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Location: Mariental

Veterinarian

Job Grade: D2

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:  

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Dairy Cow Veterinarian to join our dynamic team. The veterinarian will be responsible for overseeing the health, reproductive performance, and overall well-being of our dairy herd. This role involves diagnosing and treating illnesses, developing preventative care programs, and collaborating with the farm management team to optimize milk production and cow welfare in a large-scale dairy farm setting. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES:

• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honors) with a specialization in large animals or dairy cows.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working with dairy cows, including reproductive management and disease prevention.
• Proficiency in artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, and fertility management.
• Expertise in preventative healthcare and herd management in large-scale operations.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to guide and train farm staff.
• Must be registered with the Veterinary Council of Namibia.
• Familiarity with veterinary health software and farm management systems (NAMLITS system experience preferred).

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• Must have a healthy working relationship with state veterinary offices and veterinary suppliers.
• Physical ability to work in a farm environment and manage the demands of veterinary care for large animals.
• Strong negotiation skills with local and international veterinary medicine suppliers. 

KEY ACOUNTABILITIES:

Herd Health Management:                                                                                                                

• Conduct regular health assessments, including herd-wide health monitoring for common diseases such as mastitis, lameness, uterine and respiratory infections.                                               
• Observe, monitor, diagnose and treat individual and herd-level health issues, using both medical and surgical interventions as necessary. Responsible for mastitis monitoring and case management & treatment on a daily basis.                                                                                                         
• Develop and implement herd health plans that include vaccination schedules, parasite, fly & pest control, and biosecurity protocols to minimize disease outbreaks.
• Manage emergency cases, provide rapid treatment for injuries to minimize downtime, such as calving complications and injuries, ensuring prompt and effective treatment.                                                                                                                        
• Lead & guide the team on daily herd health activities and treatment proposals that must be performed on a daily basis. Guide and train medics to identify sick cows and common health issues in the herd as well as how to perform the correct treatment on the animals.                                                                                                                       

Reproductive Health & Breeding:                                                                                                                    

• Oversee the reproductive health of the herd, including performing artificial insemination, fertility & pregnancy checks, and managing fertility treatments. Frequent check-ups for better reproductive health management and decreased sick days.                                                             
• Assist with calving and post-natal care to ensure the health of both cows and calves
• Analyze and improve breeding programs to optimize reproductive performance, reduce calving intervals, and enhance genetic quality.                                                                                                            
• Monitor the herd for future herd genetic advancements.                                                                                                          

Preventative Care:                                                                                                                

• Implement preventative health strategies that address the herd's specific needs, including disease prevention, stress reduction, and optimizing herd immunity.                                                    
• Develop protocols for early disease detection and intervention to prevent widespread health issues.                                                                                                         
• Work closely with farm staff to ensure proper animal handling, hygiene, and adherence to health protocols.                                                                                                                      

Nutritional Advice & Milk Production:                                                                                                         

• Provide expert advice on cow nutrition, working with nutritionists to develop feeding strategies that support both optimal milk production and cow health.               
• Monitor the impact of feed quality and management practices on overall herd productivity.
• Address nutritional deficiencies and work to prevent related health issues, such as metabolic diseases, to maintain herd productivity.                                                                                                   
• Assist team with feed quality observations, give suggestions for improvement on feeding rations for optimal animal & milk production                                                                                                                 

Management Practices:                                                                                                   

• Collaborate with farm management to ensure that environmental, housing, and operational practices are conducive to cow health and well-being.  Assist Managers Milk & Non-Milk with strategic planning regarding herd forecasting, fertility planning & selection processes, culling selection and process, feed rations and processes.                                                                                         
• Work closely with external stakeholders (state vet, dairy management consultants, feed suppliers, medicine suppliers) to negotiate better prices and ensure all required resources and equipment are available.                                                                                                       
• Provide training and guidance to farm personnel on best practices for disease prevention, milking procedures, AI, animal husbandry, cow care and animal handling and emergency procedures.
• Direct & guide the Herd Administrator on procurement of medicine & equipment.                          
• Stay informed on advances in dairy cow veterinary care, including health technologies and farm management innovations, and implement improvements as needed.                                                                                                                

Closing date: 08 November 2024

 O&L - a Great Place to Work.

Applicants meeting our requirements are invited to apply. O&L Group of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    "This position is subject to a pre-employment screening and vetting process, and by applying for this position, applicants acknowledge that they are aware that the Company reserves the right to carry out screening and pre-employment vetting for all shortlisted applicants. Certificate of Conduct issued by the Namibian Police (not older than 6 months) may be required from all shortlisted applicants."

Requisition ID: 4391