Herdsperson

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We are seeking an ambitious and enthusiastic person to work as part of the team but primarily to take the lead in the daily management of the dairy herd.

The farm operates as part of Newcastle University to support world class teaching and research. The farm consists of two sites, Cockle Park and Nafferton covering over 780 hectares of arable, grassland, woodland and a recently planted area of agroforestry. Cropping is based on cereals, oilseeds, protein crops and forage crops. Cover crops as well as livestock are integrated into the arable rotation. The livestock enterprises include a dairy herd, beef animals and a pig unit. The dairy has 250 cows in a spring/autumn split block calving system. The herd is managed at grass with a focus on milk from forage. Youngstock are reared at Nafferton before being transferred to Cockle Park. Dairy replacements are bred from the Spring calving herd and reared on site until weaned and put to grass for the summer. Beef cross calves are transferred to the beef unit which is largely retained for grazing trials. The farm is moving towards a regenerative approach and the enterprises are integrated across the farming system.

You will be responsible for milking breeding, mastitis control, foot trimming and herd health. You will be responsible for the implementation of high standards of herd management to ensure that targets are achieved.

The person should be able to demonstrate experience in a similar role and training will be offered for those individuals who have some experience but are perhaps looking to progress to the next level.

The person will be the de facto deputy for the management of the dairy enterprise.

Duties will include

• Daily herd management including milking, AI, mastitis control, foot trimming and herd health
• Maintenance and upkeep and completion of relevant farm records including dairy management records, vet & med records
• Management of the cattle at grass including implementation of the grazing plans and recording for management purposes
• Assisting with general stock as required
• Deputising for the Dairy Manager and Farms Director as required
• Assistance as appropriate with research projects Assisting students, staff and visitors to understand and make use of calf/dairy and farm facilities as required
• Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations and all animal health and welfare regulations, farm assurance standards and other regulations 

The package

• Permanent post with paid holidays (25 days) plus bank holidays and additional University closure days
• Excellent pension scheme
• Ongoing training and support
• Salary – Base starting pay is £22,681 – £23,700 depending on experience but salary with expected overtime will be around £32,000 – £35,000 per annum.   The post will work a minimum of 39 hours per week with regular overtime paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate for any time over that and 2 times the regular rate for bank holidays and University closure days
• Accommodation – available if required

For further information or for a general discussion about the role please contact James Standen on 07833 045285 or james.standen@newcastle.ac.uk  

For more information about the Newcastle Farms click here 

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