Swine Intern
Waukon Feed Ranch Inc · WFR · United States · On-site
Posted Oct 1, 2026
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Description
Position Overview: This role involves working on a modern, state-of-the-art farrow-to-wean sow farm. It's an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to kickstart their career in the swine industry and gain hands-on experience in Swine Research & Training. This is a 12-week internship.
Research Project Description
Intern will help create staff training videos while completing a measurable research project, choosing from topics 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 allows intern to apply practical skills, collect data, and generate insights that support animal welfare and herd performance. Findings will be presented to the WFR Swine Management team.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Learn and apply WFR core values and contribute to a positive culture.
Complete and take ownership of required research project
Experience all areas of a modern sow systems including farrowing, gestation, forecasting, reporting, and more
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
Collect and send blood, saliva, fecal, fluid, and tissue samples for testing as needed.
Experience multiple sow farms as well as other WFR departments
Assist in creating clear and professional training videos to support farm staff education
Maintain confidentiality regarding company information, employee information, production information, biosecurity practices, and other proprietary or confidential information.
Understand & follow WFR's biosecurity protocol, including showering in and out of the facility when visiting production sites
Understand & follow WFR's animal welfare policy
Understand & follow WFR's handbook and procedures
Work cooperatively and respectfully with a diverse team, contributing to a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment.
Maintain PQA+ certification
Reasonable Accommodations Statement: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.? Reasonable Accommodations…