Dairy Farm Supervisor

Job Summary

The Dairy Farm Supervisor will oversee the daily operations of Jeymah Farm’s dairy unit. The role is responsible for ensuring proper animal care, efficient milk production, good hygiene standards, accurate record-keeping, and effective supervision of farm workers.

The successful candidate will be practical, hands-on, and capable of helping establish efficient dairy farming systems as the farm grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor the health, feeding, cleanliness, and general welfare of all dairy animals.
• Identify signs of illness, injury, or abnormal behaviour and report them promptly.
• Coordinate veterinary services, vaccinations, deworming, and other animal health programmes.
• Monitor breeding cycles, heat detection, artificial insemination, pregnancies, and calving.
• Ensure calves, heifers, and lactating cows receive appropriate care.
• Supervise milking activities and ensure proper milking procedures are followed.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene during milking, storage, and handling of milk.
• Record daily milk production for each cow.
• Monitor changes in milk production and recommend corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure milking equipment and containers are properly cleaned and maintained.
• Implement approved feeding programmes for the dairy herd.
• Ensure animals receive the correct quantities of fodder, concentrates, minerals, and clean water.
• Monitor feed stocks and notify management when supplies need to be replenished.
• Reduce feed wastage and ensure proper storage of feeds.
• Support fodder production, harvesting, preservation, and storage where applicable.
• Plan and supervise daily farm activities.
• Allocate duties to farm workers and monitor completion of assigned tasks.
• Ensure cowsheds, calf pens, feeding areas, and other farm facilities remain clean and well maintained.
• Monitor the use and condition of farm tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Ensure proper manure collection, storage, and disposal.
• Maintain accurate records on milk production, animal health, breeding, feeding, births, deaths, and farm expenses.
• Keep an updated livestock register.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly farm reports for management.
• Maintain records of medicines, feeds, and other farm supplies.
• Report operational challenges and recommend practical solutions.
• Supervise, guide, and train farm workers.
• Ensure workers follow farm procedures, hygiene requirements, and safety standards.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, performance, and discipline.
• Promote teamwork and responsible handling of animals and farm property.
• Monitor stocks of animal feeds, medicines, cleaning materials, and other farm supplies.
• Prevent theft, misuse, and unnecessary wastage of farm resources.
• Verify deliveries of farm supplies and maintain supporting records.
• Assist management in controlling operating costs and improving farm productivity.

Educational Qualifications

• Certificate or Diploma in Dairy Production, Animal Health, Animal Production, Agriculture, or a related field.

Experience

• At least two years’ practical experience working on a dairy farm.
• Good understanding of dairy cow feeding, breeding, milking, and disease prevention.
• Basic knowledge of dairy farm record-keeping.
• Experience supervising farm workers will be an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong practical dairy farming skills.
• Ability to supervise and organise farm workers.
• Good observation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify common dairy animal health problems.
• Basic numerical, reporting, and record-keeping skills.
• High level of honesty, responsibility, and reliability.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to work early mornings, weekends, and public holidays when required.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Key Performance Indicators

• Daily and monthly milk production levels.
• Health and condition of the dairy herd.
• Reduction in animal illness and mortality.
• Compliance with milking and hygiene standards.
• Accuracy and completeness of farm records.
• Efficient use of feeds, medicines, and farm supplies.
• Cleanliness and maintenance of farm facilities.
• Productivity and discipline of farm workers.
• Timely reporting of animal health and operational concerns.
• Control of farm losses, wastage, and preventable expenses.

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies