Farm Manager

Job Title: Newford Farm Manager.

Reporting To: Agriculture manager

Location: Newford Farm, Athleague, Co. Roscommon

Contract Type: Permanent, ful time 

Role Summary:

Newford Farm is a suckler beef demonstration farm which is based in Athleague, Co. Roscommon. It is a joint project between Dawn Meats and Teagasc and supported by McDonald’s. The herd is run on a fully commercial basis, demonstrating the potential of a suckler beef farm to improve farm performance and apply best practice in sustainability, when operated to the highest level of technical efficiency. Newford require a Farm Manager for the management of the herd along with the management of the newly established 200 head winter finishing unit.

The successful candidate will be based at our Newford farm and will be responsible for:

• Welfare of the Herd calving, maintenance of the herd register, animal performance etc.
• Machinery operation - e.g. tractors, implements.
• Breeding management – heat detection and AI.
• Grassland management - grass allocation and management.
• Animal health management – identifying and treating basic animal health problems
• Working with Dawn Meats and Teagasc staff to facilitate public events on the farm
• Winter finishing unit management –feed management and herd health
• Management of seasonal and part time staff

The ideal Candidate will have or demonstrate:

Essential skills 

• A Level 5 Advanced Certificate in Farm Administration and/or a Level 5 Advanced Cert in Agriculture or a related discipline.
• Grazing management, Animal Handling, Machinery operation, Breeding Management.
• Animal health and welfare.
• Health and Safety.
• Ability to work as part of a team, including consulting, collaborating and building relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the programme.
• Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer.

Desired 

• Level 6 Qualification in Agriculture or a related discipline
• Some experience in dairy herd management and relevant computer applications would be a distinct advantage.
• Record keeping and ability to use IT.
• Grass management software.

As this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Dawn Meats, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

INDLP