A Dairy Farm Worker plays a crucial role in the production of milk and dairy products. This position requires a strong work ethic, physical stamina, and a passion for animal husbandry.
Dairy farm workers are responsible for the daily care of livestock, ensuring they are healthy and well-fed. In addition to managing the animals, they work with equipment and machinery necessary for processing milk and handling dairy production.
This job is perfect for individuals who thrive in outdoor environments and enjoy working as part of a team. Our detailed job description template will help you outline the essential responsibilities and qualifications necessary to attract the right candidates for your dairy farm.
As a Dairy Farm Worker, your primary responsibilities will include:
- •Feeding and caring for dairy cattle and calves.
- •Milking cows using both machine and manual methods.
- •Monitoring animal health and reporting any issues to management.
- •Cleaning barns and maintaining equipment for hygiene and safety.
- •Assisting with breeding and calving processes.
- •Keeping records of milk production and animal health.
- •Operating machinery used in milking and feeding processes.
Ideal candidates for the Dairy Farm Worker position should possess the following qualifications:
- •High school diploma or equivalent education.
- •Prior experience in farming, agriculture, or animal care is preferred.
- •Basic mechanical skills to operate and maintain machinery.
- •Strong physical stamina and the ability to work long hours.
- •Effective communication skills for working in a team environment.
- •Knowledge of animal husbandry and dairy farming practices.
Dairy Farm Workers typically work outdoors and may face various weather conditions. The job requires physical labor, including lifting, bending, and standing for long periods.
Safety protocols must be followed to ensure both worker and animal safety. Workers may be required to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on the farm's schedule.
Dairy Farm Workers can advance their careers by gaining additional skills and experience. Opportunities for advancement may include supervisory roles or specialized functions such as herd management or dairy processing.
Continuous education in agricultural sciences and certifications in animal welfare can further enhance career prospects.
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Key Responsibilities
Below are 7 prioritized responsibilities, with frequency and measurable outcomes so candidates know what success looks like.
- •Milking and milk quality control (daily)
- •Perform milking for 100–300 cows per shift using pipeline or parlor systems; ensure milking takes 2–5 minutes per cow to meet throughput targets.
- •Monitor somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk temperature; flag readings above herd target (e.g., SCC > 200,000/mL) and log incidents for the herd manager.
- •Why it matters: maintains production (target 25–40 liters/cow/day) and reduces product loss.
- •Feed preparation and delivery (daily/weekly)
- •Mix and deliver total mixed ration (TMR) based on prescriptions (weights in kg), check feed bunks 2x/day, and record intake trends.
- •Why it matters: consistent rations sustain milk yield and herd health; aim for <5% feed refusal.
- •Animal health monitoring and basic treatments (daily)
- •Observe cows for lameness, mastitis, or calving issues; administer routine medications (e.g., antibiotics, boluses) under vet protocols and record in herd software.
- •Why it matters: early detection reduces mortality and improves reproductive rates by 10–15%.
- •Calving and youngstock care (as needed/daily)
- •Assist with 10–30 births/month on a 200-cow farm; ensure calves receive colostrum (3–4 L within 2 hours) and maintain calf hutches.
- •Why it matters: boosts survival and long-term productivity.
- •Equipment and facility maintenance (daily/weekly)
- •Clean stalls, repair fences, and perform basic milking equipment checks; escalate mechanical issues exceeding routine fixes.
- •Why it matters: prevents downtime and costly repairs; track and reduce lost production hours.
- •Record-keeping and compliance (daily/weekly/strategic)
- •Enter health events, milk weights, drug use, and cull reasons into herd management software weekly; prepare documents for audits.
- •Why it matters: ensures traceability and regulatory compliance.
- •Biosecurity and team collaboration (ongoing/strategic)
- •Follow footbaths, visitor logs, and cleaning protocols; train seasonal staff on safe handling and SOPs to reduce disease risk by target percentages.
- •Why it matters: protects herd and safeguards farm revenue.
Actionable takeaway: prioritize milking quality, daily health checks, and accurate records; measure progress weekly by milk yield, SCC, and feed intake.
Required Qualifications
Technical skills
- •Milking systems operation (must-have): Experience with parlors, pipeline, or robotic milkers—operate and troubleshoot pumps, vacuum lines, and sensors to keep milking uptime >95%.
- •Animal handling and basic veterinary tasks (must-have): Administer injections, perform hoof trimming basics, and follow treatment protocols; reduces infection and lameness rates.
- •Machinery operation and maintenance (must-have): Safe use of tractors, skid steers, and feed mixers; perform daily checks and minor repairs to avoid downtime.
- •Record-keeping software (must-have): Use herd management systems (e.g., DairyComp, AgriWebb) to log events and pull reports for decisions.
Soft skills
- •Observation and attention to detail (must-have): Spot subtle behavior changes to catch illness early; correlated with 10–20% fewer vet interventions.
- •Time management and reliability (must-have): Work early shifts and weekends; meet daily milking and feeding schedules consistently.
- •Team communication and training (nice-to-have): Lead small crews, give clear shift handovers, and train seasonal workers on SOPs.
Education / Certifications
- •High school diploma or equivalent (must-have): Basic literacy for record-keeping and following protocols.
- •Livestock handling or animal care certificate (nice-to-have): Formal training shortens onboarding time.
- •Driver’s license and machinery endorsements (nice-to-have): Allows solo transport of animals and equipment.
Experience requirements
- •2+ years on a commercial dairy (must-have): Demonstrated ability to handle herds of 50–300 cows, routine milking, and calf care.
- •Experience with herd health programs (nice-to-have): Participation in vaccination schedules, reproductive programs, or SCC reduction plans.
Actionable takeaway: hire candidates with hands-on milking and animal-care experience, strong observation skills, and basic software proficiency to reduce onboarding time and protect herd productivity.