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 husban