Dairy Herd Management Internship

Internship in Dairy Herd Management

Inclusive Dates: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014

Number of Positions: 1

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, 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 position is filled.