A calf rearer looks after the health and welfare of young cattle to help meet performance targets.
Also known as youngstock assistant, dairy assistant, herd assistant, farm assistant or calf assistant.
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.
Calf rearing is an important time for farmers, as the way in which the newborn calf is managed has a direct impact on how productive the animal will be for beef or milk.
A successful calf rearer understands all the basic principles such as the best nutrition for growth, reducing stress, good housing, and care.
As a calf rearer, you will need excellent observation skills. You’ll use these to look out for problems and prevent health issues in young animals.
You’ll need a calm and patient manner and will have to manage calves carefully to ensure they are healthy and grow well.
UK farmers work to very high welfare standards to ensure the environment in which their animals live gives them fresh air and freedom to move, so you will need to ensure these welfare standards are met.
Being a calf rearer is very rewarding and a great way to start your career in agriculture. You’ll work as part of a team and you’ll also gain broader farm experience through other tasks and duties. It can often be part of a wider stockperson role too.
You will report to the herd manager or an experienced herdsperson.
You may need to have your own transport to get to work.
As a calf rearer your responsibilities might include:
To work as a calf rearer, you should:
To become a calf rearer, you do not necessarily need a formal qualification. However, a keen interest in livestock and working closely with young cattle is important.
You can also gain experience by volunteering on a farm or smallholding.
If you live in a city or urban area, you could volunteer on a local city farm, community garden, or allotment. You can find some of these in your area on the Social Farms and Gardens website.
You may choose to study for a formal qualification or do an apprenticeship to help you gain some understanding and knowledge of farming and livestock. Take a look at the qualifications and training or Apprenticeships sections (both below) for more information.
It’s also helpful to have a basic knowledge of cattle diseases and health issues and how to help prevent them.
As a calf rearer, you’ll have the following competencies to manage the health and wellbeing of the animals in your care. You will:
The salary for a calf rearer is in the region of £24,000 to £29,000 per year.
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 though is often advertised as casual, self-employed, part-time or hourly with a salary that is reflective of the full-time rate of pay.
As a calf rearer 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 accommodation being provided or subsidised, travel pay, profit shares, vehicle use and production bonuses.
As a calf rearer you may choose to develop your career and progress to a herdsperson, or expand your skills and move into working with beef cattle instead of dairy.
You could also consider working with other farm animals, such as pigs or sheep.
Being responsible for young livestock can bring job satisfaction, so you may decide to continue your career as a calf rearer. Some farm businesses just focus on calf rearing, meaning they need a skilled and experienced calf rearer to care for hundreds of calves.
Experienced calf rearers can also start their own business buying in calves and rearing them ready to be sold as beef cattle, whereas others use their own property and time to rear calves from other farmers – this is known as contract rearing.
Courses which can help you on this career path include:
Level 1 Diploma Land-based Studies Agriculture
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Agriculture
Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Agriculture
Apprenticeships
Livestock Unit Technician Level 3
Employers and recruiters who hire for this role include:
The employers and recruiters listed below hire for roles like this one. If you would like your business to be listed here, please click the button underneath the logos shown here.
https://www.4xtrahands.com/jobs
https://www.agrirs.co.uk/work-for-us
https://careers.cotteswold-dairy.co.uk/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx
https://everestps.co.uk/milk-dairy/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1494447200599804
https://www.lklservices.co.uk/
For more information on career inspiration and lots of varied job profiles visit The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture’s website
Promoting food, farming and countryside education in Norfolk 🚜🐑
💚 A huge thank you to @benburgessag and all their fantastic staff for supporting our...
🍎🥕 What a fantastic time we had at @theaylshamshow ! 🌱
We loved welcoming visitors...
🥕 Come and visit us at the Aylsham Show this Bank Holiday Monday!🍓
This year’s...
🎉 A Levels Results Day! 🎉
A huge congratulations to everyone receiving their results today!...
What a fantastic day at our 2nd Exploring Food & Farming event of 2026 🚜...
Did you see us at Wayland Show on Sunday? 🐑✨
We had a wonderful day...
Happy Norfolk Day! 🌾💛
From fields and thriving farms to fresh local produce and the...
Our women in farming project carries on with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Associations community cube...
🌱✨ Throwback Thursday ✨🌱
Today we're looking back at some fantastic memories from our school...
🚜 Are you passionate about innovation in agriculture, food production, sustainability, engineering, technology, or rural...
🌾 Come and see us at the Wayland Agricultural Show on Sunday, 2nd August!
The...
🚜🌾Applications are still open for our FREE Exploring Food & Farming Day on Wednesday 5th...
What an incredible @royalnorfolkshow we had last week! 🌾🎉
The Food & Farming Discovery Trust...
We're at @groundswell_agriculture for the next two days! 📸🌾
Come and visit our Women in...
☀️ Hot weather is forecast for this year's Royal Norfolk Show. Here is some useful...
📸🌾 Celebrate Women in Agriculture at the @RoyalNorfolkShow 🌾📸
As 2026 marks the International Year...
🌾🎉 The countdown is on!
Next week, we’re delighted to welcome more than 15,000 school...
