Job Title: Dairy Farm Assistant – Lely Robotic Dairy Farm
Location: Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Job Type: Full-Time | Part-time
About the Farm
Our client is a modern, progressive dairy farm located in the Portlaoise area, operating a Lely robotic milking system. The main focus is on herd performance, calf health, grassland management, and maintaining high standards of animal welfare through technology-driven farming.
We are looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Dairy Farm Assistant to join our team, with a strong focus on calf rearing, general farm work, and machinery operation.
Key Responsibilities
Calf Rearing (Primary Focus)
- Daily care and feeding of calves (milk/milk replacer, concentrates, water)
- Monitoring calf health and identifying illness early
- Administering vaccinations and treatments as required
- Maintaining clean, dry, and well-bedded calf housing
- Record keeping and growth monitoring
- Ensuring high welfare and hygiene standards at all times
Robotic Dairy Support
- Assisting with management of Lely robotic milking system
- Fetching cows and monitoring cow traffic when required
- Observing herd health and reporting issues promptly
- Supporting breeding and herd management tasks
Machinery & General Farm Work
- Operating tractors and machinery safely and competently
- Feeding stock using diet feeders or machinery
- Bedding, scraping, and yard maintenance
- Slurry handling and spreading (experience essential)
- Grassland management tasks (fencing, paddock setup, topping)
- General farm repairs and maintenance
Candidate Requirements
- Experience in calf rearing essential
- Previous dairy farm experience preferred
- Competent machinery operator (tractor work required)
- Experience with slurry spreading
- Interest in or experience with robotic milking systems (Lely experience an advantage)
- Good stockmanship and attention to animal welfare
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong work ethic and good time management
- Full clean driver’s licence preferred
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Modern robotic dairy environment
- Opportunity to develop skills in precision and robotic farming
- Supportive and progressive working environment
Ideal Candidate
We are seeking someone practical, dependable, and proactive, with a genuine interest in calf performance and modern dairy systems. The right person will take pride in their work, maintain high standards, and contribute positively to a forward-thinking farm operation.
To apply, please forward your CV and details of relevant experience.
