Dairy Farm Manager
Cambridge
About the Role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the University of Cambridge, Park Farm. The Dairy Farm Manager is responsible for the safe operation of the Livestock Enterprises, as well as staff and students. Current livestock numbers are 200 pedigree Holstein dairy cows milked by 4 Lely robots, housed and calving all year round, yielding over 11,500L, and 150 followers. Also supporting 250 breeding sheep. The position is responsible for all forage operations required to support the livestock enterprises.
The farm is a teaching resource to the Department of Veterinary Medicine and is also a LEAF demonstration farm and must be run as an exemplar facility with very high standards of health and welfare.
A generous package is offered, which includes on-site accommodation.
Responsibilities
Operational management of all livestock, setting performance standards, planning and directing the work of all staff (including contractors), ensuring compliance with Government regulations and quality assurance standards, rearing of all livestock, formulating diets in conjunction with a dairy consultant, ensuring high-quality milk production, managing health & welfare issues, and planning and organising the management of the sheep flock.
* Liaising with the Department of Veterinary Medicine to certify that the teaching needs are met.
* General farm duties, including slurry spreading land within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, record keeping, carrying out practical activities, e.g. robotic milking, including 24 hour call out, calf supervision, feeding, bedding, etc. Ensure that all facilities are kept clean and tidy.
* Compliance with Health & Safety regulations and working with our Health and Safety risk management consultants to ensure full compliance.
* Inputting into the annual budget, monitoring income and expenditure against budget, ordering materials or services in compliance with procurement policy.
* Administration, use NMR, Uniform, Lely and other computerised recording systems for dairy output/animal management as well as compliance recording. Keeping and maintaining accurate records of all cattle and sheep movements on and off the farm.
* Staff Management. including recruitment of staff, allocation and prioritisation of work. Preparing staff rotas and planning annual leave with the team.
* External relations, including communicating with milk buyers and other professional bodies. Promoting good relations between the farm and neighbours/the broader community. Working with industry partners.
* Actively contributing to the farming industry network to share knowledge, best practices, and expertise.
Benefits of working at the University of Cambridge include:
* Competitive pay with automatic annual cost of living increases and service-related progression.
* Generous annual leave entitlement, helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
* Excellent pension scheme with a generous employer contribution through auto-enrolment.
* Relocation support for eligible new starters.
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