To whom it may concern,

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application for the position advertised.

My name is Jenny, I currently work as a self-employed youngstock specialist and relief worker and I have over ten years of experience in the dairy industry. I have worked in a variety of roles and different farming systems, including working in managing couple positions with my partner, who is a highly experienced Dairy Manager. We have experience working in both higher production and grazing based systems in Australia, New Zealand, and moved to the UK in August 2020 to spend time with my family.

We encourage each other to continue developing our knowledge of shared interests within agriculture, including ruminant nutrition, soil and plant chemistry, and genetics, however, my true strengths lie specifically in youngstock management.

I grew up in Somerset and, after completing a HND in Animal Science at Kingston Maurward College in 2005, I moved to New Zealand. Since then, I have been in a variety of employment positions relating to animal health and management including working in a pet shop, as a veterinary nurse, and in different aspects within the equine industry, including for thoroughbred racing teams and stud farms.

While planning our move to the UK Andrew was offered a management position to oversee the establishment of a new dairy operation milking 300 imported Scandinavian red heifers on an organic arable estate, and we worked together to establish efficient standard operating procedures and effective feed and forage management plans. I focused on the development of the youngstock aspect of the business and took on a practical management role for Spring calving for the first three years of the dairy enterprise. I worked closely with the estate owner, vets and nutritionists to implement health and feeding management plans to ensure calves the best start in those important first months that will support them to become vigorous, productive, future herd members.

I have become familiar with the wider Dorset area while relief milking which has given me the opportunity to form relationships with people who are proud to be members of the dairy community and gather knowledge of UK available products and services. I have also been able to offer advice with management decisions to assist farmers with implementing preventative management strategies. Working on multiple farms simultaneously as relief staff has required prudent time management and attention to hygiene and biosecurity risks.

After working on a large calf rearing unit in New Zealand in 2009, I found myself in my first dairy farm position at a local family farm. I later moved to Australia to work in a veterinary clinic, but I was offered a role on a dairy farm in Victoria, where I met Andrew and began a full-time career in dairy.

Veterinary nursing and working with vets in a farming environment has greatly developed my understanding of animal anatomy and the use of veterinary medicines, as well as ruminant nutritional requirements and their relation to animal health and performance. I have been able to use these skills to recognize and assess incidence of disease on farms and, coupled with accurate data analysis, help assist with implementing effective management strategies.

My knowledge of soil chemistry and ruminant nutrition means I am able to offer support and advice in respect to all stages of calf development. I am very conscious of the importance of transition cow management, and I am a strong advocate of strict colostrum management procedures.

My practical farming experience includes working independently as well as a member of a team, working in a variety of systems and climates and with an interesting array of livestock. When not on farm, I enjoy challenging myself with further reading and research, which in combination with my practical experience gives me the ability to understand system requirements and come up with effective management solutions. I have been lucky enough to work with some accomplished people including farm managers and assistants, herd owners and farm owners, nutritionists, land agents and genetics consultants, each with a different area of expertise, but all sharing my passion for the industry and animal health.

While working with the LIC team, and alongside other Cogent employees, I have been able to refine my organisational and communication skills and continue to develop my understanding of the needs of British farmers and the challenges they face. I have also previously worked in hospitality and events management where I enjoyed the social aspects of the job and developed strong communication and people skills.

While providing cover for maternity leave for Blade Farming, I have continued to refine many skills, such as time management and financial budgeting. I very much enjoyed meeting contract calf rearers and forming relationships with them, and I gained valuable insight into the beef production industry, as well as becoming more familiar with automatic milk feeding systems.

I enjoy attending local farming and veterinary discussion groups, and in New Zealand I regularly attended Dairy Womens Network meetings to connect with local women in agriculture and hear their stories and how they feel about current issues in farming. I also like to keep up to date with global dairy news, technological advances, and developments in livestock genetics.

I currently reside near Warminster, Wiltshire, and I enjoy spending my spare time with my dogs, my camera, in the garden, buried in a book, or completing word and number puzzles.

The advertised position caught my attention as I have been looking for an opportunity to return to a more practical, hands on position where I can exercise my skillset and contribute to the success of a dairy enterprise with people who areas passionate about the dairy industry as I am.

My varied work experience has allowed me to develop a diverse set of talents, and I believe I can apply these skills to this position with great success.

Please feel free to call me with any questions or queries you might have. I very much look forward to speaking with you further.

Regards

Jenny Bailey