Youngstock Manager
Vacancy Reference: 58206 AB
*This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.*
Are you an experienced Dairy Professional?
Do you have experience working with youngstock?
Have you got a passion for maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare?
The Job Role:
We are seeking a dedicated youngstock enthusiast to join an organic dairy team in Cheshire. The primary responsibility of this role is to manage the health welfare of a jersey dairy, and longhorn beef calves. The ideal candidate will be passionate about dairy farming, have a strong work ethic, and be result orientated in maintaining high standards of animal welfare. Positive, can-do attitude to fit in with the team dynamic would be a must for this role.
Location: Cheshire
Working Hours: 45 hours per week (Annualised contract peaks and troughs)
Salary Package: Paying Up To £36,000 Basic Salary Depending on Skills and Experience + Accommodation to be Discussed
Key Responsibilities:
Take ownership for performance of calves from our Autumn and Spring Blocks. From point of calving, all the way through to being in calf.
Harvesting colostrum with use of store and thaw machine
Making sure 5'Qs of colostrum are met and recorded
Tagging calves, input of data into handbooks then onto Uniform-Agri
Mob Grassland management experience would be of benefit
Block calving experience would be of benefit
Present and work alongside farm manager during busy calving period
AI along with walking cows to drive submission through heifer serving windows
Monitor calf signals:
Record calf weights throughout period, and make call on sale or service dates
Meet performance targets set by the team, vets and calf specialists
Build a strong relationship with estate teams, vets, nutritionists
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
Be open to jump on milking team and help at points during the week and into weekends, help daily milking of cows using modern milking equipment, ensuring efficient and hygienic collection of milk.
Youngstock and Herd Health Management:
Observe and monitor the health of the calves, identifying signs of illness or distress.
Assist with veterinary treatments, vaccinations, and health checks as required.
Maintain accurate records of herd health, treatments, and weights and add onto teams whatsapp groups
Fertility - Youngstock:
Walk heifers 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%
Feeding and Nutrition:
Monitor feed and water intake and make report and decisions on this
Grass walking (Not crucial, and can train on grass feeding for YS)
Calving Assistance:
Assist with calving block, ensuring the health and safety of both cows and calves and ensure cows are brought in parlour at end of milking for teams to harvest colostrum
General Farm Duties:
Keep the farms and the working areas immaculate.
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
Make sure all youngstock are looked after and delegate team members to oversee
Clean and tidy farm
Clean water troughs weekly
Present solutions for improvements
Candidate Requirements:
Experience in dairy