Dairy Herd Manager

Purpose of the role

We are looking for 2 Dairy Herd Managers, responsible for the day-to-day management of the dairy herds to maximise milk production while maintaining high standards of animal welfare, milk quality, environmental compliance, and farm efficiency. The role requires working with minimal supervision and assisting with the supervision and training of other farm staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily milking operations and ensure high milk quality standards are maintained.
• Monitor herd health, identify sick or injured animals, administer approved animal health treatments, and liaise with veterinarians when required.
• Manage calving, mating, heat detection, artificial insemination programmes, pregnancy testing, and herd reproductive performance.
• Allocate pasture and supplementary feed to achieve production targets and maintain herd condition.
• Monitor body condition score, milk production, feed intake, and animal performance.
• Maintain accurate herd records including NAIT, MINDA, treatments, calving, mating, milk production, and stock movements.
• Operate and maintain dairy plant, effluent systems, farm machinery, tractors, motorbikes, and other equipment safely.
• Assist with pasture management, break fencing, stock movements, and grazing rotations.
• Monitor water systems, fences, races, and general farm infrastructure and carry out routine maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with farm health and safety procedures, environmental requirements, milk quality standards, and animal welfare legislation.
• Supervise, train, and support junior farm staff as required.
• Assist the Farm Manager with planning and implementing seasonal farm operations.

Skills and Experience

• At least 2 years relevant dairy farming experience.
• Sound knowledge of pasture-based dairy farming systems.
• Experience in animal health, reproduction, feeding, and milk quality.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Competent operating tractors, farm machinery, and dairy equipment.