Dairy Herdsperson

Job Purpose

To be an integral part of our dynamic group of academic, farm and clinical staff at Cochno Farm & Research Centre to provide animal management and general farm work expertise in production animal husbandry. You will provide operational support tasks for the dairy enterprise, and associated activities, that form the basis of commercial farming operations, animal research and routine herd health monitoring.

This role will require milking cows twice daily, split shift 4am to 9am and 2pm to 5 pm, alternate weekend working and overtime as deemed necessary to facilitate the efficient operation of the farm and research centre.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

General:

1. Ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the dairy enterprise of Cochno Farm & Research Centre. This includes, following safety protocols including Risk and COSHH assessments.

2. A good team Player with the ability to work independently.

3. To carry out dairy operational activities at the appropriate points of their production cycle, and dairy research animals as appropriate.

4. Keep up to date with advancements in animal husbandry and statutory guidelines (e.g. related to keeping production animals and their transport, veterinary medicines use and their storage These duties, are not exhaustive and the postholder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by their line manager/Head of Division/PI, which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

For appointment at G5

5. Contributing to Health and Safety policy and maintaining Health and Safety paperwork

6. Recognise individual cow performance and manage accordingly, early recognition and treatment of ‘off colour’ or lame cows.

7. Continue to develop technical and operational knowledge, and suggest improvements at team meetings.

Commercial:

8. Working within agreed goals for the dairy enterprise:

9. To carry out all daily and weekly routine operational animal husbandry task in line with existing protocols, best agricultural practice, and in accordance with Animal Welfare Codes and other relevant legislation as appropriate (e.g. Home Office ASPA legislation).

10. To maintain record keeping for administered products, recording herd births and movements on ScotEID, updating herd management software with herd information.

11. Follow herd health plans, contribution to Update discussions.

12. In discussions with the farm manager, ensure that the dairy herd is managed in accordance with the appropriate Farm Assurance guidelines (e.g. Red Tractor).

13. Effective time management of dairy herdsperson tasks including milking, scraping out, TMR feeding, parlour cleaning.

14. To liaise with the Farm Manager and other farm staff to perform field work duties as required according to the farming cycle

15. To maintain farm and/or livestock equipment, machinery and buildings in good, safe working order, providing essential maintenance.

For appointment at G5

16. Active dairy herd management throughout the production cycle using and updating herd management software. Including assisting in the maintenance of Home Office records for dairy animals as appropriate, to keep these records updated on computer programme

17. Discussing herd health issues and wider issues, recommending solutions to resolve issues.

18. To liaise with the farm manager regarding equipment problems, carry emergency repairs and problem solving in the short term.

19. Maintain a safe environment including vehicles, arrange servicing and repair, and carry out temporary repairs.

20. Notifying the Farm Manager of supply ordering and highlight repairs and safety issues.

21. To participate in discussions with the farm manager, implementing initiatives that improve the operational efficiency of the farm, especially the dairy enterprise, including initiatives aimed at new income generation.

Research:

22. Ensure that animals (especially dairy) are managed (at pasture/housing) according to Defra or Home Office guidelines, as appropriate

23. Under guidance of key staff (e.g. Farm Manager and/or Farm Administrator) facilitate and supervise visiting students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, for EMS and externship/internship placements within the dairy enterprise.

Teaching:

24. Ensure that animals (especially dairy) and other resources (e.g. equipment, buildings) are made available and suitable for pre-clinical and clinical practical classes, OSCEs and DOPS

25. Under guidance of key staff (e.g. Farm Manager ) facilitate and supervise visiting students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, for EMS and externship/internship placements within the dairy enterprise

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

A1 Typically an agriculture qualification or an equivalent technical / professional qualification. (SCQF level 5 or 6, National 5 or 6, SVQ 2 or 3) or equivalent experience within the industry

A2 Detailed knowledge of farming systems, in particular dairy animal husbandry/management systems

Desirable:

B1 Home Office Personal Licence (ASPeL), with good knowledge of the statutory requirements of ASPA, including the levels of record keeping required

B2 Farm Animal Transport certification

For appointment at Grade 5

B3 BSc degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (Grade 5).

Skills

Essential:

C1 Animal husbandry (especially dairy), machinery and field operation skills, all within a farming environment.

C2 Must have held a full, valid UK driving licence for 2 years.

C3 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, orally and written.

C4 Good IT and record keeping skills, especially familiarity with MS Office, farm animal software and on/off movement recording.

C5 Good organisational, time and people management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

C6 Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

For appointment at G5  

C7 Ability to accept collegiate responsibilities and act accordingly.

C8 Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.

C9 Use of herd management software for active herd management.

Desirable:

D1 Tickets for Telehandler, Skid Steer, Tractor and Quad bike

D2 Artificial Insemination Certification

D3 TMR Feeding experience D4 Knowledge of good Grassland Management

Experience

Essential:

E1 Previous relevant work experience in a similar role.

E2 Experience of working within statutory regulations.

For appointment at G5

E3 Previous experience in Dairy herd management promoting optimal cow health.

Desirable:

F1 Experience consistent with this post in a commercial farm situation, research or teaching sector documented through references.

F2 Experience in research activities, including obtaining research samples (eg. milk sampling)

F3 Experienced Home Office personal licensee

For further information or informal enquiries call George King, Senior University Clinician, Farm Animal Clinical Sciences, on 07867 380219

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Grade 4 or 5 depending on skills and experience, £22,681 - £25,138/£25,138 - £29,605 per annum, plus a flexible working supplement of £5,314.41 per annum.  A 3 bedroom semi-detached cottage at Cochno Farm is included with council tax paid by the University of Glasgow.

In addition, there is paid overtime as deemed necessary to facilitate the efficient operation of the farm and research centre.

This post is full time (35 hours per week + 5 hours over time covered by the flexible working supplement + every second weekend) and is offered on an open-ended basis.  Working a split shift, 4am-9am and 2pm to 5pm milking twice daily.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.