Blair Castle Estate Limited
About the role
Atholl Estates are looking for an Assistant Livestock Manager to join the team at Home Farm and help drive an expanding programme of regenerative farming.
The farm sits at the heart of a diversified rural estate of around one hundred and twenty thousand acres, with farming, forestry, sporting and environmental interests.
You will work with a herd of around one hundred and fifty commercial suckler cows, a growing pedigree native Aberdeen Angus herd, and around eight hundred Scottish Blackface ewes on an extensive, low input, pasture based system.
A key part of the role will be helping to increase breeding herds at Home Farm and supporting the establishment of a new outwintered pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd on a separate one thousand acre holding recently taken on under contract.
Key responsibilities
• Day to day work with sheep and cattle, including mainly outdoor calving and lambing
• Supporting the Farm Manager with the running of the new holding and building an extensive suckler herd on a grass based system
• Putting regenerative grazing plans into practice
• Managing temporary electric fencing and No Fence cattle collars
• Helping to establish and use a sheep EID system
• General repairs and maintenance, including stock fencing
• Safe operation and care of machinery for all aspects of livestock husbandry, hay making and wider estate work
• Assisting with livestock records and paperwork
• Monitoring biodiversity as part of integrated land management
About you
The ideal candidate will bring some or all of the following.
• Strong stock sense and experience with suckler cows and sheep
• High animal welfare standards
• Understanding of regenerative pasture based systems, soil testing and biodiversity monitoring, or a real eagerness to learn
• One or more capable working dogs
• Highly organised with good housekeeping
• Enthusiastic, positive, proactive and a clear communicator
• Comfortable with basic computer work and mobile apps
• Strong focus on health and safety
• UK driving licence
• Trailer, ATV and telehandler tickets are an advantage but not essential
Training will be provided for the right candidate where needed.
Pay and benefits
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Farmhouse included with council tax paid
• Mobile phone
• Vehicle for work use
Closing date for applications is 4 December.
Confidential conversations about the role are welcome.
Atholl Estates reserve the right to close applications early if the right candidate is found.