Experienced Dairy Farmer – Skilled Worker Visa Transfer Available
Featured- Dairy
- Northern Ireland
- Dairy farm
- Competitive, dependent on experience
- Full time, flexible agricultural hours including early mornings and weekends
- Discussed on application
This vacancy is specifically aimed at experienced Dairy Farmers who are already living and working in the UK and who may be eligible to transfer their Skilled Worker sponsorship to a new employer. It is not suitable for applicants currently outside the UK who require initial sponsorship to enter the UK. The Role We are seeking an experienced and dependable Dairy Farmer to join an established dairy farming operation. The successful candidate will play an important role in the day-to-day management of the dairy herd, with responsibility for milking, animal husbandry, herd health, feeding, breeding, calf management and maintaining high standards of animal welfare and farm hygiene. This is a practical farming role requiring someone who can work independently, identify problems within the herd and contribute to the efficient operation and productivity of the dairy enterprise. Key responsibilities • Carry out daily milking duties using the farm's milking system, preparing cows correctly and following proper milking procedures. • Monitor milk quality and identify abnormalities or potential mastitis issues. • Clean, inspect and maintain milking parlour equipment to a high standard. • Monitor the health, welfare and condition of the dairy herd, identifying illness, injury, lameness or mastitis and taking appropriate action. • Assist with veterinary treatments, administer authorised medicines and maintain accurate medicine and treatment records. • Assist with feeding programmes, ration management, feed preparation and ensuring continuous access to clean water. • Carry out heat detection, assist with AI and breeding programmes, monitor pregnant cows and drying-off procedures. • Monitor cows approaching calving, assist at calving and provide post-calving care to cows and newborn calves. • Ensure calves receive appropriate colostrum, milk and care; monitor calf health, growth, housing, bedding and hygiene. • Move and handle livestock safely between housing, parlours, yards and grazing areas. • Maintain accurate herd, breeding, calving, health and production records and assist with herd performance monitoring. • Maintain high standards of hygiene and biosecurity throughout livestock housing and milking facilities. • Operate tractors, loaders, feeding equipment and other machinery where trained, carrying out routine checks and reporting defects. • Inspect fencing, gates, water systems and livestock facilities; assist with grassland and grazing management. • Assist with silage, slurry, feeding and other seasonal dairy operations as required. • Follow all health and safety, environmental and animal welfare procedures, and respond appropriately to farm emergencies. Skilled Worker visa applicants A change of Skilled Worker sponsor may be available to eligible UK-based applicants. This vacancy may be particularly suitable if you are already living and working in the UK, currently hold a Skilled Worker visa, received your first Tier 2 (General)/Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship before 22 July 2025, have continuously held Skilled Worker permission since then, are working under SOC 5111 (Farmers, including Dairy Farmers) or another relevant occupation, have genuine commercial dairy experience and wish to transfer to a new licensed sponsor. Each applicant's immigration and sponsorship eligibility is assessed individually before sponsorship can be offered. When applying, please include Your current UK visa type; your current SOC occupation code; the date your first Tier 2/Skilled Worker CoS was issued; your current job title; the type and size of dairy herd you work with; your experience with milking systems; your experience with calving, calf rearing and herd health; your current UK location; and your availability to start.
What we are looking for
Essential • Previous professional experience on a commercial dairy farm. • Strong practical experience in dairy cattle husbandry and daily milking operations. • Good knowledge of dairy cow health and welfare, including lameness, mastitis and changes in condition. • Experience caring for cows during calving and the post-calving period. • Experience with calf rearing and young stock management. • Understanding of dairy cattle feeding and nutrition. • Experience safely handling and moving cattle. • Ability to maintain accurate livestock and medicine records. • Experience following farm biosecurity and hygiene procedures. • Ability to operate agricultural machinery where required. • Able to work independently, make day-to-day farming decisions and work well in a team. • Good communication skills and willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings and weekends. Sponsorship eligibility • Already living in the UK with valid Skilled Worker permission. • First Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship issued before 22 July 2025, held continuously since. • Eligible to change employer under the current Skilled Worker transitional provisions. • Relevant professional dairy farming experience. Preference given to applicants currently sponsored under SOC 5111. Desirable • Herd management software; AI or breeding experience; foot trimming or lameness management. • Experience operating tractors, loaders and feeding machinery. • Grass-based dairy, TMR feeding, and rotary, herringbone or robotic milking systems. • Relevant agricultural or dairy qualifications; full UK driving licence.