About the role
Herd Manager Or Assistant Herd Manager— Cork, Ireland
Opportunity to build profit share / equity
210-cow seasonal grazing dairy | Accommodation available | Salary DOE
Ideal for a couple or Single Applicant
The role
We are looking for an experienced, practical Herd Manager to take day-to-day responsibility for a 210-cow seasonal, grass-based dairy unit in Cork.
You will be trusted to make decisions around grazing, cow health, breeding and daily workloads, with support from an experienced wider management team when needed.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being responsible for cows, grass and standards — and wants the opportunity to progress further.
Opportunity to build profit share / equity
This is not just a Herd Manager job. For the right person, there is a genuine long-term opportunity to build towards profit share, cow leasing or equity within a progressive multi-farm dairy business.
After a successful first year, you will gain real insight into the financial performance of the business. After two years, opportunities such as rearing heifer calves, cow leasing and potentially partnership can be explored, based on performance and the needs of the business.
Responsibilities
- Daily milking and maintaining high milk-quality standards.
- Herd health, treatments, dosing, vaccinations and welfare.
- Spring calving and calf rearing.
- Carrying out the breeding plan, including body condition scoring, heat detection and drafting for AI.
- Weekly grass walks, grass allocation and grazing decisions.
- Managing surpluses, deficits and pasture quality.
- Organising daily work and supporting the Farm Assistant.
- Keeping the farm tidy and assisting with general repairs and maintenance.
- Completing weekly farm reports.
- Some involvement with youngstock on nearby grazing ground.
The farm
- 210-cow seasonal grazing system.
20-unit parlour with ACRs, cluster flush and auto wash.
- Strong recent investment in roadways, fencing, water and reseeding.
- Further housing and storage development planned.
- Supported by a long-standing, capable Farm Assistant.
Hours and rota
The role operates on an 11 days on / 3 days off basis overall, with a tighter rota during the main spring-calving period.
Spring is the busiest period, with around 90% of the herd calving within six weeks. Workload is typically around 60 hours per week at peak. Autumn and winter are considerably quieter, generally around 40–48 hours per week.
Annual leave and bank-holiday entitlement are provided, with flexibility around leave outside the main calving period.
Package
- Salary depending on experience.
- Accommodation available in nearby town accommodation; contribution of €550 per month.
- 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Training, open days, courses and discussion-group opportunities supported.
- Genuine long-term route towards profit share, cow leasing, equity or partnership for the right person.
Qualifications & experience
- Grazing management.
- Calving, calf rearing and herd health.
- Breeding and preparation.
- Must hold a recognised qualification or certification in cattle artificial insemination (AI).
- Must hold a recognised qualification or certification in cattle foot trimming.
- Milking and milk-quality standards.
- Working independently while communicating well with a wider team.
- Keeping high standards around cows, grass, records and the farm environment.
Candidate requirements
All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.
Let’s grow your career.
Tell us a little about yourself and attach your CV. Our team will review your application and be in touch.
Applying for Herd Manager Or Assistant Herd Manager— Cork, Ireland
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