Independent Contractor Pen Rider Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Frontier Feedyard in Spearman, Texas

About the Company:

Cactus Feeders is an Amarillo, Texas-based cattle company. Originally founded by the Engler Family in 1975, Cactus is now 100% Employee Owned, producing a million head of fed cattle annually. The Company has locations throughout the Texas Panhandle, Southwest Kansas, and Eastern Colorado.

About the Position

A Pen Rider is responsible for daily observation and care of cattle by riding horseback through assigned pens to identify animals showing signs of illness, injury, or distress. This role plays a critical part in animal health, welfare, and overall feedyard performance by promptly identifying and segregating cattle requiring treatment.

Job Responsibilities

• Receive and check in cattle, including weighing, unloading, and verifying head counts
• Assign and place cattle into designated pens
• Ride pens daily to observe cattle health and behavior
• Identify, pull, and segregate sick or injured cattle for treatment
• Assist with processing cattle, including working cattle through handling facilities
• Sort and ship cattle as needed
• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs of feedyard facilities and equipment
• Ride a horse and work cattle on foot as required
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment
• Perform other duties as assigned to support feedyard operations

Qualifications

• Ability to provide and maintain a suitable horse and tack for daily work (Required)
• Prior experience in one or more cattle production segments (cow-calf, stocker, or cattle feeding) preferred
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred but not required
• Strong livestock-handling skills and attention to animal health and welfare
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team

Pay & Benefits:

• Hourly compensation based on experience and skillset
• Full-time position with bi-weekly pay via direct deposit
• Monthly horse stipend to support horse care and upkeep
• Competitive and affordable insurance package, including health, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• 100% Paid Retirement through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Continuing education scholarships are available for employees and eligible immediate family members

Cactus Feeders provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.