Farm and Estate Technician (Sheep)

Countryside Jobs Service; Norwich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Countryside Jobs Service invites an ambitious, conscientious candidate to lead the Colleges Farm and Estate sheep enterprise. You will develop and manage the 150-ewe flock on the 162ha (400acre) Estate and share knowledge with students across the farming year, using modern practices and equipment.

The role covers day-to-day care, grazing and forage planning, lambing, flock health, record keeping and general estate upkeep, while upholding high standards of animal welfare, safety and presentation;

Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the college flock
• Grazing and forage planning, lambing and flock health
• Record keeping and compliance with welfare and safety standards
• Support to students and showcase livestock husbandry to learners

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious, motivated and conscientious applicant to join the Colleges Farm and Estate team and become the lead for the development and management of the 150-ewe sheep enterprise. This is a great opportunity for an individual to join a progressive team using modern practices, techniques and equipment across the 162ha (400acre) Estate and demonstrate their knowledge skills and techniques to students across the farming year. This is a hands-on role supporting the day-to-day care and management of our flock include grazing and forage planning, lambing, flock health, record keeping and general estate upkeep, all while maintaining high standards of animal welfare, safety and farm presentation.

The sheep enterprise runs alongside a 180 head beef rearing unit, small suckler beef herd, crop production as well as onsite equine, small animal centres and a large outdoor pig farrowing unit. All managed using a regenerative, conservation focused system. The successful individual will have the opportunity to significantly shape their own role and enterprise but also help influence the other area they will be working alongside, all with the support of the Head of Easton Estate.

So, if you take pride in achieving high standards, want the opportunity to run and shape our sheep enterprise while passing on your skills, knowledge and experience to the future members of the land-based sector, then this could be the role for you.

About the Role:

• Working closely with the Head of Estate, you will have full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the college flock, helping to ensure smooth, efficient and well organised livestock operations as well as freedom to shape the enterprise to contribute to the wider estate priorities.
• Undertaking daily checks and feeding routines, bedding, managing breeding cycles and lambing, administering basic treatments or vaccinations and the use of mobile handling systems.
• You will provide practical learning opportunities for students, including the demonstration of livestock husbandry and machinery skills to small groups.
• Safely operating and maintaining tractors and telehandlers for feeding, bedding, and general field operations including forage production
• Gather and record data on performance and update electronic records to ensure compliance with assurance schemes and Government legislation. (Agriwebb)
• Work with other Estate technicians in the operation of the Colleges 160ha estate including Carrying out a wide range of seasonal farm and estate tasks to provide both demonstration to students and as part of the routine Estate management.