Winter Sheep Worker
Employer: Kettle Mills Livestock Co LLC
Location: Columbus, MS
Workers needed: 2
Pay: $13.15/hour
Season: Nov 2, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Experience: 2 months
Employer-provided housing; Transportation provided/reimbursed
The job
The primary duties of this position are breeding-season sheep care and intensive winter forage management for large flocks of dry ewes in groups of more than 1,000 head. Workers will manage sheep through strip grazing of dormant pasture and annual forage grown on cropland. Workers will use temporary or portable fencing to allocate and ration available pasture resources daily and will move fencing and livestock based on forage availability and field conditions. Workers will monitor grazing activity for signs of bloat and manage grazing density and duration to reduce damage to underlying cropland and soil compaction. Workers will provide hay or other supplemental feed when necessary.
Early in the season, workers will increase the nutritional intake of ewes through supplemental feeding, commonly referred to as “flushing,” as directed, to promote higher ovulation rates and improve the likelihood of twin lambs. Workers will prepare ewes and rams for breeding by administering medications, vaccines, or supplements as directed; checking ewes’ udders; trimming and evaluating feet for breeding soundness; and assisting with inspections of rams for breeding soundness. Workers will restrain and handle animals while assisting a veterinarian with semen and abortive-disease checks. Workers will monitor breeding activity in the field and identify, separate, and remove rams from breeding groups when they are not performing, as directed. Later in the season, workers will budget dormant forage, hay, and supplemental feed to carry the flock through the winter.
Workers will maintain livestock water access by breaking ice, draining water lines, and hauling water when necessary. Workers will monitor weather conditions and prepare adequate shelter and protection for livestock during winter storms or severe weather. Workers will repair netting and other portable fencing equipment, make minor repairs to water trailers, and perform routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs on tractors and ATVs in preparation for the next lambing season.
Throughout the employment period, workers will perform routine flock-health activities, including monitoring sheep for illness or injury and administering medications, vaccines, or supplements as directed. Workers will sort, move, load, and unload sheep as needed; maintain fencing, gates, water systems, and livestock facilities; operate tractors, ATVs, and other standard farm equipment safely; perform routine equipment checks and minor maintenance; care for and feed livestock guardian dogs; maintain routine records; and perform other general farm labor duties related to sheep care and winter pasture management.
Workers will perform duties in enclosed and managed pasture and agricultural areas and return to employer-provided housing or a fixed worksite daily. This position does not involve open-range herding or continuous remote monitoring of sheep.
Housing: Employer-provided (including mobile or range)
Meals: The employer will furnish free and convenient cooking and kitchen facilities so workers may prepare their own meals. Employer will provide (on a voluntary basis) transportation to assure workers access to stores where they can purchase groceries and/or other incidentals.
If free and convenient kitchen facilities become unavailable for any reason, the employer will provide three (3) meals a day for which it will charge individual workers, by payroll deduction, no more than the daily permitted amount as provided in 20 CFR 655.173, which was $16.78 as of April 7, 2026, and which may be increased during the period of this employment.
Transport: Employer will either arrange for inbound and outbound transportation via a charter bus service for the worker, or if the worker prefers to arrange their own transportation, Employer will reimburse the worker at no less than the most economical and reasonable common carrier transportation charges for the distances involved as well as for the related daily subsistence costs while the worker is traveling. Please see Work Term 1 of 12 for more detailed Inbound/Outbound Transportation arrangements.
Experience wanted: 2 months
Two (2) months of experience with intensive grazing management. One reference required. A US equivalent drivers license is required. The worker must be able to lift and carry 85 pounds.
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