Dairy Advisor

Lactalis South Africa; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading dairy company in South Africa as a Dairy Advisor. You will manage farm supply relations, provide technical advice to farmers, and ensure compliance with supply policies. Your expertise in dairy farming and economics will be vital in securing sustainable milk sources while collaborating with various stakeholders. This role requires excellent communication skills and a solid understanding of dairy management practices.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in dairy farming or advisory roles.
• Experience in animal health, nutrition, and farm economics.

Responsibilities

• Manage regional milk supply and provide technical advice to farmers.
• Oversee dairy nutrition, feeding management, and environmental compliance.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities in milk supply.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

3-year tertiary qualification in Agriculture

Job description

Role Purpose

Join our Lactalis SA Team. Manage farm supply through close relations with farmers and Lactalis, ensuring adherence to supply policies and budgets, while providing technical advice to secure a sustainable source of milk.

Requirements

• An appropriate 3-year tertiary qualification in Agriculture
• 5-8 years of experience in dairy farming or dairy advisory roles
• Experience in three or more of the following areas:
• animal health and welfare,
• milking hygiene,
• animal nutrition,
• feed and fodder production,
• farm economics & environment (including energy and waste), and socio-economic management

Excellent communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

• Understanding of other business processes & concepts such as laboratory, finance, etc.
• Pasture management & fodder flow knowledge
• Grass roots experience in dairy farming & management

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage Lactalis’s regional milk supply, including:
• Providing technical advice to farmers to secure a sustainable milk source (DA’s are not required to solve problems but to identify solutions with experts and follow-up)
• Overseeing dairy nutrition, feeding management, fodder flow, pasture management, economic feasibility, herd health, and environmental management
• Collaborating to forecast monthly milk supply in terms of milk solids to meet factory requirements
• Pre-empting and managing deviations from supply parameters
• Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations
• Liaising with suppliers and stakeholders through regional communication
• Reporting on farm prices versus competitors to develop strategic advantages
• Identifying cost reduction opportunities in milk supply
• Handling ad hoc advice requests from producers on dairy husbandry issues
• Communicating about safety, health, and environmental aspects
• Advising on waste reduction, energy optimization, water conservation, and CSR audits
• Conducting GAP audits to ensure compliance with parlour, procedures, and animal welfare standards