I have experience operating both modern and older agricultural tractors, including Massey Ferguson and New Holland/Ford. Regular tractor driving is part of my current role, involving a wide range of livestock, yard and field operations.

I have experience operating a front-loader tractor, straw chopper, feeder wagon, topper, mower, muck cart and bale trailer. My fieldwork experience includes drilling, rolling, power harrowing, discing, cultivating, chisel ploughing and subsoiling. I have also operated a post knocker for fencing work.

I am confident operating a range of agricultural machinery and implements, and am able to adapt to different equipment and setups. I am comfortable learning to operate unfamiliar machinery when given the correct instructions and procedure.

I am JCB telehandler and UTV qualified and take a safety-conscious approach when operating machinery around livestock, vehicles and other people. I am also familiar with carrying out routine machinery checks and identifying and reporting faults or maintenance issues.

I have extensive hands-on experience working with a range of livestock, including dairy cows and calves, sheep, and pigs. I am involved in the day-to-day care and management of the animals, including feeding, watering, weighing, maintaining clean/pens/yard and equipment, handling and moving livestock, monitoring health and welfare, and carrying out routine treatments such as vaccinations. I also have experience using technology to monitor animal health and behaviour, including SenseHub.

I have practical experience in lambing, calving and calf rearing, as well as a wide range of routine livestock husbandry tasks. I am confident with weighing, tagging, castrating, milking, halter training and general stock handling.

I currently milk approximately 145 Dairy Shorthorn and Ayrshire cows in an 8-a-side herringbone parlour, where I am also involved in teaching and supporting students during milking and other practical livestock tasks.

In addition to my farm experience, I have cared for my own horse since I was seven years old. This has given me many years of experience in animal care, handling, feeding, health monitoring and maintaining a high standard of animal welfare.