Goat Farm Technician

🎯 Role Definition

As a Goat Farm Technician, you are the backbone of our farm's success. You will be intimately involved in all aspects of our goats' lives, from birth to milking, ensuring their health, welfare, and productivity. This is a hands-on role for a passionate and resilient individual who thrives in a dynamic farm environment and possesses a deep respect for livestock. You will be a key player in our daily operations, contributing directly to the quality of our products and the well-being of our herd. This role requires a reliable team member who is not afraid of hard work and is committed to excellence in animal husbandry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Farm Hand or Livestock Worker
Veterinary Assistant or Technician
Recent Graduate of an Agriculture or Animal Science Program

Advancement To:

Herd Manager or Herdsman
Assistant Farm Manager
Kidding & Nursery Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Dairy Processing Technician
Livestock Nutrition Consultant Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute daily feeding protocols for all herd groups, ensuring precise measurement and distribution of hay, grain, and mineral supplements according to established nutritional plans.
Perform morning and evening milking shifts using automated parlor equipment, adhering to strict sanitation and udder health procedures to ensure milk quality and animal comfort.
Conduct daily health checks on the entire herd, identifying and reporting any signs of illness, injury, or distress to the Herd Manager for prompt intervention.
Provide direct assistance during the kidding season, including monitoring pregnant does, intervening in difficult births when necessary, and ensuring newborn kids receive vital colostrum.
Perform routine hoof trimming and foot care for all animals on a scheduled basis to prevent lameness and maintain herd mobility.
Administer vaccinations, dewormers, and other prescribed medical treatments under the direction of the Herd Manager or consulting veterinarian.
Skillfully and humanely handle, move, and sort goats between pens, pastures, and the milking parlor, utilizing low-stress stockmanship techniques.
Maintain meticulous and accurate records for individual animals, including breeding dates, kidding information, health treatments, and milk production data, using farm management software.
Ensure all housing facilities, including pens, kidding stalls, and common areas, are kept clean, dry, and well-bedded to promote animal health and prevent disease.
Operate and perform routine maintenance on farm machinery and equipment, such as tractors, skid steers, and feed mixers, in a safe and efficient manner.
Manage the care and feeding of kids in the nursery, including bottle-feeding, transitioning to solid feed, and monitoring for developmental milestones.
Implement and enforce strict biosecurity protocols to safeguard the herd from contagious diseases and external pathogens.
Monitor environmental conditions within barns, such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation, and make adjustments as needed to ensure animal comfort.
Assist in the implementation of the farm's breeding program, including heat detection, record-keeping, and preparation for artificial insemination or natural service.

Secondary Functions

Support the management of pasture rotation schedules to optimize forage quality and prevent overgrazing.
Assist with general farm maintenance tasks, including fence repair, water system checks, and minor building upkeep.
Contribute to the management of feed and supply inventories, alerting the manager to low stock levels to ensure continuous operation.
Participate actively in team meetings to discuss herd health, operational challenges, and strategies for improvement.
Follow all established safety procedures and animal welfare standards, contributing to a culture of safety and compassionate care.
Assist with the setup and teardown of facilities for seasonal activities like kidding or breeding.
Support data collection for herd performance analysis and research initiatives as directed by management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Livestock Husbandry: Extensive knowledge of goat care, nutrition, and behavior.
Milking Procedures: Proficiency in operating and cleaning automated milking parlor systems or demonstrated ability to learn quickly.
Animal Health Assessment: Ability to identify common goat diseases, ailments, and signs of distress.
Veterinary Procedures: Experience with administering injections, oral medications, and basic first aid for livestock.
Hoof Trimming: Competency in corrective and maintenance hoof trimming techniques.
Kidding Experience: Proven ability to assist with goat births and provide immediate neonatal care.
Equipment Operation: Safe operation of farm equipment like tractors and skid steers.
Record Keeping: Familiarity with farm management software (e.g., DairyComp, BoviSync) or strong computer literacy for data entry.

Soft Skills

Observational Skills: Keen attention to detail to notice subtle changes in animal health or behavior.
Physical Stamina: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in all weather conditions, including lifting up to 50 lbs.
Problem-Solving: Resourcefulness to troubleshoot minor equipment issues or address unexpected animal care situations.
Work Ethic: A strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and punctuality.
Teamwork & Communication: Ability to work effectively with a diverse team and communicate clearly with managers and veterinarians.
Independence: Capable of working independently and managing time effectively to complete assigned tasks without constant supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Dairy Science
Veterinary Technology
Agriculture

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3+ years of hands-on experience with livestock, preferably goats or other dairy animals.

Preferred:

3+ years of experience in a commercial dairy goat operation, including direct involvement with milking parlor systems, herd health programs, and kidding management. A demonstrated passion for animal welfare and sustainable agriculture is highly valued.