Jdunn55
Member
- Location
- Helston, cornwall
I'm in the process of redoing budgets and cashflows taking into account the price rises. Ive been warned by my dad that after this year he doesn't want to be doing farm work on a day to day basis (deteriorating health from years of abuse when he milked). The suckler cows will be going in the autumn and the ewes being dropped over the summer/autumn with the exception of a few pets (maybe 20-30 ewes).
I've coped up until now because I've had dad to help me when I need a second pair of hands (eg: dehorning).
The plan at the moment is to use dads farm to rear youngstock and grow silage + corn for the milkers which will obviously be kept here.
I'm going to need a second pair of hands in order to cope next year, so a few questions:
What do I advertise for? I see so many job titles now and wonder what is really involved with each one (general farm worker, assistant herdsman, etc). I would like someone who would milk maybe 3-5 times a week and be happy to do general yard work (scraping up, feeding heifers etc) but also jump in a tractor when needed.
How many hours per week is normal? And what hours/days? Was thinking 4 days a week plus a weekend milking? 8 hour days (plus an hour for lunch) and 4 hours(?) On the weekend?
Salary vs hourly? What's a fair amount to offer either per hour or on a salary? I would have to talk to dad but there is a possibility of a 2 bedroom cottage to come with the job (this would be at dads farm not mine) but I would obviously have to pay the rent on it.
Then finally how do I make it attractive to people and so when I do find someone they enjoy coming here and don't want to go elsewhere? I'm not completely awful but I'm sure there will be areas I could make life easier/better for them to make it more enjoyable
Thanks
I've coped up until now because I've had dad to help me when I need a second pair of hands (eg: dehorning).
The plan at the moment is to use dads farm to rear youngstock and grow silage + corn for the milkers which will obviously be kept here.
I'm going to need a second pair of hands in order to cope next year, so a few questions:
What do I advertise for? I see so many job titles now and wonder what is really involved with each one (general farm worker, assistant herdsman, etc). I would like someone who would milk maybe 3-5 times a week and be happy to do general yard work (scraping up, feeding heifers etc) but also jump in a tractor when needed.
How many hours per week is normal? And what hours/days? Was thinking 4 days a week plus a weekend milking? 8 hour days (plus an hour for lunch) and 4 hours(?) On the weekend?
Salary vs hourly? What's a fair amount to offer either per hour or on a salary? I would have to talk to dad but there is a possibility of a 2 bedroom cottage to come with the job (this would be at dads farm not mine) but I would obviously have to pay the rent on it.
Then finally how do I make it attractive to people and so when I do find someone they enjoy coming here and don't want to go elsewhere? I'm not completely awful but I'm sure there will be areas I could make life easier/better for them to make it more enjoyable
Thanks