The part-time employees were paid mostly by the hour or on a per day basis. Hourly wages ranged from $6-$10/hour and by the day, the wages ranged from $50-$100/day with most from $75-$100/day. Some said they paid extra if part-time employee provided a horse and one employer indicating payment of $25/horse and another paid $15/horse. Three employers listed monthly wages for part-time employees and these were $500, $1550 and $1600.

All but two of the employers provided housing and utilities for their ranch hands. The value placed on the housing ranged from $150-$600/month with an average of $345/month. The value of the utilities ranged from $100-$400/month with an average of $157/month. Fifteen of the employers provided beef. The value of the beef ranged from $400-$2000/year with an average of $975/year. Most indicated the value of beef was $1000-$1500/year. One employer provided beef plus groceries valued at $7200/year. One said he provided a half beef/year and one indicated the employee gets meals.

Nine of the employers paid for some health insurance. The range that the employer paid was $200-$700/month with an average of $310/month. Eleven employees paid for part of their health insurance which ranged from $50-$280/month and averaged $106/month. One employer paid $14/month for disability insurance and one paid $40/month for other insurance. Four employers provided for retirement. The annual cash payments for retirement were $3800, $1000 and $600 and one employer paid 3% of gross. Two had a profit sharing program with one indicating 8% and the other paying $4300/year. Sixteen employers paid yearly bonuses that ranged from $200-$6000 for an average of $1570/year.

Seven employers allowed employees to run cattle. The numbers ranged from 5-25 head. The value placed on running cattle was from $1800-$7500/year. Twenty employers allowed employees to run horses. Numbers ranged from 1-15 head with most allowing 1-4 horses. The total value of running horses ranged from $100-$3450/year for an average annual value of $1097. Some employers listed the value as it related to the number of horses. Among those respondents, the value/horse ranged from $100-$600/year for an average of $375/year/horse. Pets were allowed by 22 employers. Most allowed dogs or cats although one specifically prohibited cats. Some allowed ponies and/or goats. Several stipulated the pets could not be in the house or dogs could not be used to move cattle. Others said pets were allowed if they did not cause problems.

Five employers allowed one week of vacation time while three allowed 10 days for vacation. Four gave two weeks vacation and one allowed up to four weeks vacation. Six said vacation was taken as needed or worked out between the employer and employee. Three indicated that they allowed four sick days and one employer indicated the employee had either 10 days vacation or 10 sick days. Most indicated sick days were allowed as needed. Seven employers gave employees five holidays/year off. One gave three holidays, one gave four holidays off and one gave six holidays off. Three indicated holidays were taken by the employee as needed. Another respondent said holidays “float” and two indicated they gave most Sundays off.

Twenty-one employers said they require references when hiring and 16 said they provide references to potential employees. Ten required one or two references while nine employers required three or four references. Employers were asked under what circumstances would they hire an inexperienced ranch hand. Six said they would not hire such an employee. Five said they would hire an inexperienced employee if he/she had a strong desire to learn and four said they would hire a person with no experience if the employee was willing to work. Others said they would hire an inexperienced person for haying, feeding, irrigation, for summer help or if the employer was desperate and couldn’t find anyone else. Others indicated they would consider it if the person was self-motivated and of good character, had valued skills, had a good attitude, was a foreign exchange student, was willing to work for lower wages or had good references.

Employers were asked what skills they felt were essential for an employee to have and what their expectations were for their employees. Many of these answers overlapped. Eighteen employers said that their employees either needed to have some mechanical skills and/or be able to operate equipment and take care of it. Twelve cited knowledge of cattle or cattle handling. Five indicated riding, roping or horse knowledge were important. Six said it was important for employees to know about animal health and nutrition and six said fencing experience was important. Four said good communication was important and expected and there were several that said it was important that the employee be pleasant to be around. Three said they thought ranch hands should have employee management skills. Fourteen named honesty as essential. Five said a good attitude, self-motivation and showing up to work on time were among the expectations they have for their employees. Six cited work ethic as essential and four said it was important for employees to be dependable. Five indicated that it was important for employees to have pride in their work. There were six employers who said it was essential and expected for employees follow instructions as specified by the employer, manager or foreman. Other expectations were: goals, values, performance and retirement fund. Several also said it was very important for the employee to learn and understand how their particular ranch operates.

Employers were asked what non-monetary things they did to attract or keep employees. Some of the answers to that question included: provide training such as A.I. school or nutrition seminars; treat employees like family; give the employee responsibility; be flexible; show gratitude and praise employee; provide good working conditions; keep machinery and pick ups in good condition; work with them a lot; allow time off; provide positive work environment; further their education through clinics, schools, conferences, etc.; provide quality housing and facilities; allow to take children along when possible; treat with respect; allow employees to use trailers, lawn mowers and other equipment; allow them to run cows; provide lunch, pop and snacks throughout the day; allow only employees to hunt on the ranch; be flexible in time off; try to include the employee in the decision making; have monthly meetings; provide incentives for reaching goals; well maintained house with all appliances; keeping work area and equipment clean; run horses for kids; let them have a garden; keep their vehicles inside and allow hunting and fishing on the ranch.

The challenge cited most often by employers when hiring an employee was finding someone with the skills and/or who was willing to work. Some said paying a competitive wage was a challenge. Others said finding an honest or trustworthy employee was challenging. Four noted that their distance from town made it difficult to either hire employees or made it difficult if the spouse wanted to work. Two said one of their challenges was finding an employee who was a good fit for their operation. Others cited it was difficult to find available employees to hire. Other challenges named were: shopping, school, finding people with out “baggage” such as a divorce or a criminal record.