Assistant Herd Manager - Dairy Reproduction Specialist

Petro Farms is a family-operated dairy farm in Gobles, Michigan, home to 1,100 dairy cows and an onsite replacement heifer program. We take pride in producing high-quality milk through exceptional animal care, strong management practices, and a team committed to doing the job right. Our family-based culture is built around teamwork, communication, adaptability, and a shared commitment to achieving the highest standards throughout the dairy.

Position Overview

Petro Farms is seeking an experienced Assistant Herd Manager – Dairy Reproduction Specialist to oversee the breeding and reproductive management of our cows and heifers. This is a hands-on dairy position that will also provide support with fresh cow care, herd health, and relief feeding.

The ideal candidate will have proven artificial insemination experience, a strong understanding of dairy cattle health and reproduction, and the ability to communicate effectively in a dairy environment. Additional responsibilities and opportunities may be available based on the individual’s skills and experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience.
• Paid time off
• Additional benefits may be negotiable based on experience and individual needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the daily breeding program for cows and replacement heifers.
• Perform artificial insemination (AI) accurately and confidently.
• Identify cows and heifers that are ready to breed.
• Maintain accurate breeding, pregnancy, and reproductive health records.
• Perform reproductive ultrasound examinations or complete training to develop ultrasound skills.
• Monitor breeding results and help identify opportunities to improve conception rates and overall reproductive performance.
• Work closely with farm ownership, management, veterinarians, and other team members to support herd health and reproduction goals.
• Assist with treating, monitoring, and caring for fresh cows approximately one to two days per week.
• Provide relief feeding for the milking herd approximately one to two days per week.
• Recognize potential health concerns and communicate treatment or management needs promptly.
• Follow established animal care, biosecurity, sanitation, and workplace safety protocols.
• Assist with other herd management and dairy farm responsibilities based on experience and operational needs.

Qualifications

• Previous hands-on experience working with dairy cattle or livestock.
• Proven experience artificially inseminating cows is required.
• Experience using dairy herd-management software and monitoring systems, particularly CowManager and PCDART, is preferred; training may be provided to candidates with strong dairy experience.
• Ability to perform reproductive ultrasounds or willingness and ability to be trained.
• Working knowledge of dairy cow health, fresh cow care, and common treatment practices is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English or Spanish within a dairy farm environment; dairy-specific language proficiency is required.
• Equipment operation experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong observation, organization, and recordkeeping skills.
• Dependable and able to work independently while contributing as part of a team.
• Positive attitude and willingness to adapt to changing herd and farm needs.
• Commitment to animal welfare and using best practices when caring for cattle.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a hardworking and dedicated dairy professional who takes pride in producing strong results while providing excellent care for the cows. The right person will be dependable, adaptable, and comfortable taking ownership of the farm’s daily breeding responsibilities. You should also be a team player who communicates well and is willing to help wherever needed to keep the dairy operating successfully.

Apply Today

If you have dairy cattle breeding experience and are ready to take on an important role within a family-operated dairy, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your resume or work history to petrofarms@petrofarms.net.