Apprentice Herdsperson

Location: Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese LINCS (LN13 0HE)
Closing Date: 18 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted On: 12 October 2026

Summary

Working within the dairy herd, the apprentice will develop skills across all areas of livestock husbandry, including milking, feeding and caring for calves, moving and handling stock, monitoring animal health and welfare, maintaining records and supporting the safe and efficient running of the farm.

Wage: £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
Training Course: Livestock unit technician (level 3)
Hours: Working days will be discussed at interview. Hours are arranged on a rota, with two shift patterns: 3am to midday or 7am to 4pm. 40 hours a week.
Start Date: Monday 30 November 2026
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions Available: 1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Milk the dairy herd and follow correct milking procedures.
• Feed, care for and monitor calves and youngstock.
• Move and handle livestock safely around the farm.
• Check animal health, welfare and behaviour.
• Identify and report signs of illness, injury or disease.
• Prepare and provide feed, water and bedding.
• Clean and maintain livestock housing and equipment.
• Support breeding, calving and general herd management.
• Maintain accurate livestock and farm records.
• Follow farm biosecurity, hygiene and health and safety procedures.

Where you'll work

ULCEBY GRANGE, ALFORD, LINCS LN13 0HE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training Provider: BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Training Course: Livestock unit technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources.
• Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance.
• Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
• Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
• Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions.
• Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s.
• Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
• Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs.
• Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource.
• Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation.
• Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development.
• Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork.