
Employment Opportunities
JOB DESCRIPTION - DAIRY OPERATIONS MANAGER
Job Summary:
The Dairy Operations Manager will oversee the raw dairy enterprise at our Brunner Farm location. This is a working role that requires managing a herd of approximately 35-40 purebred Guernsey cows in grass-based operation that produces and sells high quality raw milk through an on-site farm store. We utilize organic feed and practices in our operations, but at this time only our Wisconsin farmland is certified organic. All cows are A2 genetics and 90% grass fed, with a small ration of organic grain provided while milking.
Primary Responsibilities:
-
Manage daily operations of the raw dairy enterprise, including 6 AM and 4 PM milkings of approximately 20-24 cows, feeding and grazing, and barn and equipment cleaning.
-
Manage dairy pastures using regenerative best practices to achieve optimal animal nutrition and continuous improvements in soil fertility and biological activity
-
Consistently improve production and quality in the raw dairy enterprise, increasing income/profitability and reducing expenses where possible
-
Manage dairy pasture, barn property and infrastructure to maintain a neat, tidy, and inviting presence for visitors, customers, and the community at large
-
Maintain production, health, and calving records for the herd
-
Manage inventory and ordering of all dairy supplies including organic feed, hay, straw, minerals, supplements, milking supplies, etc.
-
Manage reproductive schedule for the dairy herd (currently with a bull), including scheduling veterinary visits for pregnancy checks, calving schedules, and pre-and post-calving cow care.
-
Test milk samples on a weekly basis and submit monthly milk samples to accredited labs to maintain our raw milk permit.
-
Refine herd genetics over time to transition to a 100% grass fed, productive, low-maintenance herd.
-
Serve as a key participant in weekly Farm Operations and Holistic Management planning meetings
-
Potential opportunity to help develop a planned creamery operation at our Wisconsin farm location.
Qualifications:
-
5-10 years of dairy operations experience, preferably in a managed grazing operation
-
Detailed knowledge of dairy operations including cow management, dairy nutrition, reproduction, calving, cow health issues, and milking equipment operation and maintenance.
-
Strong background in adaptive grazing and pasture management.
Skills/Abilities:
-
Keen observation skills
-
High level of cleanliness and attention to detail
-
Strong record-keeping skills
-
Willing and able to work long hours during the peak grazing season
-
Independent and dependable
-
Self-motivated with high degree of initiative
-
Excellent problem-solving skills
-
High degree of integrity
Compensation and Benefits
-
Salary range $50,000 - $65,000 per year depending on qualifications and experience, plus annual incentive pay based on dairy enterprise financial performance.
-
Paid time off
-
Monthly food stipend
To apply please send your resume and summary of relevant experience and qualifications to cliff@allgrassfarms.com