Herd Manager

LKL Services Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-farm housing

Competitive salary

Job summary

LKL Services Ltd seeks a hands-on dairy farm manager for our green-field site in south Leicestershire. You will work with the farm manager and staff to maximise milking efficiency, herd welfare and productivity.

Responsibilities include supervising milking, managing the herd, implementing vaccination protocols, and maintaining records in Uniform and Crystal. An AI qualification plus a valid UK driving licence are essential; on-site housing is available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in dairy herd management and milking operations.
• Experience implementing vaccination policies and animal health protocols.
• Strong record-keeping skills for herd performance and welfare.

Responsibilities

• Milking cows regularly and supervising the dairy team.
• Oversee the dairy unit and calf/beef units in conjunction with the farm manager.
• Ensure animal welfare is prioritised and protocols are followed.
• Manage vaccination policy and disease prevention strategies.
• Report herd data to senior staff and external consultants/vets.
• Oversee foot health and routine trimming planning.

Skills

Team leadership

Herd management

Animal welfare

Data reporting

Dairy farming experience

Education

AI qualification

Foot trimming qualification

Full UK Driving Licence

Right to work in UK

Tools

Uniform/Crystal reporting

Job description

We are looking for someone to join our progressive team at our green field site dairy farm in south Leicestershire!

The business centres around our Spring / Autumn block calved 400-cow Holstein Friesian dairy herd plus followers.

Cows are milked 2 x per day through a 25:50 parlour, on a premium milk contract. The recently installed parlour has ADF, auto ID, parlour feeders and auto shedding. The cows are grazed for as long as is practical and the weather permits. We have a clear focus on achieving the highest standards of animal health, milk from forage, animal welfare and performance. Cows are fed a full TMR when housed. The farm and facilities are well maintained with modern farm buildings, equipment and machinery. We continue to invest in the dairy.

The Role:

You will be working alongside the farm manager, two herds people and reliefs to achieve the best results for the staff, the dairy and the farm.

Other roles and responsibilities will include:

• Regular milking.
• Responsibility for the management of the team and dairy unit, alongside the farm manager.
• To supervise the day-to-day management of the herd, ensuring animal welfare is the top priority.
• Oversee the beef growing / finishing unit.
• Implementing the vaccination policy.
• Implementing agreed protocols and ensuring protocols are followed.
• Dairy herd record keeping and data reporting through Uniform and Crystal.
• Managing foot health, including generating lists for routine foot trimming visits.
• Engage with the farm manager and external consultants/vets to achieve agreed KPIs, financial budgets, and herd targets.
• Taking full responsibility for dry cow management, calving cows and colostrum protocols
• Assist in general stock and dairy duties as required (scraping, bedding and feeding).
• Keeping the farm tidy & safe to operate.

You will be someone who enjoys milking cows and looks to get the best out of them and understands modern dairy cows and systems.

Engage in local discussion groups.

Plate metering at grazing time.

What we require:

• A full UK Driving licence.
• Proof of right to work in UK.
• Foot trimming qualification preferred.
• AI qualification essential for this role.
• An appetite for success.

*No overseas applicants without a work visa*

Benefits:

• A very competitive salary.
• We have an excellent on farm 3-bed house available with double glazing, central heating, good garden set in a lovely part of the countryside; close to shops, schools and local amenities.