Are you thinking about a career in the dairy industry?
Working as a dairy farmer is a challenging and interesting career. The variety that each day brings, and the diverse range of skills that are required to manage a farm make dairy farming one of the most satisfying and rewarding careers. Being able to work outdoors and work with animals is just one of the many bonuses.
Below you will find a brief description of the career options available in the dairy industry.
Dairy Farmhand
As a dairy farmhand, you will assist the farm management team with a wide range of farming activities. A dairy farmhand role is usually the start to a dairy career.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Assisting with milking
- Helping handle, move and manage livestock
- Checking on water supplies for animals
- Cleaning yards and sheds
- Assisting with calving and calf rearing
- Distributing stockfeed
- Operating farming equipment and machinery
- Implementing pasture and fodder management
- Carry out farm maintenance
Dairy Apprentice
As a dairy apprentice you will develop a number of skills that will one day see you become an independent and capable dairy farmer. During your apprenticeship you will learn the complexities of operating a modern dairy enterprise.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Livestock feeding
- Operating machinery
- Rearing newborn and young animals
- Operating a dairy recycling system
- Coordinating milking operations
- Establishing and monitoring pasture crops
Assistant Dairy Farm Manager
A assistant dairy manager has normally completed a dairy apprenticeship and will be expected to work more independently and give more responsibility and perhaps at time oversee a range of farming activities. A assistant dairy manager may be responsible for a number of workers as well as a range of dairy farming activities.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Developing livestock feeding plans
- Managing milking shed routines
- Supervising breeding programs
- Supervising and training staff
- Supervising the health and welfare of stock
- Managing equipment maintenance and repair
Dairy Farm Production Manager
A dairy farm production manager is responsible for a number of workers, as well as for a range of farm property operations relating to all facets of the dairy production system.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Business planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Staff management and safety
- managing production and quality control systems
- Financial management
- Monitoring milk production and animal health
- Implementing whole farm planning
- Supervising livestock breeding
- Managing equipment maintenance and repair.
Relief Milker
A relief milker is required at times to assist with the milking operation. A relief milker offers great flexibility and form an important part of the dairy farm staff structure.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Managing or assisting with milking
- Identifying herd health issues
- Herding of stock
- Operating farm machinery
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