Apprenticeship training course
Livestock unit technician (level 3)
Manage the livestock related tasks on the farm.
- Qualification level
-
3
Equivalent to A level. - Typical duration
- 18 months
- Apprenticeship category
- Agriculture, environmental and animal care
- Maximum funding
-
£5,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training. - Also known as
-
- Flock manager
- Head shepherd
- Head stockperson
- Herd manager
- Unit manager
- Skills
-
Skills an apprentice will learn
- 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
Full information on Livestock unit technician (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.