Apprentice Herdsperson
Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese
LINCS (LN13 0HE)
Closes in 19 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 12 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Working within the dairy herd, the apprentice will develop skills across all areas of livestock husbandry, including milking, feeding and caring for calves, moving and handling stock, monitoring animal health and welfare, maintaining records and supporting the safe and efficient running of the farm.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Livestock unit technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Working days will be discussed at interview. Hours are arranged on a rota, with two shift patterns: 3am to midday or 7am to 4pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 30 November 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Milk the dairy herd and follow correct milking procedures.
- Feed, care for and monitor calves and youngstock.
- Move and handle livestock safely around the farm.
- Check animal health, welfare and behaviour.
- Identify and report signs of illness, injury or disease.
- Prepare and provide feed, water and bedding.
- Clean and maintain livestock housing and equipment.
- Support breeding, calving and general herd management.
- Maintain accurate livestock and farm records.
- Follow farm biosecurity, hygiene and health and safety procedures.
Where you'll work
ULCEBY GRANGE
ALFORD
LINCS
LN13 0HE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Training course
Livestock unit technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
- Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
- Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
- Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
- Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
- Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
- Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
- Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
- Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
- Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
- Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
- Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
- Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
- Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
- Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork
- Plan, implement, monitor and review health and safety of self, others and livestock; including risk assessments and biosecurity policy.
- Manage, monitor and evaluate the financial viability of delivered diets, using relevant resources
- Maintain, analyse and utilize production records (both written and digital) to improve productivity and aid compliance
- Implement breeding plan, monitor and manage the physical condition and check that selected stock are in the correct condition for breeding.
- Use the most appropriate technology or digital system (for example, robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking) to ensure that livestock performance is optimised, and its health and welfare is maintained.
- Prepare, maintain and operate farm vehicles, and attachments, in different environmental and ground conditions
- Carry out day-to-day management of unit conforming to current welfare legislation and current industry welfare codes, including planning for personnel and undertake key activities, to meet KPI’s
- Implement, monitor, manage and review livestock health & welfare plan.
- Ensure that grass and forage crops are of the appropriate quality and quantity in accordance with farm KPIs
- Plan, implement, monitor and review movement of livestock at different stages of production cycle, including preparation of movement documents and allocating resource
- Plan and implement cleaning procedures across the livestock unit, including management of manure and manage livestock in accommodation
- Implement changes to policy and working practice, based on market factors such as price, supply chain requirements and new legislation
- Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to support business operation and development
- Select and prepare livestock for sale or transfer in accordance with health and safety requirements.
- Identify need for euthanasia, contact relevant professionals and complete necessary paperwork
Training schedule
Training typically includes one day per week of off-the-job training at Bishop Burton College, York Road, Bishop Burton, HU17 8QG. The delivery arrangements, attendance requirements and off-the-job training hours will be discussed and confirmed at your college interview.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
- The role is based on a working farm in a rural location, so reliable transport will be essential.
- Work will take place outdoors and in farm buildings in all weather conditions.
- Early starts, weekend work and some bank holiday working may be required due to the needs of the animals.
- The role is physically demanding and involves being on your feet, lifting, bending and carrying out repetitive tasks.
- You will work closely with cattle and must be confident around large animals.
- The farm environment can be noisy, muddy, wet and dusty, with strong smells.
- Duties may involve handling animal waste, bodily fluids and dealing with sick or injured animals.
- You will work around farm vehicles, equipment and machinery and must follow instructions and safety procedures carefully.
- Animal welfare comes first, so duties must be completed regardless of the weather or time of year.
- Appropriate protective clothing and equipment must be worn when required.
About this employer
We pride ourselves on being a supportive and welcoming employer, with a strong level of staff retention. Many members of our team have remained with the business for a number of years and have developed long-term careers with us.
We are looking for the right candidate to join our team and build a career within the dairy and agricultural industry. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced members of staff who are keen to pass on their extensive knowledge, practical skills and understanding of the industry. This is a great opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic, reliable and genuinely interested in learning all aspects of dairy farming and livestock husbandry.
https://lincolnshirepoachercheese.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
The apprentice will receive the usual statutory holiday and sick pay entitlements, along with a staff discount on produce made and sold by the business.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will have the opportunity to progress into a permanent, full-time position-as a qualified member of the team.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BISHOP BURTON COLLEGE
Jade Bishop
apprenticeshipenquiries@bishopburton.ac.uk
01964553056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058464.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)