Herd Manager – Ayrshire
Shift pattern – 11 in 14
£45,000 - £55,000 per year, DOE
5-bedroom large family home on the farm
Access to an established discussion group network
Progression and flexibility
Essential Criteria:
* Have extensive previous experience in agriculture and dairy cow management
* Demonstrate strong people management skills and positive values and behaviours
Our Farm & Business
We are a successful dairy business, currently merging our two dairy units. This role will work with 350 Holstein cows, who are milked twice a day through a 50-point rotary parlour. The milk is supplied on an M&S contract, and calving is completed AYR. All our data and records are kept using Uniform. The herd is part grazing, with excellent cow facilities, including mattresses, well-developed infrastructure tracks, and modern equipment.
The herd size will increase once the dairy units are merged and we are looking to upgrade the milking parlour.
Your Role
As a Herd Manager, you will lead the dairy with the support of the Farm Manager. This is a cow-focussed position with key roles and responsibilities including:
* Overall management and responsibility of the herd and ensuring animal welfare is the top priority.
* Leading and managing the team effectively.
* Milking to a high standard as part of a team and ensuring the parlour is kept clean and safe to operate.
* Taking full control of dry cow management, calving cows, and colostrum protocols.
* Working closely with the farm manager to achieve agreed KPI’s, financial budgets and breeding targets.
* Liaising with Vets, nutritionists and consultants for the farm.
* Grass Management and measuring.
* AI & Foot trimming
* Keeping basic records and compliance up to date.
* Ensuring the overall farm is kept tidy and safe to operate.
* Farm machinery and general farm maintenance
There is progression and development to the Farm Manager position in the future for the right person.
Requirements
* AI & Foot trimming qualifications
* Be a confident and organised individual with a high attention to detail
* Demonstrate excellent communication skills, being able to motivate a team
* Have the capabilities to be decisive and adapt quickly to different situations
* Share our passion and care for cows and our staff
* Full UK Driving License
* Proof of UK Right to Work
Benefits
* Our current shift pattern is 11 in 14
* £45,000 - £55,000 per year, depending on experience
* 5-bedroom large family home on the farm, with rent paid.
* Access to an established discussion group network through M&S
* Progression and flexibility