This Dairy Youngstock Supervisor job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Calf Rearer, Youngstock Manager, Calf Manager or Heifer Rearing Supervisor. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Youngstock Supervisor |
| Also known as | Calf Rearer, Youngstock Manager, Calf Manager, Heifer Rearing Supervisor |
| Department | Dairy farming |
| Reports to | Herd Manager or Farm Manager |
| Direct reports | Calf rearers and feeders |
What does a Dairy Youngstock Supervisor do?
The Youngstock Supervisor is responsible for rearing healthy calves and heifers from birth until they are in calf and ready to join the milking herd. The role leads the calf team, puts feeding and health protocols into practice, and hits targets for growth, survival and age at first calving.
Dairy Youngstock Supervisor duties and responsibilities
Calf rearing
- Make sure every newborn calf gets enough good-quality colostrum soon after birth
- Carry out navel care, identification and registration for all new calves
- Manage milk or milk replacer feeding and offer starter feed and water from early on
- Wean calves to the agreed protocol based on age, weight and starter intake
- Weigh or measure calves regularly and compare growth with targets
Health and biosecurity
- Deliver the vaccination, worming and disbudding programme on time
- Spot and treat scours, pneumonia and other common diseases early, following vet advice
- Check colostrum quality and test calves for passive immunity
- Isolate sick calves to limit the spread of disease
- Keep pens and feeding equipment clean and enforce biosecurity rules
Heifer nutrition and development
- Apply the agreed milk, starter and forage rations for each growth stage
- Work with the nutritionist to adjust rations for season, growth and health
- Track feed intake and body condition in heifer groups
- Bring heifers to target weight and size for first service
- Coordinate with the breeding team on heat detection and service of maiden heifers
Housing and welfare
- Keep calf and heifer housing clean, dry, well bedded and well ventilated
- Plan groups and moves to reduce stress and competition
- Meet national animal welfare codes and any farm assurance standards
Team leadership
- Lead, train and motivate calf rearers and feeders
- Set daily routines, shift plans and rotas
- Coach staff on the job and build their skills
Records and reporting
- Record births, colostrum feeds, weights, treatments and feed use accurately
- Use herd software or manual logs to track performance against targets
- Report trends and problems to management and contribute to farm meetings
- Liaise regularly with the vet and nutritionist on youngstock matters
Dairy Youngstock Supervisor qualifications and experience
Essential
- A diploma or degree in an animal-related subject such as animal or veterinary science
- Several years' hands-on experience rearing dairy calves and heifers
- Proven record of low calf losses and meeting growth targets
- Experience leading a team on a commercial dairy or livestock farm
- Sound understanding of calf nutrition, disease prevention and welfare
Desirable
- Experience on a large, well-run dairy rearing unit
- Training in the safe use of veterinary medicines
- Experience with automatic calf feeders
- Experience of weighing and growth monitoring systems
Skills and attributes
- Leadership, training and motivation of staff
- A keen eye for changes in behaviour and early signs of disease
- Practical problem solving
- Confident use of herd software and digital records
- Clear communication and reporting
- Organisation and attention to detail
How success is measured
- Calf mortality to weaning
- Heifer losses from weaning to calving
- Average daily liveweight gain against target
- Passive immunity success rate
- Treatment rates for scours and pneumonia
- Age at first calving
Working conditions and safety
Hands-on work in calf and heifer housing in all weathers, with early starts, weekend rota work and some on-call duty for calvings and sick calves. PPE, including gloves and boots, is worn and strict hygiene rules apply.
- 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 Youngstock Supervisor interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Youngstock Supervisor role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- What is your colostrum protocol for a newborn calf?
What a good answer shows: Covers quality testing, volume, feeding within hours of birth and checking passive transfer of immunity. - How do you decide when a calf is ready to wean?
What a good answer shows: Uses starter intake, weight and age against agreed targets, and weans gradually to avoid growth setbacks. - How do you check that calves are growing to target?
What a good answer shows: Weighs or measures regularly, compares results with targets and investigates calves that fall behind. - How do you manage heifers so they are ready for first service at the right age?
What a good answer shows: Monitors growth and condition, adjusts rations with the nutritionist and coordinates with the breeding team. - Heifers are reaching service weight two months late. How would you investigate?
What a good answer shows: Reviews growth records, rations, health history and grouping, and works with the nutritionist and vet on fixes. - A batch of colostrum tests poor quality. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Uses stored or replacement colostrum and makes sure calves still receive enough antibodies. - How do you limit the spread of scours or pneumonia in a calf unit?
What a good answer shows: Uses isolation, hygiene, ventilation, good colostrum management and early detection and treatment. - How do you carry out disbudding with good welfare?
What a good answer shows: Uses pain relief and correct technique at the right age, following vet guidance and welfare codes. - How would you make sure calf feeders follow protocols consistently on every shift?
What a good answer shows: Uses clear written routines, training, regular checks and feedback, and explains why each step matters. - How do you set daily routines and rotas for the calf team?
What a good answer shows: Covers every feed and check, balances workload fairly and plans ahead for busy calving periods.
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Frequently asked questions
The Youngstock Supervisor is responsible for rearing healthy calves and heifers from birth until they are in calf and ready to join the milking herd. The role leads the calf team, puts feeding and health protocols into practice, and hits targets for growth, survival and age at first calving.
Employers usually look for: a diploma or degree in an animal-related subject such as animal or veterinary science; several years' hands-on experience rearing dairy calves and heifers; proven record of low calf losses and meeting growth targets.
A Dairy Youngstock Supervisor usually reports to the Herd Manager or Farm Manager. Direct reports typically include calf rearers and feeders.
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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