NW EnglandAre you a successful Dairy Farm Manager looking to manage the UK’s most progressive organic dairy estate?
Our client is seeking a Senior Dairy Farm Manager to manage two large organic units, running 700 organic pure jerseys over 1700 acres of grassland and dairy cropping, aiming to go full pedigree in the coming years. You will also oversee a breeding herd of 140 British longhorn.
Based in the Northwest of England, this role is split between two neighbouring farms, focusing specifically on the Organic Dairy Business, the core tenet of the estate.
You’ll be in charge of all things dairy, ready to expertly manage two dairy herd managers in their day-to-day operations. You will coordinate and support technical operations throughout the full farming calendar year including animal nutrition and health, bovine genetics and breeding. You'll work with nutritionists, agronomists and vets to maximise herd health, and increase milk output.
You will ensure immaculate operational hygiene and cleanliness across the estate. You'll manage and mentor an experienced team of dairy workers, bringing energy, passion and drive. You will run a tight ship, ensuring all record-keeping and administration is accurate and thorough.
You'll accurately plan the herd and grassland management to the utmost detail, bringing a commitment to organic and regenerative farming principles.
You'll help to solidify the estate's reputation as a UK leader in modern dairy farming.
Responsibilities:
Farm and Estate Presentation
• Maintain immaculate paddocks, yards, buildings and visitor routes for public events
• Ensure a polished, professional impression at all times.
• Represent the farm at local walks and events and promote achievements with confidence and show-farm pride.
Staff Management
• Organising rotas for dairy team: milking, feeding, grazing and seasonal tasks.
• Provide hands-on training, mentorship and protocol updates to staff.
• Uphold top-tier animal welfare and operational standards.
• Manage recruitment and replacement consultations with clarity and empathy.
Milking Operations
• Oversee daily milking schedules, set targets for milk quality and yield, and troubleshoot equipment issues with engineers.
• Utilise Uniform Agri and in-house reporting tools to deliver transparent performance data to staff, consultants and the board.
Breeding Strategy
• Implement the estate’s dairy breeding policies through AI programmes, fertility monitoring and genetic-improvement initiatives.
• Manage autumn, spring block calving and rotational grazing track systems.
• Coordinate grazing schedules with the grassland team
• Monitor pasture growth and quality, adjust plans to secure a consistent feed supply.
• Prepare weekly handover sheets, liaise with contractors for mowing and slurry applications
Arable Cropping Operations
• Work with contracting teams to maximise cropping acreage, drawing up annual crop and slurry plans via Omnia Digital.
• Ensure Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) compliance, entering data into Land App and Google Sheets, and support PTES hedgerow and conservation schemes.
Herd & Calf Health
• Drive herd health targets with AI programmes, fertility submissions over 75% and robust hoof-care and lameness prevention.
• Oversee calf rearing, colostrum protocols, feeding plans alongside the nutritionist
• Maintain low mortality in line with Soil Association and supplier standards.
• Maintain close partnerships with veterinary professionals’ vaccination programmes and welfare audits.
Software & Data Management
• Expertly use Uniform Agri, Google/Excel Sheets, Agrinet, Grasshopper (plate meter data), and MS Office, plus in-house budgeting and PO systems, to analyse and report performance across teams and the board.
Qualifications / Experiences
• Proven experience as a Farm Manager or Director, specifically in dairy farming.
• Excellent communication skills, positivity, problem solving, transparency, self-motivation.
• Strong background in dairy herd management with a deep understanding of all aspects of dairy farming operations.
• FACTS and BASIS would be an advantage
• Cow Signal certification or similar would be an advantage
• Proven commercial, operational, and financial management experience.
• Experience with farm management software and record-keeping systems.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a proactive, problem-solving attitude.
• Ability to diversify into different areas of the business.
• Full UK Driving License.
Remuneration:
• Competitive salary, On-farm accommodation, Farm House with 4 bedrooms located on site
• Access to wider estate amenities and resources
For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call Rupert Kettle on: 01885 485523 / 07498665961 or e-mail your CV (in word format) and covering letter to rupert.kettle@delacyexecutive.co.uk , thank you.
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