Working on a project to design, construct and operate a 140,000 cow dairy farm business in Algeria.

Responsible for assisting with the management of 1100 dairy cows across three units on a 3500 acre estate growing grass and wholecrop cereals as well as supporting 2500 breeding ewes and a 750kw biogas plant. Responsible for a team of 11 people, the rota, cow health, grazing and forage management, cattle movements, daily anaerobic digestion operations and, all associated office work. Also heavily involved with all other aspects of farm management working alongside the manager with health and safety, budgeting and business development. Fully competent with interherd, interherd+, my healthy herd, BCMS, Excel and Word.During my time I pushed animal health with a resulting drop in culling rates and lameness, implemented a grazing system resulting in more efficient use of grazed grass and an extended grazing season and, strived to develop a team of people that are willing to work together for the good of themselves and the business through improved communication and actively seeking young enthusiastic people with potential. This approach led to a reduced reliance on agency staff.

I am currently taking the chance to travel while it's available. I also believe it to be a good opportunity to find a suitable job which furthers my career on my return.

A full time position developed previously from four years part time employment during 2004-08 with the same employer on a council farm from which the herd moved in 2009 to a farm which has recently been modernised and expanded milking 110 Holstein Friesians on 140ac. Responsibilities include all milking through a 12/12 herringbone parlour, daily routine operations, animal health, fertility and grazing management (using plate meter and Pasture Plus software) and tractor operations. I undertake all grazing, health, fertility and NVZ record keeping. During my time annual yields have risen from 5500kg to 7500kg on a 391 day calving index whist phasing out the use of a stock bull and focusing on DIY AI with 1st service conception rates at 41%. Pasteurised and un-pasteurised milk is also sold to the public direct, demanding high hygiene standards from within the parlour which are achieved and maintained with mastitis cases at 27/100 cows, TBC consistently below 20 and a 210 SCC. Performance figures are available on request. Whilst challenging I have also been responsible for work experience students who have been under my supervision and this has been very rewarding in seeing their development in dairying knowledge and practical capabilities.

Employed on a custom cutter crew operating throughout the mid west of America harvesting wheat and corn. My position involved working as part of up to a twenty man team operating tractors, a 30tn chaser bin and 42ft air seeder as well as driving articulated trucks. As the main grain cart operator I held responsibility for keeping yield and delivery records.

A 365ac dairy farm supporting 390 Friesian x Jersey cows with a focus to operate a cost effective grass/low input system. Working alongside the owner duties included milking through a 26 point rotary, calving, heat detection, pasture management and animal health. A calf dehorning operation was also run. This position has offered valuable experience with NZ farming methods, particularly with regards to grazing management and having responsibility with a large herd.

A 12,000ac farm cropping 7,500ac of combinable crops. I was employed to operate the chaser bin working with two Case combines. Other duties included all hay making operations, swathing canola and fencing.

My university industrial placement consisted of milking 350 cows through a fully automated 40 point rotary on a 540ac dairy farm. Duties included milking, fencing, daily routine work and animal health. As a consequence of placement I learnt how to work as part of a team and developed my range of skills with dairy cow husbandry.