Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Herd Manager - Dairy- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Working Life
Herd manager is an entry level managerial role where the individual has a significant level of responsibility for herd management. As herd manager, you may be required to work as part of a team to implement the agreed farm management plan.
Responsibilities with some guidance from the farm manager/farm owner include:
- Grassland management - grass measurement, budgeting, allocation
- Milking operation - ensuring clean hygienic milking equipment at all times, having a calm milking environment and good cow flow
- Stock management - implementing the agreed plan for calf rearing and breeding, recording health events.
- Machinery duties - spreading fertiliser/slurry, feeding
- Maintenance - fencing etc.
- Task supervision, direction of farm staff/casual staff/contractors where appropriate
- Herd recording and administration
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
- Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
- Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
- Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
- Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
- Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
- Devise and participate in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
- Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.
- Prepare reports required by state and federal laws.
- Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.
Qualities - Herd Manager - Dairy
Personal attributes required for this role include: ‘can do’ attitude, ability to use initiative and people skills.
Skills required:
- Milking operation
- Stock husbandry
- Herd health and welfare
- Grassland management
- Health and safety compliance
- Work organisation
- Task supervision
- Herd recording / administration
Interests - Herd Manager - Dairy
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Herd Manager - Dairy
The recommended educational qualifications for this role is Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Management programme) and Two years on-farm experience with high performance host farmers.
On-going personal development, knowledge and skills acquisition are essential. Suggested training includes: Macra courses, discussion group participation, attendance at Teagasc Open days/seminars/conference etc.
To progress to become a farm manager either on your home farm or via employment, you should consider taking the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course.
Unless you inherit a dairy farm, a good deal of money will be required to get started in this business - land, cows, equipment, shelter, start-up supplies. It may requires substantial loans to get started. An alternative approach is to rent an existing dairy farm and start out with a minimal purchase of cows.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: animal care, management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: dairy management, agri business management, agri-science, animal care.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Agricultural Mechanic, Farrier, Farm Tech, Farm management.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: agri business, dairy management, agri-science, animal science.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: food, agri business.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Herd Manager - Dairy
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €53k
Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Talent.com
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Herd Manager - Dairy
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Agricultural technicians; herd managers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Farmers had a negative employment growth over the five-year period, with employment levels remaining broadly unchanged between 2021 and 2022.
Of those employed as farmers, 61% were aged 55 years or older which will likely impact future employment numbers in this occupation.
Useful Contacts - Herd Manager - Dairy
-
Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority
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Irish Farmers Association
