Herdsperson

Salary: £25,623 / year

Herdsperson
Application Deadline: 14 March 2025

Department: Farm Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Gelli Aur Campus

Reporting To: Farm Manager

Compensation: £25,623 / year

DescriptionThe Corporate Board is committed to appointing staff who will display initiative and enthusiasm, and further enhance the reputation of the College through a commitment to working as a team member and producing work of high quality. The post provides an exciting and challenging opportunity for a pro-active and innovative person.

The commercial farming operation within Coleg Sir Gâr, Carmarthenshire College, is primarily (but not exclusively) centred around Gelli Aur Farm. The Herdsperson will be given appropriate training to support the Farm Manager/Herd Manager in the day-to-day management of the two dairy herds and replacements that represent the nucleus of the commercial farm enterprise at Gelli Aur College Farm. It is essential therefore that the Herdsperson is an integral member of a successful team which includes the Farm Manager and the Herd Manager. Established in 1997, the Gelli Aur Agricultural Diversification and Technology Centre is fundamental in supporting Gelli Aur as a “Centre of Excellence” in land based studies. With the appropriate support and training it is essential that the Herdsperson is capable of working at the highest technical level while contributing to the training and dissemination outcomes associated with the Farm.

Whilst the Farm has clearly identified targets and performance indicators of its own, it's success is inextricably linked to that of the Curriculum Area of Landbased studies and the effective delivery of training and development programmes in Agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and assist the Farm Manager/Herd Manager in the management of the herd ensuring that all stock are cared for to the highest standard of husbandry and welfare;
• The Herdsperson will be given appropriate support to ensure that they are sufficiently trained:

- To monitor and control lameness and oversee routine foot trimming programmes.
- To supervise cows calving. Ensure that assistance is given when required and that standards of hygiene are high.
- To monitor cell counts and clinical mastitis and control them accordingly, working closely with the vet.
- To ensure cows are milked according to management policy, to include:
Frequency
Cleanliness (Bactosan band A, Cell count band 1 and compliance with dairy hygiene regulations)
- To prepare in conjunction with Farm Manager/Herd Manager and implement the agreed feeding strategy.
- To monitor the agreed ration plans and complete the monthly returns.
- To discuss and agree the breeding policy and targets with Farm Manager/Herd Manager.

• Support the Farm Manager to implement the grassland policy;
• Discuss and implement the youngstock rearing policy with Farm Manager;
• Monitor heifer growth and bulling performance and adjust the nutrition where appropriate;
• Carry out parlour and general farm maintenance;
• Achieve the physical and management targets previously discussed and agreed with Farm Manager/Herd Manager;
• Contribute to the monitoring of physical and financial performance ensuring that all mandatory and appropriate records are kept;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the dairy herd based investigations and the discussion of outcomes with students;
• Manage the storage and application of effluent and ensure compliance within the Code of Good Agricultural Practice;
• Ensure that operational procedures reflect good practice and are compatible with current training programmes;
• Ensure the Dairy Unit is at all times an outstanding example to visitors. All aspects of Unit's appearance must be permanently in order;
• Co-operate and liaise with Faculty staff;
• Co-operate and liaise with project partners;
• Manage time and work routine in order to achieve the performance targets within an agreed annual time allowance;
• Keep up to date with current farming practice, attend relevant courses and give feedback to other members of staff;
• Communicate regularly with the farm management and participate in all policy discussions and decisions that affect the profitability of the unit.

Skills Knowledge and ExpertiseEssential Criteria:

• Appropriate Qualifications in Agriculture - Degree/Foundation Degree, Extended Diploma or working towards those qualifications
• Good communicator with diplomacy and tact
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• A current driving licence

Desirable Criteria:

• Competence in the use of a range of IT systems and packages

Welsh Language Requirements:

• Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 0/1
• Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 0/1

(See detailed language descriptions here )

Persons are welcome to apply for posts in Welsh and applications made in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

For a full job description, please click here

Benefits

• You will receive 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays and five closure days which totals at 41 days holiday per year. You also receive an additional 4 days after 5 years service.
• Extremely generous pension scheme with employer contributions of 20%.
• Award-winning professional learning and development programme.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• Online and instore retail discounts