and chicken.
Specific tasks may include:
Grass-fed beef herd:
- Preparing an annual cattle production plan – including how many cattle we want to breed, how many stockers we want to purchase, when these cattle need to be slaughter ready.
- Making and implementing the pasture and grazing plan – with the goal of prolonging our grazing season as long as possible, without sacrificing animal condition
- Making and implementing the winter grazing and feeding plan (including salt and minerals) with an eye on minimizing the amount of tractor hours needed to feed.
- Observing the cattle herd, monitoring herd health and wellbeing, and dealing with any issues that arise
- Moving the livestock to fresh grass daily or several times a day.
- Monitoring and repairing/cleaning electric fences (includes the tear down and clean up of old fences and constructing new ones) and waterlines/ troughs
- Keeping of appropriate records
Pastured Pig sounder:
- Preparing an annual pig production plan – including how many piglets we want to purchase, when these pigs need to be slaughter ready.
- Making and implementing the pasture and grazing plan – with the goal of rehabilitating our pastures and minimizing our work.
- Making and implementing the feeding and bedding plan (including salt and minerals) with an eye on obtaining bulk feed discounts and minimizing the amount of tractor hours needed to feed.
- Observing the pig sounder, monitoring their health and wellbeing, and dealing with any issues that arise
- Moving the livestock to fresh pasture daily
- Monitoring and repairing/cleaning electric fences (includes the tear down and clean up of old fences and constructing new ones) and water lines /troughs
- Keeping of appropriate records
Pastured Chicken Flock:
- Preparing an annual chicken production plan – including how many chicks we want to purchase, when these chickens need to be slaughter ready.
- Making and implementing the pasture and grazing plan – with the goal of rehabilitating our pastures and minimizing our work.
- Making and implementing the feeding and bedding plan with an eye on obtaining bulk feed discounts and minimizing the amount of tractor hours needed to feed.
- Observing the chicken flock, monitoring their health and wellbeing, and dealing with any issues that arise (This includes the initial 3 week brooder phase and the later pasture phase)
- Moving the flock to fresh pasture daily during the pasture phase
- Monitoring and repairing/cleaning electric fences (includes the tear down and clean up of old fences and constructing new ones) and water lines /troughs
- Keeping of appropriate records
General:
- Conducting regular machinery repair and maintenance
- Conducting regular building repair and maintenance
- Looking after the general cleanliness and tidiness of the farm
- Leading farm tours for our customers and fellow regenerative farms
- Assisting with the packing meat orders
- Take photographs of the herd, grass, packed meats, etc. for social media
The Livestock production manager will work directly with Paul Slomp, one of the owners of Grazing Days.
Job Requirements
- Familiar with or a desire to learn about regenerative / organic livestock production
- Familiar with or a desire to learn about Holistic Management
- Experience managing livestock production
- Experience with low-stress or incentive based livestock handling
- Minimum 5 years experience working with livestock
- Minimum 5 years experience operating tractors and agricultural equipment
- Construction and welding experience an asset
- Work fast and efficiently out supervision
- Be able to happily work with others
Ferme Grazing Days Farm practices employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.
To Apply:
Apply with a letter of interest and resume to jobsemplois@grazingdays.ca by January 30th 2023.