Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Working Life

Dairy Farmers usually works in a cattle and poultry farm. They are responsible in taking care of the animals that includes, feeding, bathing, and milking.

Basic Tasks:

• Taking care of the animals in the farm particularly the cows.
• Feeding the animals.
• Milk the cows
• Deliver the milk in its designated destinations.
• Observed the milk for pasteurisations.
• Inject/feed vitamins for the animals.
• Clean the cow’s resting areas.
• Taking care of sick animals
• Report and Encode observations over the cows and other animals.

A Driving licence is regarded as essential as driving tractors and farmyard machinery such as feeders, loaders, fertiliser and slurry spreaders is normally required.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
• Herd livestock to pastures for grasing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
• Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
• Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
• Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
• Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
• Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
• Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
• Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.

Further Information

• Farm Worker- from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

There is various pathways to educational skills development for becoming a dairy farmer. Some people come from a farming background and it's a natural path for them get into farming after leaving school; some enroll in agricultural or livestock-related courses, others may take related courses in biology or chemistry, or even opt for business training. The most important preparation for becoming a dairy farmer is to gain work experience on a dairy farm, perhaps becoming a dairy farm assistant.

Education can help any prospective dairy farmer to learn about running a farm, caring for livestock, and achieving production goals.

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, agriscience, 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 Business, 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

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €46k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience

Data Source(s):
Teagasc NFS/ Indeed/ Eirieri/ Payscale/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: March, 2024

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.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Clonakilty Agricultural College

  • Darrara, Clonakilty, Co.Cork
  • 059 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Mountbellew Agricultural College

  • Mountbellew, Co.Galway
  • (090) 96 79205
  • Click Here

• Ballyhaise Agricultural College

  • Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan
  • (049) 433 8108
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

  • Head Office, John Feely House, Dublin Road, Limerick
  • 061 314532 / 314677
  • Click Here