Dairy Farm Assistant

CUNNINGHAM FARM LIMITED; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Cunningham Farm Limited is recruiting a full-time Dairy Farm Assistant to join its commercial dairy operation. The successful candidate will work as part of a small team with daily responsibility for milking, calf rearing and general herd care.

Main duties include milking cows twice daily, maintaining the milking parlour, feeding calves, assisting with calving, and monitoring herd health. This is a permanent, full-time position in a rural setting in Kilkenny.

Qualifications

• Experience on a dairy farm is required.
• Ability to recognise signs of illness, lameness and heat in cows is essential.

Responsibilities

• Milking cows twice daily and maintaining hygiene.
• Calf rearing and feeding; assist with calving and herd monitoring.
• Observe herd health and report issues promptly; keep basic records.

Skills

Dairy farming

Milking cows

Livestock handling

Calf rearing

Tractor operation

Job description

Application Details

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit. Please review the Eligibility and requirements for an employment permit if you are unsure of your eligibility to apply for this vacancy.

Job Description

Cunningham Farm Limited is recruiting a full-time Dairy Farm Assistant to join its commercial dairy operation. The successful candidate will work as part of a small team with daily responsibility for milking, calf rearing and general herd care. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Main duties:
Milking cows twice daily, following correct hygiene and mastitis control procedures
Cleaning and maintaining the milking parlour, bulk tank area and equipment
Feeding and rearing calves, including colostrum management and feeding milk replacer
Assisting with calving and monitoring cows and heifers during the calving season
Observing herd health, identifying lame or sick animals and reporting issues promptly
Administering routine treatments and vaccinations under supervision
Grassland management, including moving paddocks, fencing and maintaining water troughs
Feeding silage and meal to stock during the housing period
Cleaning cubicles, sheds and yards, including scraping and bedding
Operating farm machinery such as tractors, loaders and quads safely
Keeping basic records of treatments, calvings and breeding
Following farm health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity procedures

Salary: €36,605 per annum (€18.05 per hour)
Hours: 39 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Annual leave and public holidays in line with Irish employment law.

Requirements:
Minimum 2 years' experience working on a dairy farm
Proven experience milking cows and handling livestock
Knowledge of calf rearing and calving
Ability to recognise signs of illness, lameness and heat in cows
Good physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions
Flexibility to work early mornings, weekends and a rota as required, particularly during the calving season
Basic spoken and written English
Reliable, hardworking and able to work as part of a team
Tractor driving experience is an advantage

• Sector: agriculture, forestry and fishing

Career Level

• Experienced [Non-Managerial]