Is there a future in dairying?

[Agrijas]

Am seriously considering a career in the dairy industry and wondered what people's thoughts are?
I haven't really been around cows for 25yrs now as I used to prefer the machinery side of things but as I've got a bit older and (hopefully!) Wiser I can see a good career to be had in dairy and sat on machines just doesn't do it for me anymore.
I know the basics ie units on, mastitis, calving, knowing an animal is not quite right etc.
I'm 42 years old in a good relationship and have a good job.
Am I mad?

 

[coomoo]

No as long as the relationship is solid and you want to be at at the cows tail fire in. Milk widow will be your biggest challenge ?‍?

 

[coomoo]

When you say career what are you thinking/aiming for?

 

[Agrijas]

I'd like to become a herd manager in time, I like responsibility and see the dairy industry could provide that. From what I see on some of the other threads there is not an abundance of people keen on dairying.

 

[lazy farmer]

I'd like to become a herd manager in time, I like responsibility and see the dairy industry could provide that. From what I see on some of the other threads there is not an abundance of people keen on dairying.

I’m not sure about that. There are plenty of people keen on working for the right people in dairying. Find one of them and you’ll be well away especially if there is potential for career progression and maybe even equity growth.

 

[Woolless]

Skilled labour is at a premium for all livestock producers but particularly dairy I would have thought. Brexit not likely to help, either. So I would think there would be a future in it. Some of the herd manager jobs sound pretty damn good.

Do you have dairies near by where you could relief milk and see if you really want to spend the next 25 years being shat on from a great height??

Completely agree with your observation on machine work. Don't mind doing a little tractor work but all day every day would bore me to tears!

 

[Agrijas]

Thank you for the replies, i appreciate your time. I know what I'm looking for and guess it's just a case of waiting for the right opportunity to come along. The perfect scenario would be somebody who has a good herdsman retiring in a couple of years and willing to transfer that knowledge and help with training courses to slot in seemlessy when that time comes, a tall order I know!
I will be speaking to people I know to keep their ears open, as already said I've got a good job so won't be jumping at the first thing offered....these things take time.

 

[Agrijas]

An update-
Apparently the dairy industry is not quite so desperate as you’d imagine!
What has been apparent is the the arable sector is.... really surprising!
Anybody’s thoughts on this?
I guess it’s my age and the experience I have? Really intriguing...

 

[WillM]

I would imagine your age is an issue for some employers yes.

Not sure why that’s the case, maybe they think they can employ a young gun without a family for cheaper and get more work out of him as he doesn’t won’t have a wife to please.

Also some farmers are not great people managers and wouldn’t like the idea of managing people older than them

 

[GeorgeK]

An update-
Apparently the dairy industry is not quite so desperate as you’d imagine!
What has been apparent is the the arable sector is.... really surprising!
Anybody’s thoughts on this?
I guess it’s my age and the experience I have? Really intriguing...

If only we knew the future! There seems to be some high rent paid in dairy areas and I would say there is potential for some big cost savings here post brexit because there will likely be falls in arable and livestock rent. This could aid future dairy profitability but the tea leaves are cloudy