Oxbow Cattle Company Press Blog

2022 Oxbow Cattle Company Seasonal Goat Herder/ Hired Hand

General Information

  • Location: Oxbow Cattle Co., Missoula, MT
  • Position: Seasonal Goat Herder/Hired Hand
  • Compensation: Monthly Stipend – amount depends upon experience
  • Start Date: May 9th, 2022
  • End Date: September 30th, 2022
  • Last Date to Apply: April 15, 2022

 

Description:

Oxbow Cattle Company Mission: 

Regenerate the ecosystem 

Respect all animals 

Connect with our community 

Produce high quality and healthy food that nourishes the body and soul

 

Oxbow Cattle Company is a regenerative ranching operation that raises high quality grass-finished beef and sells it directly to the community of Missoula and surrounding areas. We use the most current regenerative management techniques for year-round grazing of our cattle herds and are always evolving and learning to improve upon this. In 2019 we introduced multi-species grazing with goats to help mitigate weeds. We’ve found that goats play a crucial role in our holistic land management goals and have decided to integrate them back into our grazing rotation this summer. The focus of this position will be to care for and rotationally graze our herd of 30 goats. This job is not an 8-5, 5 days a week job, we usually work longer days and weekends. With that said we strive for a life/work balance. This position will challenge you both physically and mentally but will be very rewarding.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Constructing and deconstructing temporary paddocks out of electric net fencing to target heavily weeded areas
  • Daily herding of goats while free-grazing in open pastures
  • Visually monitoring pasture condition to determine frequency of grazing moves and size/shape of paddocks
  • Work with Oxbow employees on a daily basis
  • Assisting with flood irrigation
  • Assisting with infrastructure projects
  • Assisting with the cattle operation when asked

 

The herder can expect to operate equipment including 4-wheelers, side-by-sides, drive trucks and trailers, and work with the Oxbow crew. The herder must be physically fit and able to work outside in all weather conditions, and be willing to become wet and dirty on a daily basis. This position provides a large amount of autonomy and responsibility, requiring a self-starting, figure-it-out attitude. This is our second season with goats and we are excited for a dynamic partnership with the right person. 

 

Additional Information:

 

  • Housing will not be provided.
  • You will be required to carry your own personal cell phone for communication.
  • You will be required to provide your own transportation for all personal use such as travel to and from work.

 

How to Apply

 

Send your resume to [email protected] along with answers to the following three questions:

  • What does regenerative agriculture mean to you?
  • Describe what a good and contributing team member looks like.
  • Tell us about your relationship and experience caring for animals.

 

 

 

You’ve never Seen the Land Until You’ve Seen it From the Air

(we are featured at 2:30)

Five Valleys Land Trust, May 2018

 

 

Update: Oxbow Cattle Company Conservation Easement

Five Valleys Land Trust, May 2018

Caring for the Land, a Passion and a Mission

NRCS, February 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oxbow Cattle Company Conservation Easement

Five Valleys Land Trust, November 2017
ox · bow
/ 'äks,bō /
An abandoned channel in the course of a river, shaped like a U. We graze our cows on the ancient "oxbows" of the Bitterroot River, where these sub-irrigated fertile remnants of the Bitterroot provide lush feed for grass-finishing cattle.