Description:
WANTED FULL-TIME SENIOR DAIRY CATTLE FARM WORKER
- Build an exciting career in one of our most important Agricultural industries
- Play an important role in the growth and success of our business
- Permanent Full-time position
Who are we?
Altmann Farms Pty Ltd is a family owned and operated dairy farming business located in Toora SA 5253. The farming enterprise consists of milking herd totalling 480-500 cows in a TMR system. The business is spread across 1250 hectares. The family operation has been in business for several decades and is classed as industry leaders for business performance throughout these years. The operation focuses on 3 key areas of:
- People
- Performance
- Profitability
As part of Altmann Farms, your continual personal development, communication ability and working as part of the team, are used as key drivers to the farm’s performance into the future.
Position
We are seeking a FULL-TIME Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker to work on our busy dairy cattle farm business.
Major Responsibilities
This role at Altmann Farms, involves planning all aspects of milk production processes including management and coordination of milking shed routines, coordinating and implementing reproductive programs, including artificial insemination and herd fertility management, detection of oestrous and pregnancy; and assist in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved livestock strains.
The person will also be responsible for the taking control of the herd health, breeding and mating, milk quality and staff performance of the 480-500 plus dairy cattle and up to 5 staff on the property. This position requires a highly motivated person that enjoys the challenge of optimising the herd performance.
The main task and duties for the Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
- Day to day monitoring of milking herd performance
- Setting staffing rosters and management of staff for milk harvesting
- Coordinate and implement breeding and mating strategy
- Calving down
- Assist with Management calf rearing
- Overseeing QA requirements
Milk Harvesting
- Operate milking plant and equipment in a safe manner,
- Identify and report equipment not operating normally. Maintenance of plant and machinery. operate a dairy recycling system.
Animal Husbandry
- Assist in controlled breeding program. Implement calving procedures, including the ability to physically conduct unsupervised internal assessments to minimise the incidence of still births or injuries to cow or calf Animal Health
- supervise animal health programs and check feet, mastitis and sick cows handle sick or injured animals and
- Assist with treatment of sick animals
- Check collar and maintenance
- maintain an optimal environment for the wellbeing of livestock consistent with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Cattle
Feed Management and Delivery
- Calf feeding, including collection and tubing colostrum and collection. Inspect livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae.
- Transport, handle and store chemicals; prepare and apply chemicals for spraying weeds.
Plant Equipment and Infrastructure Maintenance
- Operate farm and dairy shed-related vehicles, plant and equipment. Identify and report equipment not operating normally. Maintenance of plant such as pressure washing assistance and machinery, fixing cups, bails, pulsation and sprayer. Where appropriately qualified, perform maintenance works on sheds, fixtures and fittings, fences, pumps and surrounds and install new or replacement equipment or fittings, trough maintenance and cleaning up at feed lots.
Administration
- Maintain records and data entry to ensure accurate information for stock and inventory control. Ensure food safety regulatory requirements are met. Contribute to and implement Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirement
- operate computer equipment and software packages requiring set-up and basic function operation.
- participate in enterprise/industry training sessions and workshops as required.
Key requirements
- At least an AQF certificate III (or equivalent) and at least two (2) years recent and relevant work experience; or
- At least three (3) years of recent and relevant work experience if no formal qualifications available.
- Driver licence C required, machinery experience preferable
- Good work ethic and be a team player but must also be able to work independently.
- Must have a very calm and mature nature, grounded personality
- Able to demonstrate low stress stock handling skills and understanding of why they are important.
- Must be physically fit, reliable and a hard worker, as long periods of standing and walking on concrete, and repetitive manual tasks especially with hands and upper body, and lifting heavy weights required.
- Must be resilient and enjoy working outside in extremes of weather, due to working with large animals, exposure to dust and use of chemicals.
- Requirement to wear PPE including motorbike helmet, gumboots, milking gloves, long periods of sitting (eg, in tractor) and operation of heavy machinery.
- Requires early morning starts, late finishes, long shifts.
- Requires acceptance of directions, initiative, accuracy and eye for details, punctuality, prioritising skills, empathy, flexibility to cope with change, handling pressure and stress.
- Experience in the agricultural or horticultural industries, and an understanding of risks and challenges would be an advantage.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively via phone, sms, interpersonally or by email, present ideas and to document activities; to source, read and interpret written information.
- Must have minimum of two (2) years of recent and relevant work experience.
Remuneration
Altmann Farms are pleased to offer a base salary in the range of $70,000 to $88,000 plus superannuation depending on work experience and qualifications.
The specific package will be offered depending upon the meeting of the above selection criteria and including past experience. Leave and other entitlements are paid as per the National Employment Standard (NES).