Robotic Dairy Farm Assistant

FRS Farm Relief Services; Portlaoise; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern robotic dairy environment

Career development in robotic farming

Supportive working environment

Job summary

FRS Farm Relief Services is seeking a Dairy Farm Assistant for a modern dairy with a Lely robotic milking system in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The role focuses on calf rearing, general farm work, and operating farm machinery, with emphasis on welfare and efficient herd management.

The ideal candidate has calf-rearing experience, a good work ethic, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. A full clean license is preferred, and a proactive attitude is valued in our progressive dairy

Qualifications

• Experience in calf rearing is essential.
• Previous dairy farm experience preferred.
• Competent machinery operator (tractor work) is required.
• Experience with slurry spreading is advantageous.
• Interest in robotic milking systems (Lely) is a plus.
• Good stockmanship and animal welfare.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong work ethic and time management skills
• Full clean driver’s licence preferred

Responsibilities

• Daily care and feeding of calves (milk/milk replacer, water)
• Monitor calf health and early illness signs
• Administer vaccinations and treatments as required
• Maintain clean, dry calf housing and record growth
• Record keeping and growth monitoring
• Maintain high welfare and hygiene standards
• Assist with management of Lely robotic milking system
• Fetch cows and monitor cow traffic
• Observe herd health and report issues promptly
• Support breeding and herd management tasks
• Operate tractors and machinery safely and competently
• Feed stock using diet feeders or machinery
• Bed down, scrape yards and maintain yards
• Slurry handling and spreading (experience essential)
• Grassland management including fencing and paddock setup
• General farm repairs and maintenance

Skills

Calf rearing experience

Machinery operation

Teamwork

Animal welfare awareness

Time management

Tools

Lely robotic system experience

Tractor operation

Job description

Job Title: Dairy Farm Assistant – Lely Robotic Dairy Farm
Location: Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Job Type: Full-Time | Part-time

About the Farm

Our client is a modern, progressive dairy farm located in the Portlaoise area, operating a Lely robotic milking system. The main focus is on herd performance, calf health, grassland management, and maintaining high standards of animal welfare through technology-driven farming.

We are looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Dairy Farm Assistant to join our team, with a strong focus on calf rearing, general farm work, and machinery operation.

Key Responsibilities

Calf Rearing (Primary Focus)

• Daily care and feeding of calves (milk/milk replacer, concentrates, water)
• Monitoring calf health and identifying illness early
• Administering vaccinations and treatments as required
• Maintaining clean, dry, and well-bedded calf housing
• Record keeping and growth monitoring
• Ensuring high welfare and hygiene standards at all times

Robotic Dairy Support

• Assisting with management of Lely robotic milking system
• Fetching cows and monitoring cow traffic when required
• Observing herd health and reporting issues promptly
• Supporting breeding and herd management tasks

Machinery & General Farm Work

• Operating tractors and machinery safely and competently
• Feeding stock using diet feeders or machinery
• Bedding, scraping, and yard maintenance
• Slurry handling and spreading (experience essential)
• Grassland management tasks (fencing, paddock setup, topping)
• General farm repairs and maintenance

Candidate Requirements

• Experience in calf rearing essential
• Previous dairy farm experience preferred
• Competent machinery operator (tractor work required)
• Experience with slurry spreading
• Interest in or experience with robotic milking systems (Lely experience an advantage)
• Good stockmanship and attention to animal welfare
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong work ethic and good time management
• Full clean driver’s licence preferred

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Modern robotic dairy environment
• Opportunity to develop skills in precision and robotic farming
• Supportive and progressive working environment

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking someone practical, dependable, and proactive, with a genuine interest in calf performance and modern dairy systems. The right person will take pride in their work, maintain high standards, and contribute positively to a forward-thinking farm operation.