This Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Forage Manager, Crop Manager, Arable Manager or Feed Crop Manager. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager |
| Also known as | Forage Manager, Crop Manager, Arable Manager, Feed Crop Manager |
| Department | Dairy farming |
| Reports to | Farm Manager |
| Direct reports | Crop and machinery operators and seasonal staff |
What does a Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager do?
Manages forage and crop production for a dairy farm so the herd has a reliable supply of high-quality, home-grown feed at the lowest practical cost. Plans cropping, soil fertility, crop protection, harvest and storage, and leads the crop and machinery team.
Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager duties and responsibilities
Cropping and feed planning
- Work with the herd manager and nutritionist to plan the farm's forage needs for the year
- Choose crops and varieties, such as maize, alfalfa, grass, cereals and sorghum, for the best feed value and yield
- Prepare the annual cropping plan field by field, including rotations
- Trial new varieties and growing techniques and assess the results
Soil, water and fertility
- Sample and test soils regularly and plan fertiliser and manure applications
- Make best use of slurry and manure from the dairy as a nutrient source
- Plan and manage irrigation to conserve water and protect yields
- Use cultivation and rotation methods that protect soil structure and reduce erosion
Crop protection
- Monitor crops for weeds, pests and diseases and plan integrated control
- Ensure pesticides are stored, applied and recorded safely and lawfully
- Handle and dispose of hazardous materials and empty containers correctly
Harvest, storage and quality
- Time harvests to capture the best forage quality
- Oversee silage making, haymaking and grain storage to minimise losses
- Test stored forage and share results with the feeding team
- Check feed stocks against herd demand and plan for any shortfall
People, machinery and budget
- Plan, organise and supervise the daily work of crop and machinery staff
- Schedule servicing and repair of tractors, harvesters and other equipment
- Prepare and manage the crop budget and track cost per tonne of dry matter
- Keep computerised field records and produce regular reports for management
- Handle staffing issues, including performance and discipline, firmly and fairly
Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager qualifications and experience
Essential
- Degree or diploma in agriculture, agronomy or crop science
- Proven experience managing arable or forage crop production
- Sound understanding of soil fertility, soil testing and nutrient management
- Pesticide application certificate or equivalent training
- Experience supervising farm staff
- Experience managing a crop budget
Desirable
- Experience growing forage for a dairy or livestock farm
- Knowledge of irrigation design and management
- Experience with precision farming technology
- An agronomy or advisory qualification
Skills and attributes
- Planning and organisation
- Leadership and sound judgement on staffing
- Practical knowledge of farm machinery and maintenance
- Computer skills for records and reports
- Good working relationships with herd and feeding teams
- Clear written and spoken communication
How success is measured
- Forage yield per hectare against target
- Forage dry matter, energy and protein on target
- Feed stocks cover herd needs all year
- Cost per tonne of dry matter within budget
- Harvest and storage losses minimised
- Full compliance with pesticide and environmental rules
Working conditions and safety
Farm-based, with long hours and weekend work during sowing and harvest. Outdoor work in all weathers, with PPE for pesticide handling and machinery work.
- Follow health and safety rules and safe systems of work, and wear the correct PPE
- Follow animal welfare, biosecurity and medicine-use procedures at all times
- Report hazards, accidents, near misses and concerns promptly
Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- How do you decide when to cut grass or maize for silage?
What a good answer shows: Balances dry matter, digestibility and yield, uses crop assessments and weather, and agrees targets with the nutritionist. - How would you use slurry and manure to reduce bought-in fertiliser?
What a good answer shows: Tests soils and manures, matches applications to crop need and timing, and follows nutrient and environmental rules. - How do you build an annual cropping plan to meet the herd's forage needs?
What a good answer shows: Calculates herd demand, considers rotations, soils and stocks, and chooses crops that balance yield, quality and cost. - What steps do you take to make good silage and keep clamp losses low?
What a good answer shows: Knows correct dry matter, chop length, rapid filling, consolidation, sealing and good face management at feed-out. - A poor season leaves you with 20% less forage than the herd needs. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Quantifies the gap early, explores alternative crops and bought feeds, and agrees a costed plan with management. - Forage analysis shows this year's silage is lower in energy than expected. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Shares results quickly with the nutritionist, plans ration changes or supplements, and adjusts future harvest timing. - What controls do you put in place for storing and applying pesticides safely?
What a good answer shows: Knows secure storage, trained operators, calibrated sprayers, PPE, records and correct disposal of containers and washings. - How do you keep staff safe around tractors, harvesters and silage clamps?
What a good answer shows: Uses training, safe stop routines, clamp edge controls, maintenance checks and clear rules around working machinery. - How do you organise and motivate a machinery team through a long, pressured harvest?
What a good answer shows: Plans shifts and breaks, communicates clearly, keeps safety first and recognises effort while handling problems fairly. - How would you handle a machinery operator whose work is careless?
What a good answer shows: Addresses it promptly and fairly, sets clear expectations, retrains and follows company policy if it continues.
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Frequently asked questions
Manages forage and crop production for a dairy farm so the herd has a reliable supply of high-quality, home-grown feed at the lowest practical cost. Plans cropping, soil fertility, crop protection, harvest and storage, and leads the crop and machinery team.
Employers usually look for: degree or diploma in agriculture, agronomy or crop science; proven experience managing arable or forage crop production; sound understanding of soil fertility, soil testing and nutrient management.
A Dairy Farm Forage and Crop Manager usually reports to the Farm Manager. Direct reports typically include crop and machinery operators and seasonal staff.
Yes. Download the free Word template, add your location, contract and salary details, and adapt the duties to your site. You can then advertise the role on Dairy Jobs.
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