Farm Assistant Jobs in Southland

**Job Description** **Feed Production Management** • Assist with any feed planning or the management of as appropriate. • Assist to manage weeds and pests to maintain pasture and crops. **Milking** • Maintain all appropriate effluent management records. • Know what to do when things go wrong. **Animals** • Implement animal health program to maintain good health. • Assist with calving and the calf rearing program to achieve minimal losses and ensure high quality replacements are available for the herd. • Assist to manage repairs and maintenance schedule for all plant, machinery and infrastructure. • Ensure all relevant company policies are understood and adhered to. Experience/qualification is an advantage but not essential. • Dedication, commitment and willing to learn are the traits we are looking for. **Farm Size (ha)** 230 **Peak Herd Size (cows)** 650 **Typical On-farm Staff** 4 **Accommodation available** SHARED ACCOMMODATION **Hour Type** week **Average Hours Per week** 40 **Roster** Single rotation - 5 Days on / 2 days Off **Remuneration paid by** By Negotiation

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to join us on our 670 cow dairy farm situated between Balfour and Riversdale. You must have a positive attitude and a desire to learn and progress in the dairy industry. Must have NZ dairying experience. Your jobs will include milking (54 bale rotary with ACR’s, Protrack and in-shed feeding), animal husbandry, tractor work, moving irrigation, spraying, day-to-day maintenance, feeding out and setting up breaks. It is a self contained well set up farm. We offer excellent housing, a structured roster system that allows sleep ins and encourage training and development. Must be eligible to work in New Zealand. Hold a current New Zealand Drivers license. Able to pass a drug test. A clean criminal record. Please provide a cover letter, c.v. and at least two references. Any questions please contact Sam Weatherall - 0273302123 Farm Size (ha): 269 Peak Herd Size (cows): 650 Typical On-farm Staff: 4 Position Start Date: 09/03/2026 Accommodation available: 2 bedroom cottage with 3 bay garage Hour Type: week Average Hours Per week: 45 Roster: Single rotation - 6 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We have a job opportunity for a motivated enthusiastic dairy farm assistant for the 2025/2026 season. Our family farm is located 15 km North of Invercargill. This is a self-contained unit milking approx 300 Fr cows through 30 aside herringbone with automatic cup removers, feed pad and calving pad. Stock wintered on the farm. Experience is preferred but not necessary. Additional training will be provided. Applicant must provide an updated CV with references. (PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU ARE ON A VISA) Farm Size (ha): 160 Peak Herd Size (cows): 300 Typical On-farm Staff: 1 Position Start Date: 10/02/2026 Accommodation available: New (one-bedroom) house on the farm. Fully insulated with heat pump. Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 40 Roster: Double rotation - 6 Days on / 1 day Off - 5 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We have a position available for a Dairy Farm Assistant on a 750 cow dairy farm located in the Kapuka area in Southland. We are looking for someone who is genuinely interested in farming and enjoys working with animals as milking is a large part of this role. Preferably you will have some experience but we may consider someone new to the industry with the right attitude. The shed is a 50 bale rotary with Protrack, acr's, inshed feeding and auto teat spray. There are allflex collars going on the cows in March and Herd Home barns going on next season. Accommodation provided is a modern, warm 3 bedroom home with a large garage. It has a fire with a wetback and heat pump for heating. It is fully insulated with double glazed windows and is Healthy Homes compliant. A dishwasher is also supplied. Farm Size (ha): 261 Peak Herd Size (cows): 750 Typical On-farm Staff: 4 Average Hours Per week: 55 Roster: Single rotation - 6 Days on / 2 days Off

We have a vacancy in our team for a farm assistant at Dacre, 10 mins from Invercargill. Key tasks include milking, tractor work and maintenance. This is a well equipped farm with acres, in shed feeding and well fed happy cows. Cowshed is a 30 aside herringbone and position is to work with 2ic on farm, we employ relief staff, calf rearers and contractors to do all ground work. Ideally we are looking for an easy going, honest person who genuinely loves farming. We provide a warm welcoming environment with easy going bosses, roster is currently 11 on 3 off. We strive to support our staff in achieving a great work life balance in a family friendly, drug free atmosphere. If this is a position that interests you please provide CV with two references. We would consider a flexible start date to accommodate the right candidate ie earlier or 1 June 2026. Farm Size (ha): 100 Peak Herd Size (cows): 340 Accommodation available: 2 bedroom cottage on farm, 10 years old with heatpump Average Hours Per week: 50 Roster: By negotiation

Dairy Farm Worker required. Minimum 3 years' experience, preference given to those who can be sole charge. Relief work/calf rearing available for partner. Very good 3-bedroom house. 42 aside hearing bone with protrack, cell sense and allflex collars. Good local primary and secondary school with bus at gate. 30 mins to Gore and Invercargill. Remuneration based on experience. Call Jonathon on 021355811 Farm Size (ha): 164 Peak Herd Size (cows): 500 Typical On-farm Staff: 2 Full Time Position Start Date: 02/02/2026 Accommodation available: Very good 3-bedroom house Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 45 Roster: Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We require a junior Dairy Farm Assistant to join us for the next season. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: - Working collaboratively within our team under the guidance of the contract milker and 2IC. - Assisting with milking operations, including shed setup and getting cows in. - Conducting weed control activities such as spraying and chipping. - Monitoring animal health, including mastitis detection and identifying lame cows. - Setting up break fences to manage pasture rotation effectively. - Undertaking general farm maintenance tasks, including shed cleaning and fixing broken fencing. - Assisting in the relocation of effluent sprinklers and towing trailers as needed. To be considered for the role, you must be drug-free, and have a clean police record. You must also have a full driving license to be considered for the role. There is a guaranteed minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 40 hours of work per week. Shared accommodation is available. If you're ready to embark on a rewarding journey in the heart of New Zealand's agricultural industry, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your CV with references, and let's explore the possibilities together.

Due to our traveler leaving early January: A position has now become available to right applicant(s) who consider themselves to be a dynamic, enthusiastic person to join our fabulous team of 5. If you are driven, show initiative, and are looking to progress your career in the dairy industry with our guidance then we have a position for you. We are based 20 minutes from Invercargill - Our small coastal community boasts a local garage and on the spot store within 10 minutes of the farm. Local Primary School and country club also within 10 minutes drive. We milk 750 cows through a 54 bale rotary with ACR's and Milkhub dairy automation and auto drafting in shed. Inshed feeding consists of barley and molasses - our milking platform consists of 420ha surrounded by 284ha of natives etc. Duties would consist of but not limited to: milking, weed control, tractor work, general farm maintenance. Applicants need to be able to work and are based in NZ - WE ARE NOT ACCREDITED EMPLOYERS AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS. Animal welfare on this farm is held in the highest regard so it is important that you are a caring and patient person who comes to work with a smile on your face and there will always be a smile returned. Primary ITO training is encouraged if requested. Our roster at present is 6 days on and 1 day off - due to the fact that we have been training 3 x new people on farm but it is important for our staff to move to 6 days on and 2 days off and an extra person would enable this. All cows are wintered off farm from early June till late July - early August so this time is usually when holidays are taken. Winter work (early June and July) is limited as it is weather dependent. Remuneration package is negotiable for the right person and depends upon experience. If this sounds like you and you are interested in joining our family/team then get in touch. Regards, Mark and Nadine

We are looking for a reliable farm assistant. We peak milk 500 cows through a 54 bale rotary shed with ACR and in shed feeding. Our ideal candidate would have at least 1-2 seasons under their belt and understand the day to day running of a dairy farm. Being able to detect and treat mastitis and other animal health conditions is a must. The farm is located 9km north of Winton, Southland - high school and primary school busses available. A 3 bedroom house is provided on farm. We offer a good supportive team environment, willing to train the right person to help them further their knowledge in the industry. We are not accredited employers, please don't apply if you are not in New Zealand or don't hold the correct visa. Please send your CV to joshalicesherratt@hotmail.com or apply through farm source. Look forward to hearing from you Josh and Alice

We have an exciting opportunity for a Dairy Farm Assistant with 12+ months of dairy farm experience to join a well-run 900-cow farm in Woodlands, just 20 minutes from Invercargill, milking through a modern 50-Bail Rotary shed. You'll enjoy a role packed with variety—plenty to keep you busy, learning, and growing, including: - Milking twice daily - Shifting cows and feeding out - Fencing and weed control - Calving and calf rearing - Shed cleaning, hygiene and setup - Identifying and alerting managers to sick cows - Treating animals as required - Setting fences - Other general hands-on farm duties Weekly hours are a minimum of 40, average of 45 and a maximum of 60, and because farming is unpredictable, if you work beyond the agreed maximum hours in a fortnight, you’ll be paid at the agreed overtime rate for every additional hour worked. The schedule can vary, but typically you’ll be working 4:30am–5:30pm with meal and rest breaks. Roster: 6 days on, 2 days off—a great balance for farm life. Salary is up to $75,000 per annum, subject to experience. Candidates must have solid dairy farming experience and be able to provide strong, relevant references. To be considered you must: - Provide a current, correct and complete CV or verifiable proof of work (this is proof of work and professionalism and the employer will not consider you without this) - Be a solid worker and with good character (where possible, we will do a criminal check) - Be physically fit and capable of farm duties - Pass a pre-employment drug test - Hold at least a restricted driver licence Summary: If you're someone who doesn’t shy away from early starts, takes pride in hard, honest work, cares deeply about animal welfare, and communicates well with others—you’ll not only want this job… you’ll thrive in it.

Milking cows riding four wheelers to fetch cows in putting wash program through milking plant, and cleaning washing down milking yard and equipment and helping with rearing of calves, spraying weeds. Must be able to pass police check and drug test. No experience required; we will provide ongoing training. Driver's license required (min restricted).

We require an honest reliable farm assistant to join our team at Wallacetown Southland. Experience preferred but not essential. Duties include: - Milking: assists in efficient and hygienic milking routine - Animal Health: assists with identifying, treating and reporting of stock - Nutrition: assists with feeding, handling and moving stock - Environment: assists with the nutrient effluent and water management - People: ability to work in a team Health and safety of people and animals are a priority. The successful applicant must comply with farm and safety policies. Minimum of 30 hours. Accommodation: Shared accommodation - 3 bedroom house Farm Size (ha): 560 Peak Herd Size (cows): 1300 Typical On-farm Staff: 6 full time 2 part time Position Start Date: 05/01/2026 Accommodation available: Shared Single Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 45 - 50 Roster: Single rotation - 8 Days on / 3 days Off Remuneration paid by: Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly

We have a team member looking to move on in January for his children’s schooling so we are looking for a farm assistant. We are a family owned and operated farm located at Brydone, between Edendale and Mataura. We milk 445 cows through a 36 aside herringbone shed, with ACR’s, automatic teat sprayer and auto drafting. It is an efficient shed that allows for shorter milkings and solo milking from the end of AI until dry off. We have a run-off which allows us to graze all of our youngstock and winter our cows. This provides the opportunity for a variety of work between the dairy farm and the run off. Our ideal applicant will be someone who is keen to learn and assist with day to day running of the farm, have a good attitude and happy to work with others, be honest and reliable, have a passion for farming and enjoy milking cows, be observant and have common-sense, be a good communicator & able to work independently when needed. Applicants must currently reside in NZ and be available for an on-farm interview. What we Offer: - Hands on employers who are happy to train & provide opportunities to learn - Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience & skill - Flexible roster to suit - Good on farm accommodation available - A positive and supportive work environment

🐄 Ready for your next challenge? Our Valley Views support block is a pasture-based farming system with a strong focus on animal welfare. We’re seeking a driven Grazing Block Assistant to join our team. This location offers hunting & fishing on your back doorstep. 📍 Location: Just 15 mins from Mossburn in Northern Southland: Peak herd 1300 bulls 110 ha of swedes and fodderbeet for wintering, plus silage. 🛠️ About the Role: This is a permanent, full-time position focused on: - Pasture allocation and stock management - Tractor work (feeding out, fencing, general yard duties) 🌱 About Us: Dairy Holdings Ltd operates over 60 dairy farms and over 20 support blocks that has been operating for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on our approach that is based around our people, our process, and our pasture, always with the health and safety of our people first and foremost. We aim to be an employer of choice, with excellent training and development opportunities. There is the opportunity to grow with our farming business if you have the personal drive to do so. 📋 Key Responsibilities: - Pasture and feed management - Animal care and welfare - General farm maintenance - Health and safety compliance - Accurate record keeping 👤 Who We’re Looking For: You’ll thrive in this role if you: - Put health and safety first - Have experience or keen to learn pasture-based systems - Are committed to environmental and animal welfare standards - Bring a proactive, can-do attitude 💼 What We Offer: - Competitive salary (negotiable based on experience) - On-farm housing available including electricity (reasonable costs). - Opportunities for career growth within our wider farming business 📝 Additional Requirements: - Must pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check - Must hold and maintain a valid New Zealand work visa Apply now by sending your CV through at jobs@dairyholdings.co.nz

Looking for a Farm assistant to help with day to day running of the 650 cow farm we contract milk. Due to our 2ic leaving to progress up the ladder into management we require a new staff member. Looking for someone with some experience milking and getting cows in, putting up fences, weed spraying. Tractor work would be a bonus but can be taught mainly topping, urea and feeding out. Milking 650 cows through a 50 aside herringbone shed with inshed feeding. Start date, immediately. Pay based on experience. Farm Size (ha): 201 Peak Herd Size (cows): 650 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 plus a relief milker Position Start Date: 27/11/2025 Accommodation available: House on farm Hour Type: week Average Hours Per week: 65 Roster: Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off Remuneration paid by: Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

Milking 700 cows through a 50 bale rotary, in-shed feeding, you will be assisting the managers with the day-to-day running of the farm and be willing to be trained to: feeding stocks and calves, milking, tractor work, fencing, shed hygiene, assisting in effluent and weed management, assist in detecting in-heat cows during mating and general farm duties. There is a guaranteed 30 hours minimum and a maximum of 50 hours of work per week at $28.25/hour wage rate. You will need to be a good team player, reliable, honest, punctual, and have a high degree of integrity. You should be tidy both on-farm and accommodation and a non-smoker. No pets are allowed in the accommodation. You should hold a full driving license and pass both police and drug checks. Please submit CVs with at least 2 work referees. Farm Size (ha): 270 Peak Herd Size (cows): 700 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 Position Start Date: 02/02/2026 Accommodation available: Shared accommodation available Hour Type: week Average Hours Per week: 35 Roster: Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off Remuneration paid by: Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly

Fixed term farm assistant role over the summer. This would suit a student with milking or tractor work experience. Remuneration based on experience. Can train the right person up. Farm Size (ha): 270 Peak Herd Size (cows): 815 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 Position Start Date: 20/11/2025 Accommodation available: Shared. Drive in preferred. Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 30 Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly

**Job Description** - **Milking**: Assist in efficient and hygienic milking routine. Follow procedure to produce high quality milk. - **Animals**: Assist in safe handling of animals, report any health and welfare issues as per farm policy. Assist with moving and handling animals safely and observe and report on wellbeing of all classes of stock. - **Feed**: Set break fences and feeds out as directed. Assist with pasture and crop weed control and learn about feed allocations and health issues associated with crops. - **Environment**: Understand how dairy effluent systems operate and how effluent affects the on-farm environment and be aware of regional council requirements and their responsibilities to comply with these. - **People**: Work well with others, building a strong team culture. Develop an understanding of what makes a good farm team, and how their actions affect the wider team. - **Machine, vehicles, and technology**: Safely use and maintain vehicles on farm as directed by on farm policy. Learn about the farm irrigation system, and assist with identifying irrigation problems and making repairs, as directed. - **Health, safety and wellbeing**: Be involved in building a health, safety, and wellbeing culture and adhere to the farm H, S & W policy. Identify hazards, understands safety procedures, and demonstrates safe on-farm work practices. **Requirements**: Must be able to work weekends, must be able to work early starts and in all weather, have a driver's license, be drug free, have a positive attitude, ride a motorbike and work well within a team and live on farm with no animals.

We are looking for two Dairy Farm Assistants to work on a 700-cow farm in the Otautau area, milking through a 46-aside Herringbone shed. While previous experience is preferred, it is not required for this role. You'll have a range of duties to keep you busy, interested and developing including: - Milking twice a day - Shifting cows and feeding - Fencing, weed control - Calving, calf rearing - Shed cleaning and setup - Identifying and alerting managers to sick cows - Setting fences - And other general farm duties. Weekly hours are a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 50. Since farm work is dependent on a number of unknown factors like weather and animals, any hours worked beyond the agreed maximum in a fortnightly pay period will be paid at the agreed overtime rate. The schedule may vary; Roster will be either 5 days on, 2 days off or 10 days on, 4 days off, depending on the season. Wage ranges from $23.50 - $28.00 per hour, subject to experience. Candidates are required to provide good related references. To be considered you must: - Provide a CV which is current, correct and complete or alternative evidence of work (this is proof of work and professionalism and the employer will not consider you without this) - Be a solid worker and with good character (where possible, we will do a criminal check) - Be physically fit - Be able to pass a pre-employment drug test Summary - if you're committed to getting up early, working hard, treating the animals with care and respect and communicating well with others, you will want this job (or last in it).

2x Dairy Farm Assistant roles available on our dairy farm in Western Southland (35 minutes to Invercargill). Due to team members taking on new responsibilities across our busy farming operation, we are looking to recruit two Dairy Farm Assistants. Main tasks: - Milking and maintaining good hygiene in the dairy shed, - Weed control, - Monitoring pasture and crop growth, - Other general farm duties. This role is suited to someone with experience working in the outdoors in primary agricultural production settings such as dairy, sheep/beef, arable/cropping, or horticulture. We will provide full, structured training on dairy farm specific tasks during your paid working hours. To be considered you must: - Have at least 3 years of relevant experience working in agricultural production systems (eg. dairy, sheep/beef, arable/cropping, horticulture) - Be physically fit, and have experience doing physical agricultural work in the outdoors, including: - Outdoor work in all weather - Physical work (lifting, carrying and repetitive tasks) - Following routines and working during peak seasonal workloads - Health & safety around machinery and vehicles - Provide a written CV which is current, correct and complete or alternative evidence of work (this is proof of work and professionalism and you will not be considered without this) - Be a solid worker and with good character (where possible, we will do a criminal check, and we will check references for evidence of reliable and consistent work attendance) - Be able to pass a pre-employment drug test if requested - Be willing to share a farm house with another staff member Candidates are required to provide good references from previous or current employer(s). Employment Type: Permanent Full-time Days Required: 5:2 roster Hours: Minimum guaranteed hours of 30 hours per week, maximum hours of 40 per week. Hourly rate: $27 - $30 per hour Should you work beyond the contracted maximum hours in a fortnightly pay period, your contract will state an agreed overtime hourly rate (equal to or greater than your standard hourly rate) for any hours beyond the maximum hours. Applications close 23/12/2025. Farm Size (ha): 173 Peak Herd Size (cows): 599 Typical On-farm Staff: 4 full time Position Start Date: 01/04/2025 Accommodation available: Shared accommodation on farm is provided. No pets permitted. Rent will be deducted from wages. Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 35 Roster: Single rotation - 5 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)