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Animal Production Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Frost PLLC

Animal Welfare Auditor II

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$65K/yr

A bachelor's degree and education related to animal production and welfare is preferred. * A minimum of two years of experience and/or training in Animal production or welfare (equivalent combination ...

Frost PLLC

Animal Welfare Auditor II

Des Moines, IA

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

A bachelor's degree and education related to animal production and welfare is preferred. * A minimum of two years of experience and/or training in Animal production or welfare (equivalent combination ...

Daybreak Foods, Inc.

Animal Caretaker

Graettinger, IA · On-site

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods, Inc.

Animal Caretaker

Spencer, IA

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods, Inc.

Animal Caretaker

Clearfield, IA

$17.33/hr

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods

Animal Caretaker

Spencer, IA · On-site

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods

Animal Caretaker

Clearfield, IA · On-site

$17.33/hr

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods

Animal Caretaker

Graettinger, IA · On-site

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

Daybreak Foods

Animal Caretaker

Eagle Grove, IA · On-site

$17.33/hr

Summary Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Animal Caretaker will attend to the welfare and environment of the chickens and adhere to industry animal welfare practices and ...

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All JobsAnimal Production JobsAnimal Production Jobs in Iowa

Animal Production information

See Iowa salary details

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How much do animal production jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal production in Iowa is $15.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $17.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal production?

An Animal Production job involves the management and care of livestock for food, fiber, or other agricultural purposes. Responsibilities typically include breeding, feeding, health monitoring, and ensuring optimal living conditions for animals. Workers may specialize in poultry, dairy, beef, swine, or other livestock industries. The goal is to maximize productivity while maintaining ethical and sustainable farming practices. This role can be found on farms, research facilities, or large-scale production operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in animal production, and why are they important?

To excel in Animal Production, you need a solid background in animal science, husbandry techniques, and knowledge of livestock management, often backed by a relevant degree or agricultural certification. Familiarity with farm management software, animal health monitoring systems, and equipment operation is advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are key soft skills for success in this field. These competencies ensure the health, productivity, and efficiency of animal production operations in a dynamic work environment.

What are some typical challenges faced in an animal production role?

Professionals in Animal Production often face challenges such as maintaining animal health and biosecurity, managing feed costs, and adapting to changing weather or market conditions. The role may require monitoring large herds or flocks, dealing with unexpected health issues, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Strong organizational and communication skills help you work closely with veterinarians, farm workers, and other stakeholders to address these challenges. Adapting quickly to evolving industry practices and technologies is also important for ongoing success and efficiency.

What can you do with an animal production degree?

An animal production degree prepares individuals for careers in livestock management, farm operations, and animal husbandry. Graduates can work as farm managers, animal nutritionists, or quality control specialists, often requiring knowledge of animal health, breeding, and industry regulations.

What is the work of animal production?

Animal production involves managing the breeding, care, and management of livestock such as cattle, poultry, and pigs to produce meat, milk, wool, and other products. It includes tasks like feeding, health monitoring, record-keeping, and ensuring proper housing and environmental conditions to optimize productivity.

What are popular job titles related to Animal Production jobs in Iowa?

For Animal Production jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Production jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Production jobs in Iowa are:

Animal Production jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Production job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,870 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

Animal Production Specialist

Hanor Company Inc

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Animal Production Specialist

Animal Production Specialists are responsible for all aspects of husbandry as it relates to the care and production of swine.

Essential Functions – Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

General Duties for Sow Farm Production Units:

  • Collection, extension and dissemination of swine semen (Specific to Gene Transfer Centers)
  • Conducting estrus detection of female swine to accurately identify heat cycles.
  • Artificial insemination of female swine
  • Use of ultra-sound equipment for pregnancy detection
  • Attending to animals during and after birth of offspring, as needed
  • Processes piglets according to the processing plan specific to each farm:
    • Injecting or oral dosing piglets with proper medication
    • Surgically removes testes
    • Surgically removes tails.
    • Clips identifying notches or symbols on animals, attaches tags to the ear, and/or tattoos animals

General Duties for Nursery and Finisher Production Units:

  • Accepting weaned pigs at the farm, sorting and placing pigs in pens as outlined in HANOR Production Practices
  • Setting up and utilizing gruel machines for feeding disadvantaged weaned pigs
  • Vaccinating animals by utilizing vaccine in drinking water, feed or using syringes and hypodermic needles as dictated by the farm specific protocol
  • Will spend 80%-90% of time doing chores within the facility which include the following:
    • Daily walk through of pens to check for issues in the facility
    • Check Waters and feeders for proper settings
    • Order feed for the farm 2 days prior to delivery
    • Treat pigs that need to be treated on a daily basis
    • Record proper information on paperwork daily – i.e. Hi/Low temps, Water meter, Inventory
    • Responsible for Load in and Load out of the pigs from the facility
    • Responsible for whole herd vaccinations
    • Moving animals within the facility

General Duties for All Production Units:

  • Moving animals within the facility
  • Ensuring that animals have feed and water
  • Feeding and watering animals, by using the automatic or manual systems available
  • Examining animals to detect illness and injuries, Follow-up with proper treatment or euthanasia as necessary
  • Vaccinating animals by utilizing vaccine in drinking water, feed or using syringes and hypodermic needles as dictated by the farm specific protocol
  • Maintains proper hygiene in facilities
  • Minor repairs to equipment, buildings, crates, and pens
  • As necessary, euthanizing animals using company approved techniques
  • Recording/maintaining production and medication data as required

Supervisory Responsibilities Dependent on the level of experience and need, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis

Qualifications Basic knowledge of swine anatomy, swine production methods, people management principles, leadership techniques and resource management

Educations and/or Experience Graduate with a 4-year degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Animal Breeding, Animal Husbandry or other acceptable degree in related field of study

Language skills Basic/Novice written, and oral English abilities preferred.

Mathematical skills Basic/Intermediate math skills required.

Reasoning ability Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Must also follow instructions.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations None

Physical demands Often - Significant - Seldom

Lifting 1-5 pounds - X

Lifting 6-10 pounds - X

Lifting 11-25 pounds - X

Lifting 26-50 pounds - X

Lifting 51-100 pounds - X

Lifting 100 or more pounds - X

Carrying 1-5 pounds - X

Carrying 6-10 pounds - X

Carrying 11-25 pounds - X

Carrying 26-50 pounds - X

Carrying 51-100 pounds - X

Carrying 100 or more pounds - X

Ascending stairs - X

Descending stairs - X

Ascending ladders - X

Descending ladders - X

Sitting - X

Walking - X

Standing - X

Stopping - X

Kneeling - X

Bending - X

Squatting - X

Climbing - X

Pushing - X

Pulling - X

Twisting - X

Reaching above shoulders - X

Reaching below shoulders - X

Exposure to changes in temp. - X

Exposure to changes in Humidity - X

Exposure to dust - X

Exposure to fumes - X

Exposure to odors - X

Far Vision - X

Near Vision - X

Hearing - X

Talking - X

Depth Perception - X

Repetitive actions w/left hand - X

Repetitive actions w/right hand - X

Repetitive actions w/left foot - X

Repetitive action w/right foot - X

Work environment The temperature inside the facility will vary depending on the weather. Employees will come into contact with feed dust and the body fluids of animals that will include, but not limited to blood, saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter, etc.

This job description may not be all-inclusive and may be subject to change.

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