General Farm Worker Apprentice

Daily duties will include:

Being part of the daily milking rota Involved with rearing young stock  Assist with the grazing management Learn how to use a plate meter to measure grass Learn how to set up a paddock for grazing Learn how to calculate how much feed the cows need for their lactation stage as well as the number milking Tractor work would be minimal - scraping out, feeding up Fence management Check groups of cows/heifers for summer mastitis/lameness/other ill health within the herd Calving - September/October are the busiest time for calving at Lower Sessland and therefore the apprentice would be involved in assisting with calvings, checking cows, feeding calves as appropriate for their skill and competence Milk recording - there will be the opportunity to help with milk recording to understand the process and why it is important Learning about milk quality - cell count, bactoscan, butterfats, proteins, and urea in the milk to form a solid knowledge base of why jobs are done in certain ways in order to get the best milk and therefore profits The farm is very focused on cost of production and how to maximise the margin whilst remaining a high animal welfare and a safe and happy working environment Vet visits/TB testing - assisting with getting correct animals (picking out), engaging with the vet visit to learn from them and assisting with herd health as appropriate

Training:
You will be working towards a Level 2 General Farm Worker Apprenticeship standard. Includes the following qualifications; Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, which is a minimum of 1-day course (Ofqual regulated) City & Guilds Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance or Lantra Safe use of Pesticides’ You will receive on and off the job training and support from an assessor and apprenticeship advisor. You will be required to attend Bicton College on a fortnightly basis (two days every other week) as part of the apprenticeship training.

Training Outcome:

There may be the opportunity for further employment upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. The company would like to train and keep the right candidate. 

Upon successful completion of this apprenticeship there may be an opportunity to further progress to a higher-level apprenticeship. 

Employer Description:
A R Hooper and Partners Ltd. have two separate dairy units. The successful applicant will be mainly working on the farm at Lower Sessland. Lower Sessland (nr Whiddon Down) - 400 cows - 20/40 parlour - cows are grazed using a New Zealand style system throughout the spring/summer and are cubicle housed (sawdust) in the winter, they are on self-feed silage with cake in the parlour. Autumn calving herd (mid August start). Higher Cofford (nr Starcross) - 400 cows - 24/48 parlour - cows are grazed using a New Zealand style system 365 days a year. Cake fed in the parlour and supplemented with silage as required throughout the year but no indoor housing for the cows. There is a calf rearing shed. Spring calving herd (February start). All heifers, from both units, are reared close to Lower Sessland by us. Cow tracks on both farms are maintained to a high quality using concrete or sleepers as required - minimising lameness and maximising days at grass. Grass is measured weekly (during grazing season at Lower Sessland and all year round at Higher Cofford) so that we know how much grass grows daily and can utilise it to the maximum. We sell our milk to Arla and are Red Tractor assured.

Working Hours :
You will be working Monday to Friday. Occasionally weekend work will be required on a rota basis. Shift times will range between 6.00am and 6:30pm, dependent on milking rota.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Team working,Initiative,Non judgemental,Physical fitness