Situation Vacant Head Herdsman 340 cows-Derbyshire

Due to retirement we are looking to recruit a Head Herdsperson

Location

The farm is located in the village of Flagg between Bakewell and Buxton in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. This picturesque location has excellent local schools and amenities close by.

The Farm

The farm comprises of approximately 500 acres carrying 340 milking cows plus replacements. Most field work apart from silaging is currently carried out in house.


The farm has excellent facilities, which include:

20:40 Fullwood parlour

• • ACRs+ADF
    
    
  • Milk meters
    
    
  • Feeders
    
    
  • Auto ID
    
    
  • Auto shedding gate
    
    
  • Backing gate
• Autumn block calving
  
  
• Full track network and paddocks
  
  
• Agrinet grass management
  
  
• Excellent cow housing
  
  
• Cubicles fitted with mattresses - bedded with saw-dust
  
  
• Excellent handling facilities
  
  
• New Electric foot trimming crush
  
  
• Rubber matting in parlour and collecting yard

Staffing



As well as the owner there is currently a full time assistant herdsman as well as a full-time tractor driver working on the farm. The owner’s wife is responsible for calves to the point of weaning.


The Herd


The herd currently consists of 340 predominantly Holstein with a few cross bred cows yielding 7,400 litres on average. Cows are now served with more suitable grazing type genetics. The herd is block calved beginning in August and grazed from early March until November.


All replacements are reared in-house with beef calves sold locally.

Current milk quality is as follows:

• 150 Cell count
  
  
• 15 Bactoscan
  
  
• Mastitis 15 per 100

Feet & Fertility


All feet and fertility is addressed in-house with regular foot trimming (using new electric crush) and foot bathing taking place on all the cows. Fertility is good on the farm with a calving index of approximately 385 days. All AI is carried out by existing staff.


Nutrition


Cows are fed a partial TMR diet when housed. The diet consists of the following:

• Grass silage
  
  
• Whole crop wheat
  
  
• Blend

The Role


An experienced and enthusiastic herdsperson is required to work alongside the owner to improve the herd and take the farm forward.


Main tasks are as follows:

• Milking
  
  
• AI
  
  
• Foot trimming
  
  
• Record keeping
  
  
• Calving’s
  
  
• Young stock work
  
  
• Help manage herd health and fertility
  
  
• Grassland management

The Person

You need to be experienced and skilled in all elements of running a large dairy herd and be willing to carry out a number of different tasks around the farm. Someone who is enthusiastic and a good communicator are essential qualities for this role.

A proven track record of stockmanship and team working are essential for this position.