Applicants must be physically fit & willing to learn.
Applicants must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and have no criminal record.
Applicants are not required to have prior experience, as this is an entry level role and the employer is willing to provide necessary training.
PURPOSE:
The Sheep Dairy Shepherd role assists the farm manager and team in all aspects of running a Sheep Dairy farm. In particular there is responsibility for helping ensure a smooth running of the milking parlour and milking process. In this role there will be work across all areas of the farm including, lambing, feeding, machinery upkeep and operation, general stock work, and overall farm maintenance duties.
Responsibilites are (but not limited to): Animal management
Implement animal health programme to maintain good herd health
Assist with lambing and the lamb rearing programme to achieve minimal losses and ensure high quality replacements are available for the herd
Ensure all herd records are maintained
Quality systems
Play an active part in ensuring the farm consistently meets quality standards
Assist in the Farm Log Book records
Feed Production
Assist with any feed planning or the management of feed as required
Assist with weed and pest control to maintain pasture and crops
Assist with feeding of diets and pasture to ewes
Assist in maintaining feed inventory and feed quality
Milking
Ensure the effective operation of all aspects of the milking process, including plant hygiene and somatic cell count, to maintain grade free standards
Assist the farm in maintaining all RMP recording and audit activities
Effluent
Operate the effluent system on the farm to meet or exceed regional council compliance
Maintain all appropriate effluent management records
Know what to do when things go wrong with the effluent system
Business
Maintain good relationships with key rural professionals, e.g. vet, stock agents and contractors to ensure smooth operation of the farm
Assist in repair and maintenance schedules for all plant, machinery and infrastructure
Ensure all relevant company policies are understood and adhered to
People
Play an active role in day-to-day farm activities and scheduled tasks to be undertaken
Provide coaching, as required, to more junior and/ or newer staff to enable them to competently carry out day to day tasks required of them on farm
Initiative and Communication
Identify and communicate to manager any issues requiring management or relevant to the successful running of the farm.
Elevate concerns to the next level if unresolved or still concerned
Ensure expected standards are understood and met, actively seek clarification where unsure.