Internship in Dairy Herd Management
Inclusive Dates: July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013
Number of Positions: 1-2
Position Description: The objective of this year long internship is to provide the successful
candidate with knowledge, training, and experience in dairy herd management. Candidates must
either be 1) a graduate of a four year bachelors program with dairy or animal science experience,
or 2) a graduate of an AVMA accredited veterinary technician or technology program (eligible
for licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a CVT). After successful completion
of the program, the intern should be an excellent candidate for a position as a dairy herd
manager, veterinary technician in bovine private practice, applicant to veterinary school, or a
research assistant. The intern will work exclusively at the University of Pennsylvania School of
Veterinary Medicine’s Marshak Dairy farm, which houses approximately 175 lactating Holstein
cows, 30 dry cows, and 160 young stock. The Marshak Dairy currently employs a herd manager
and three additional full-time farm workers. Oversight is provided by a staff veterinarian (dairy
coordinator) and veterinary care for the farm is provided by Penn Vet’s Field Service ambulatory
veterinary practice. The intern will have the opportunity to learn from all associated staff and
personnel in order to provide a complete herd management picture.
The primary responsibilities of the intern will revolve around daily work at the Dairy, including
milking cows, feeding calves, A.I. breeding, calf and transition cow care, and farm upkeep.
Additional skills and experiences gained in this internship include transition cow health
monitoring, body condition scoring, lameness scoring, calf health scoring, and other possibilities
according to the interest of the intern and discretion of the dairy manager and farm coordinator.
Training will be provided by the farm staff and dairy coordinator in these technical skills
according to the intern’s experience and background. Additional instruction in record entry
and analysis (DairyComp305), management of reproductive programs, nutrition, mastitis and
milk quality, labor management, and preventative health programs will be provided in regularly
scheduled team meetings and extended seminars. The intern may also have involvement in
research projects conducted at the Dairy.
The Marshak Dairy is located on the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary
Medicine’s New Bolton Center campus in Kennett Square, PA.
Send resume and letter with references to Dr. Jon Garber at garberj@vet.upenn.edu or New
Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692. AA/EOE. No phone
calls please. Applications will be reviewed until positions are filled.
