Join us to build practical skills across our commercial dairy, beef, sheep and pig enterprises.

Working with an experienced team, you will gain hands-on experience in livestock production, grassland management, animal health & welfare, machinery operation and supporting our move towards sustainable, environmentally focused practices.

Day-to-day tasks will vary but will include:

• Supporting the daily operation of the college farm across dairy, beef, sheep and pig enterprises
• Assisting with livestock care, feeding, milking, calf rearing, lambing, calving, farrowing and routine animal health monitoring
• Helping maintain high standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, cleanliness, and health and safety across the farm
• Contributing to general farm duties including bedding, fencing, grassland management, machinery operation, crop work and record keeping
• Working alongside experienced staff to develop practical skills in modern livestock technology and commercial farming systems

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

Course contents

• 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