Head herdsman position
Due to the restructuring of the management team we are looking to appoint a head herdsman.The Farm.
The farm is organic and extends to 750 acres of grassland and arable which supports a herd of 300, mainly Holstein/FriesianX milkers plus the followers on an autumn block calving system. The farm is located 6 miles South of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
The farm has excellent facilities:
Cow tracks and paddock system with mains electric boundary and track fences.
Cows are winter housed in cubicles with foam mattresses and bedded on sawdust. A floodwash system is used and feed areas are covered.
Milking is through a 16:32 Boumatic herringbone parlour with ACR’s, ADF, auto cow ID, parlour feeding, dump line and is linked to Uniform Agri herd management software.
Other facilities include 2 auto shedding gates, handling race, vet/foot-trimming areas with auto headlocks, automatic cow footbath with cow counting and a collecting yard auto backing gate. The parlour, collecting yard, handling race and feed areas have rubber floor matting.
Winter feeding is by TMR – high quality grass silages, wholecrop, crimped oats and bought in blend – using a new Keenan twin auger tub mixer with ‘in-touch’ system.
There are separate maternity yards and calf rearing areas away from the herd. Calf rearing is carried out in a dedicated unit using pasteurised colostrum and a milk taxi/pasteuriser for milk. Calves progress to calf igloos and verandas before moving to open yards.
The herd averages 8000 litres with bactoscan and SCC currently averaging 16 and 86 respectively.
Head herdsman:
Your role will be to work alongside and be responsible to the farm manager.
You will work with an assistant herdsman, a seasonal calf rearer and relief milkers.
You will have responsibility for the following:
Milking
Grass measuring/ grass management – plate measuring and Agrinet grazing management
Herd health and fertility – liase with vet/foot-trimmer/RMS technician
Calving – maternity sheds/transition diets/Johnes protocols/calving protocols
Overseeing calves/youngstock – liasing with calf-rearer
Record keeping- vet and med records/BCMS/assist farm manager with farm assurance and organic inspections
The farm manager and the owners are passionate about the farm, the animals and taking the farm forwards. We are looking for someone who will share our passion! We think we have high standards and we would expect the head herdsman to meet and hopefully exceed our expectations. The role will demand close attention to detail in all areas to help us take the farm to where we want it to be. The ability to demonstrate a proven track record in grazing management will be a distinct advantage although we will provide training for the right person if required. You will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of high standards and attention to detail in all areas involving cow management.
You will have drive and ambition and probably look at this position as a stepping stone to progression within this farm or elsewhere - we acknowledge this and are happy to invest in your on-going training and development in all areas.
You will be expected to contribute to the development of the farm by being involved in putting together a strategy for constant improvement.
A substantial 3 bedroom house will be provided adjacent to the farmyard.
There are excellent schools and shops within 2 miles of the farm.
If the idea of this position excites you, you can message me directly or apply for an application form from: [email protected] or 01743 296500 (not always manned).
