Job description

Role: Dairy Herdsperson

Reports to: Dairy Manager

Job Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Dairy Herdsperson to join our team. The primary responsibility of this role is to manage the health and productivity of our dairy herd, with a particular focus on the milking process. The ideal candidate will be passionate about dairy farming, have a strong work ethic, and be committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities:

- Perform daily milking of cows using modern milking equipment, ensuring efficient and hygienic collection of milk.

- Monitor milk production levels and report any abnormalities or concerns to the Dairy Farm Manager.

- Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of milking equipment to ensure it operates correctly and safely.

Herd Health Management:

- Observe and monitor the health of the herd, identifying signs of illness or distress.

- Assist with veterinary treatments, vaccinations, and health checks as required.

- Maintain accurate records of herd health, treatments, and milk production.

Feeding and Nutrition:

- Assist in managing the feeding schedule to ensure cows receive balanced and adequate nutrition.

- Monitor feed and water intake, adjusting diets as necessary under the guidance of the Dairy Herd Manager.

Calving Assistance:

- Assist with calving, ensuring the health and safety of both cows and calves.

General Farm Duties:

- Maintain clean and organized barn and milking areas.

- Assist with pasture management, including moving cattle, maintaining fencing, and managing grazing areas.

- Perform other general farm duties as needed, such as operating machinery and assisting with maintenance tasks.

Qualifications:

- Experience in dairy farming, with a strong focus on milking operations.

- Knowledge of dairy cattle health, nutrition, and breeding practices.

Role: Dairy Herdsperson

Reports to: Dairy Manager

Job Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Dairy Herdsperson to join our team. The primary responsibility of this role is to manage the health and productivity of our dairy herd, with a particular focus on the milking process. The ideal candidate will be passionate about dairy farming, have a strong work ethic, and be committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

Positive, can-do attitude to fit in with team dynamic would be a must for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

- All aspects cow related. Take ownership for herd performance to a high standard

- Perform daily milking of cows using modern milking equipment, ensuring efficient and hygienic collection of milk.

- Grassland management experience would be of benefit

- Block calving would be of benefit

- Monitor cow signals. Lameness, Bulling cows, ill cows, poor condition cows

- Record keeping in diaries and on uniform to a high standard

- Record keeping, plate meter walking and use of Agrinet software a benefit

- Meet performance targets for the dairy unit for cow health and Arla contract benchmarks

- Identify lists for foot trimmer, vet, and group changes. Check against date and existing lists and follow to farms protocol

- Active communication on WhatsApp groups, emails and utilising our on farm PO System.

- Attention to detail. Being on it, using communication skills to improve other staff

Herd Health Management:

- Observe and monitor the health of the herd, identifying signs of illness or distress.

- Check cows if ill. Temp, CMT and assess and action for treatment as expected

- Assist with veterinary treatments, vaccinations, and health checks as required.

- Maintain accurate records of herd health, treatments, and milk production onto teams whatsapp groups and into Diary so Dairy Management can input into computer and draw up cow lists for protocols

- Herdsperson targets Less than 30 Bactoscan

- Less than 150 SCC target

- <5% cows

Fertility

-Walk cows twice a day in the winter (Housing), once a day in the summer (Fields)

- Identify cows to serve on WhatsApp group (Data collected and compared internally for performance)

- Submissions to be over 80% for the herd. Ideally 90%

- Herdsperson Targets- Empty rate should be 5-10% for whole herd

-Culling rate circa of 15-18% for whole herd

Feeding and Nutrition:

- Assist in managing the feeding schedule to ensure cows receive balanced and adequate nutrition.

- Monitor feed and water intake, adjusting diets as necessary under the guidance of the Dairy Herd Manager primarily and then onto farms feeds person / tractor driver

Calving Assistance:

- |Lead and assist with calving block, ensuring the health and safety of both cows and calves.

- Monitor and care for newborn calves, ensuring they receive proper nutrition and care.

- Target of <5% Retained

- Target of <5% Milk Fever

- Target of <5% Calf Mortality

- Target < 5% Cow deaths

General Farm Duties:

- Maintain clean and organized barn and milking areas.

- Assist with pasture management, including moving cattle, maintaining fencing, and managing grazing areas.

- Perform other general farm duties as needed, such as operating machinery and assisting with maintenance tasks

- Lead and be present during Vet visits, external cow contractor visits

- Make sure all youngstock are looked after and delegate team members to oversee

- Scrape Beds

- Scrape channels / passages

- Clean and tidy farm

- Clean water troughs weekly

- Present solutions for improvements

Qualifications:

- Experience in dairy farming, with a strong focus on milking operations.

- Knowledge of dairy cattle health, nutrition, and breeding practices.

- Ability to operate and maintain milking machinery and other farm equipment.

- Strong observational skills to monitor the health and behaviour of the herd.

- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with excellent time management skills.

- Physical stamina to handle the demands of farm work, including lifting, standing for long periods, and working in various weather conditions.

- Valid drivers license; additional certifications (e.g., AI certification, veterinary skills) are a plus.

Working Conditions:

- Early morning, late evening, and weekend work is required.

- Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, often in varying weather conditions.

- The role requires physical labour, including lifting, bending, and long periods of standing or walking.

Salary: TBC

Hours : 55-60 hours per week (Annualised contract peaks and troughs)

Benefits: On Farm Accommodation suitable for the correct applicant