Dairy Herd Manager Job Description

This Dairy Herd Manager job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Herdsman, Herdsperson, Head Herdsman or Dairy Herd Supervisor. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.

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Job title	Dairy Herd Manager
Also known as	Herdsman, Herdsperson, Head Herdsman, Dairy Herd Supervisor
Department	Dairy farming
Reports to	Farm Manager
Direct reports	Herdspeople and general farm staff

What does a Dairy Herd Manager do?

The Herd Manager runs the day-to-day care of the milking and dry cow herd, making sure every animal is fed, housed, moved and observed to a high standard. Working hands-on alongside the herd team, the role spots health and fertility problems early, keeps groups and records accurate, and supports the calf and heifer unit.

Dairy Herd Manager duties and responsibilities

Feeding and water

Deliver the total mixed ration (TMR) or set ration to each group accurately and on time
Check feed intake every day and record refusals or sudden drops in appetite
Push up feed through the day so cows always have access to the ration
Keep water troughs clean, working and full at all times
Raise feed quality or supply problems with the Farm Manager or nutritionist straight away

Herd health and welfare

Watch cows closely for heat, illness, lameness, swelling and changes in behaviour
Report health concerns promptly to the vet, animal health technician or Farm Manager
Separate sick, lame or treated cows and manage them as instructed
Give and record routine treatments, observing milk and meat withdrawal periods
Assist at calvings and during veterinary and foot-trimming visits

Cow movement and grouping

Bring cows to and from the parlour calmly and safely, avoiding stress and injury
Keep groups correct by stage, such as fresh, high-yielding, late-lactation and dry cows
Check that every animal carries a readable ear tag and replace lost tags
Move cows between groups as calving, drying off and production change

Housing and hygiene

Keep pens, cubicles, feed areas and walkways clean, bedded and in good repair
Scrape passages and run slurry routines so cows stay clean and comfortable
Follow the farm's biosecurity rules for visitors, vehicles and incoming animals
Report damage to gates, water systems or housing for repair

Calves and heifers

Help with daily calf feeding and the cleaning of calf hutches and pens
Support disbudding, tagging, vaccination and similar routine jobs under supervision
Check heifer groups regularly for health, growth and signs of heat

Team, records and standards

Organise and guide the herd team's daily work and lead by example
Follow and help enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every routine task
Keep herd records up to date, including treatments, heats, movements and calvings
Work closely with the milking, feeding and youngstock teams

Dairy Herd Manager qualifications and experience

Essential

Several years' hands-on experience with dairy cows on a commercial farm
Experience leading or coordinating a team of herd or livestock staff
Sound working knowledge of TMR feeding and checking feed intake
Good understanding of cow behaviour, health, welfare and biosecurity
Experience supporting calvings and the treatment of sick animals
Able to read ear tags and keep accurate written or electronic records

Desirable

Diploma or certificate in agriculture, animal husbandry or a related subject
Experience on a large or high-performing commercial dairy unit
Training in foot trimming, mobility scoring or body condition scoring
Training in the safe use of veterinary medicines
Experience of tractor or telehandler work

Skills and attributes

Good stock sense and calm, confident handling of large groups of cattle
Early recognition of illness, lameness and heat
Leadership and the ability to organise a small team
Clear, prompt reporting to managers and vets
Reliability and attention to daily routines
Commitment to safe working and animal welfare

How success is measured

Feed refusals recorded daily and acted on
Sick and lame cows identified and reported the same day
Heat detection rate against farm target
Cow mortality and involuntary culling rates
Housing and cow cleanliness scores
Herd records complete and up to date

Working conditions and safety

Indoor and outdoor work on a working dairy farm in all weathers, including early starts, weekends and a share of rota or on-call duties. The job is physically active and PPE such as boots and overalls is worn.

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 Herd Manager interview questions

Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Herd Manager role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.

How do you use feed intake and refusals to spot problems early in a group of cows?
What a good answer shows: Checks intakes daily, links drops to health, ration or access issues, and acts or reports promptly.
What do you look for in fresh cows during the first two weeks after calving?
What a good answer shows: Monitors appetite, yield, temperature, rumen fill, discharge and behaviour to catch metritis, ketosis and milk fever early.
How do you group cows by stage of lactation, and when do you move them?
What a good answer shows: Explains fresh, high-yield, late-lactation and dry groups, and moves cows at sensible points with minimal stress.
How do you check whether cows are comfortable in their housing?
What a good answer shows: Watches lying time, cleanliness, hock and knee condition and standing behaviour, and acts on cubicle or bedding problems.
Several cows in one group suddenly go lame. What steps do you take?
What a good answer shows: Acts quickly, involves the foot trimmer or vet, and checks floors, cubicles, hygiene and ration for causes.
The feed mixer breaks down before the morning feed. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Makes sure cows are still fed safely, arranges repair or a backup, and tells the Farm Manager quickly.
How do you make sure milk and meat withdrawal periods are never missed?
What a good answer shows: Marks treated cows clearly, records every treatment, separates them and double-checks before milk or animals leave the farm.
How do you move cows to and from the parlour safely and calmly?
What a good answer shows: Understands flight zones and quiet handling, uses safe routes and avoids shouting, sticks and rushing.
How do you get your herd team to follow SOPs consistently when you are not there?
What a good answer shows: Explains the reasons, trains and checks routinely, leads by example and deals with lapses fairly and promptly.
How do you work with the milking and youngstock teams so nothing falls between the gaps?
What a good answer shows: Communicates clearly, shares records and problems promptly and agrees who is responsible for each task.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Dairy Herd Manager do?

What qualifications does a Dairy Herd Manager need?

Employers usually look for: several years' hands-on experience with dairy cows on a commercial farm; experience leading or coordinating a team of herd or livestock staff; sound working knowledge of TMR feeding and checking feed intake.

Who does a Dairy Herd Manager report to?

A Dairy Herd Manager usually reports to the Farm Manager. Direct reports typically include herdspeople and general farm staff.

Can I use this Dairy Herd Manager job description for my own vacancy?

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.