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Milk recorder
Milk recorder
This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.
We've listed employers and recruiters who hire for this role and you can find advice on searching for roles like this inside our Employment Toolkit.
Milk recorders visit farms regularly to take samples of the milk produced and measure the volume yielded by each cow. They organise for these samples to be delivered to a lab for testing and analysis. The results are sent to the farmers either by post or electronically.
Milk recording is a role that involves ensuring a complete and accurate record of the quantity and quality of the milk produced by each cow on a farm. It's an important role that requires the holder to have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
A milk recorder visits farms to collect milk and record the required data. To do this, they must communicate effectively with the farmer, adhere to stringent biosecurity controls and be mindful of farm safety. All samples taken on-farm must be correctly labelled and stored before being delivered to a central laboratory for testing.
The milk samples provide the farm with data surrounding nutritional components (fat, protein, milk sugars and urea levels) of the milk, as well as providing important indicators of cow health and fertility. All this data means the farmer can tell how well each cow - and the herd as a whole - is performing and if there are any underlying health or fertility issues which should be treated. Finally, it enables farmers to compare their cattle’s performance with regional and national data.
Once all the results of weighing and sampling have been obtained, they must be centrally recorded in line with legislation and shared with the farmer both electronically and often as a hard or paper copy.
The majority of milking occurs either in the early morning or evening, so a milk recorder must be willing to work flexible hours and potentially at weekends. It does, however, mean you can sometimes work around other jobs. The role of a milk recorder may involve direct employment with a milk recording organisation (MRO) or a self-employed contract role, which would require you to have your own transport to travel between farms.
Although recording is mainly confined to dairy cattle, milk records are also kept for dairy sheep and goats.
As a milk recorder, your responsibilities might include:
- Visiting dairy farms to collect samples of milk produced by dairy cattle
- Operating safely and efficiently in a dairy farm environment
- Being familiar with the standard technology/equipment used
- Sending correctly identified samples of milk to a central laboratory for analysis
- Recording the milk yields for the dairy cattle on a farm
- Ensuring the amount of milk, yields and health testing cow events are obtained and uploaded to the relevant systems
- Ensuring farmers are complying with statutory obligations relating to milk production
- Reporting failures in the process to area management
To work as a milk recorder, you should:
- Have excellent communication skills
- Be highly organised
- Be able to work under pressure and to deadlines
- Have excellent attention to detail
- Be able to self-motivate and work on own initiative
- Be a good early riser
- Be happy working with livestock in a farm environment
- Have competent IT skills
As a milk recorder you will benefit from the experience of working with cattle and understanding biosecurity requirements. However, this is not essential as training can be given.
Employers may appoint a candidate based on experience alone; however, a relevant qualification in agriculture or a related subject may also be beneficial and could increase your options.
The role would suit someone who has an eye for detail and enjoys visiting farm premises, interacting with farm personnel and using technology.
You will need a good level of education, including qualifications at GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths.
The salary for a milk recorder is in the region of £24,000 to £30,000 per annum.
This figure is for a full-time permanent position for workers over 21 years of age, depending on level of experience, business type and location. Workers below 21 years of age can be paid a lower hourly rate.
This role is often advertised as self-employed, part-time or hourly, with a salary that is reflective of the full-time rate of pay.
As a milk recorder, you may in, some instances, be paid for travel time and receive support in travelling to your place of work.
Within the agriculture and horticulture sectors, there are often many associated benefits that are not reflected in the headline salary. These include travel pay, profit shares, vehicle use and production bonuses.
As a milk recorder, you could progress your career into management roles if you choose to do so.
For example, you could develop your knowledge and skills through further training courses or study, or you may want to work in other roles in the dairy industry.
There are also other on-farm opportunities that you could explore, such as becoming a milker, a calf rearer, herdsperson or another more technical role, such as a breeding technician (also known as an AI technician).
This may require further study, such as a diploma, apprenticeship or degree in agriculture or a related subject.
There is currently no formal educational requirement to begin milk recording, however a working knowledge of the dairy industry, along with basic farm biosecurity, is a good starting point.
Although milk recorders are usually self-employed contractors, you will receive training from the organisation you are contracted to at the start of your time as a milk recorder and then as and when required.
Apprenticeships
There are no formal apprenticeships exclusively related to this role, but it is something you may wish to progress following the completion of an agricultural related apprenticeship.
Short courses and online study
TIAH’s Essential Skills courses on Biosecurity, Foundations in Farm Safety and Animal Health and Welfare (for Farm Workers) would all support this role well.
You can find out more about the life and work of a milk recorder by watching these videos:
Milk recording - What's that all about? The Funky Farmer
A message from a milk recorder: NMR National Milk Records
CIS Services for herds: CIS - The Cattle Information Service
Return to our job profiles page for more exciting roles in farming and growing.
Next steps in a career from this role
Working in this role could be an important step in your career, potentially leading to the following positions:
