Calf Rearer

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are looking for a keen Calf Rearer to work within a small team on the University of Edinburgh’s teaching and commercial dairy farm located 15 miles from Edinburgh city centre.

Key responsibilities will be to take responsibility for the husbandry, health and welfare of all calves up to the age of 4 months. Be involved with all day-to-day routines associated with the running of a large 240 cow, high yielding 11,000 litre dairy herd and associated young-stock including milking and feeding of the cows.

The farm has a range of purpose-built dairy sheds, as well as other youngstock accommodation. We are installing a new 28:28 parlour with feeders, ACR’s, meters, auto ID and auto shedding autumn 2025.

The successful candidate must have previous experience in a similar role, be able to think for themselves and work with the existing team. In return we offer a competitive salary, 3-bedroom family accommodation which is on-farm, centrally heated, double glazed and is free from rent. Good local schools, and the opportunity to be a key part in a successful and progressive business.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Responsible for the husbandry, health and welfare of the calves up to 4 months age. This includes hand feeding all calves for 96 hours post birth to ensure adequate colostrum is fed. Cleaning and maintaining automatic calf feeding machines. This includes an awareness of their health, an ability to spot ill health and undertake appropriate action accordingly. Mucking out sheds and bedding up.
• Supporting the Herdsperson with the responsible for the health and welfare of the dairy herd. Being part of the Milking Rota, calving, breeding and healthcare of the dairy herd. This includes an awareness of their health, an ability to spot ill health and undertake appropriate action accordingly.
• Feeding the cows with Keenan Feeder Wagon alternate weekends and covering for annual leave. An ability to follow different feed and nutrition regimes for different sections of the herd is necessary; this requires attention to detail (accurate weighing and mixing) and record keeping.
• Other duties such as basic tractor/telehandler driving, feeding, bedding, fencing and maintenance will provide variety to the role.
• Ability to work regularly over weekends and holidays as part of a rota and from time to time work extra hours in evenings as required by the farm manager.

Apply Before: 02/09/2025, 23:59