This Dairy Farm Worker job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Farm Hand, Farm Labourer, Dairy Farm Assistant or General Farm Worker. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Farm Worker |
| Also known as | Farm Hand, Farm Labourer, Dairy Farm Assistant, General Farm Worker |
| Department | Dairy farming |
| Reports to | Farm Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
What does a Dairy Farm Worker do?
Carries out the daily work that keeps a dairy farm running, from feeding and bedding to helping with milking and calf care. Looks after animal welfare, keeps the farm clean and safe, and supports the farm team with general tasks.
Dairy Farm Worker duties and responsibilities
Feeding and housing
- Feed cows, heifers and calves to the daily feeding plan
- Push up feed and keep water troughs clean and working
- Scrape passages and yards and keep housing clean
- Bed cubicles, pens and calf areas with fresh bedding
- Move cows and youngstock calmly between groups, sheds and fields
Milking and calf care
- Help in the parlour by bringing in cows, preparing teats and cleaning after milking
- Feed calves milk or milk replacer and keep feeding equipment clean
- Check calves every day and report any that seem unwell
- Help with calving and newborn calf care under supervision
Animal health and welfare
- Watch for signs of illness, lameness, heat or calving and report them promptly
- Handle animals quietly and patiently at all times
- Help with routine health tasks such as foot bathing and vaccinations under direction
- Record treatments, births and other events accurately
Machinery and general farm work
- Operate tractors, loaders and other basic machinery safely after training
- Carry out daily checks on machinery and report faults
- Help with fencing, slurry handling, field work and general repairs
- Keep the yard, buildings and stores tidy and organised
Health, safety and biosecurity
- Follow farm safety rules around animals, machinery and slurry
- Wear the correct PPE and use chemicals safely
- Follow biosecurity rules for visitors, footwear and sick animals
- Report accidents, near misses and hazards straight away
Dairy Farm Worker qualifications and experience
Essential
- Some farm or animal-handling experience, or a genuine interest in learning dairy farm work
- Basic reading, writing and number skills for simple records
- Understanding of why animal welfare and hygiene matter
- Willingness to follow safety and biosecurity rules
- Willingness to work early mornings, weekends and public holidays on a rota
Desirable
- Experience on a dairy farm, including milking or calf rearing
- Experience driving tractors, loaders or other farm machinery
- Driving licence valid in the country of work
- Short course or certificate in agriculture, animal care or machinery safety
Skills and attributes
- Calm, confident animal handling
- Good observation of animal behaviour and health
- Reliability and punctuality
- Teamwork
- Following instructions and routines
- Basic mechanical sense
- Willingness to learn
How success is measured
- Animals fed, bedded and watered on time every day
- Clean, safe housing and yards
- Health problems spotted and reported early
- Accurate and complete records
- No accidents or machinery damage
- Daily task list completed to standard
Working conditions and safety
Early mornings, weekends and public holidays on a rota. Indoor and outdoor farm work in all weather, with regular walking, lifting and handling of livestock; protective clothing and footwear are 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 Farm Worker interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Farm Worker role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- What signs would tell you that a cow is unwell or lame?
What a good answer shows: Names going off feed, standing apart, dull eyes, uneven walking or an arched back, and reports promptly rather than guessing. - How would you clean out and re-bed a cubicle or pen?
What a good answer shows: Removes wet and dirty bedding, spreads clean, dry material evenly, thinks about cow comfort and hygiene, and follows farm routine. - What farm machinery have you used, and what do you check before starting it?
What a good answer shows: Is honest about experience; mentions fluids, tyres, lights, guards and brakes, and asks for training on unfamiliar machines. - How would you feed young calves and help keep them healthy?
What a good answer shows: Right amount and temperature of milk, clean feeding equipment, fresh water, dry bedding, and watching for scour or poor appetite. - How should cows be moved from the field to the parlour?
What a good answer shows: Calmly and quietly, with no shouting or hitting, letting cows walk at their own pace and using gates properly. - What are the main dangers on a dairy farm, and how do you stay safe?
What a good answer shows: Mentions cattle, machinery, slurry gases, chemicals and falls; follows safety rules, wears PPE and asks when unsure. - Farm work starts early every day. What helps you stay reliable?
What a good answer shows: Has good routines, plans rest, gives early notice of problems, and shows a record of turning up when others depend on them. - Tell us about a time you worked with others to get a hard job done.
What a good answer shows: Gives a real example showing willingness to help, good communication and taking a fair share of the work. - During feeding you notice a cow down and struggling in a cubicle. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Stays safe, tells the manager immediately, avoids risky action alone, and notes what was seen to report accurately. - You are asked to use a machine you have never used before. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Says honestly they have not used it, asks for training or supervision, and only operates it once shown how.
Hiring a Dairy Farm Worker? Advertise your vacancy on Dairy Jobs and reach a combined network of over 250,000 dairy professionals worldwide, or ask our team about recruitment support. Looking for a Dairy Farm Worker job? Browse live dairy jobs or create a free job alert.
Related dairy job descriptions
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Dairy Herd Manager
- Dairy Milking Supervisor
- Dairy Youngstock Supervisor
- Dairy AI and Reproduction Technician
- All dairy job descriptions
Frequently asked questions
Carries out the daily work that keeps a dairy farm running, from feeding and bedding to helping with milking and calf care. Looks after animal welfare, keeps the farm clean and safe, and supports the farm team with general tasks.
Employers usually look for: some farm or animal-handling experience, or a genuine interest in learning dairy farm work; basic reading, writing and number skills for simple records; understanding of why animal welfare and hygiene matter.
A Dairy Farm Worker usually reports to the Farm Manager.
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.
© 2026 Dairy Jobs (Specialist Recruiters Ltd). You may adapt this job description for your own vacancies. Please do not republish it.