Richard Watson

• Conducted routine hoof trimming when necessary.
• Responded quickly to emergency situations involving injured or sick animals.
• Provided guidance on pasture management practices such as rotational grazing.
• Managed inventory of feed, supplies, medications, and other resources.
• Maintained records of animal births, deaths, treatments, and movements.
• Responded quickly to any signs of illness or injury among the herd.
• Established systems for tracking individual animal performance data.
• Investigated potential sources of contamination or environmental issues affecting herd health.
• Adhered to all relevant regulations related to animal welfare standards.
• Trained staff on proper animal handling techniques.
• Monitored herd health and implemented preventative measures to reduce the risk of disease.
• Provided vaccinations for newborn calves in accordance with veterinary protocols.
• Assisted with artificial insemination procedures as needed.
• Organized breeding programs according to desired goals.
• Supervised employees in the daily care of animals including feeding and milking operations.
• Monitored weather conditions and adjusted strategies accordingly to avoid losses.

• Record keeping ie fertilizer placement nitrogen plans
• All tractor work
• Herd records for feeding calving and health using Protrack, Alflex, and Minder.
• I Artificially Inseminated 481 served in 12 weeks. 69% in calf after 3 weeks. 82% in calf after 12 week.
• Feed rations using paddock grazing system with plate meter recording data and fed excess requirements with supplements.
• Managing staff including daily routine tasks. I devised 'Toolbox Meetings' where we could discuss and develop future farm projects which were carried out effectively amongst the team.
• Calved 485 cows in 12 weeks with below 2% mortality amongst the dairy herd.
• Monitored herd health and implemented preventative measures to reduce the risk of disease.
• Maintained records of animal births, deaths, treatments, and movements.

My main focus spending a year in New Zealand, was to understand the utilization of grass and understand how they produce profitable milk through grazing. My main takeaway was their focus on prevention being better than cure. I now carry this into my own practice.

• Ran my own farm milking 250 cows
• I did all my own cashflows, profit loss accounts 3 and 5 year business farm plans and regular gross margins through out my tenancy.
• Three times a day milking.
• Managed entire herd.
• Accounts, budgeting and cash flow.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
• Conducted routine maintenance and repairs on mechanical systems and industrial equipment.
• Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
• Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
• Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.

• Milking
• Herd health
• Calving
• Record keeping
• Breeding
• All aspects of running a herd
• Maintained high-quality healthy dairy herds and identified and responded to health, environmental and nutritional requirements of cows, heifers and calves.
• Administered vaccinations and medications to livestock.
• Participated in marketing activities such as showing animals at fairs and exhibitions.
• Attended livestock auctions to sell newly calved heifers that I prepared.
• Assisted in the branding or marking of animals for identification purposes.
• Oversaw breeding program, including insemination operations.
• Kept accurate records of animals and handled feeding, birthing and vaccinations.
• Observed animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercised animals to induce or hasten estrus if necessary.
• Treated minor injuries and ailments, contacting veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
• Selected animals for breeding and semen specimens, applying knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits and desired offspring characteristics.

• Daily milking
• Checking animal enclosures for any damages that need repair.
• Cleaning animal pens and barns regularly to ensure cleanliness and hygiene standards are met.
• Performing general maintenance tasks such as painting buildings, fixing tools.
• Assisting in the birthing process of cows and other livestock animals when needed.
• Repairing fences around pastures or enclosures where appropriate.
• Weighing animals at regular intervals to track their development progress.
• Moving hay bales into storage areas using tractors or other farm equipment.
• Fed and watered livestock, ensuring their health and well-being.
• Administered medications and vaccinations to livestock under supervision.
• Monitored animal health, identifying and reporting any signs of illness.

Started this role at the age of 15 on my Grandfather's farm.