Herd Manager Jobs in Taranaki

600 COW ROTARY HERD MANAGER – 900 COW FARM, TWO-SHED OPERATION | OKATO (TARANAKI) We are seeking a capable and motivated Herd Manager to take responsibility for one 50-bail rotary milking approximately 600 cows, operating as part of a 900-cow farm running two separate cowsheds. This role suits someone who enjoys ownership of their own unit while still being supported by a wider, well-structured farming business. About the Role You will manage the day-to-day running of one shed and herd within a larger operation. The farm operates as two coordinated units, giving clear structure, support, and progression opportunities while allowing you to take pride in your own area of responsibility. Key Responsibilities - Efficient operation of a 50-bail rotary cowshed - Managing herd performance, animal health, and milk quality - Supporting pasture allocation, feed management, and break setting - Accurate recording of treatments and production data - Maintaining high standards of stockmanship, shed hygiene, and presentation - Working alongside the second shed team to maintain consistent systems across the farm What We’re Looking For - Previous Herd Manager experience or a strong Assistant ready to step up - Confidence handling larger herd numbers and busy calving periods - Strong communication and team mindset - Pride in animal welfare and tidy farm practices - Competence with tractors and general farm machinery preferred The Farm System - 900 cows across two cowsheds on one farming operation - Spring-calving, pasture-based system - Clear structure with support from experienced management What We Offer - Competitive salary package aligned with experience - Quality accommodation available - Supportive, forward-thinking team environment - Opportunities for development and progression as the business grows - A role where initiative and responsibility are valued If you enjoy running a tidy shed, take pride in stock, and want to be part of a farming business with direction and scale, we’d like to hear from you. Apply via Farm Source Jobs with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and what excites you about dairy farming.

Are you an experienced dairy professional looking for a stable role with a great roster and a quality home? We are seeking a motivated and reliable Herd Manager to join our 200ha dairy farm. We milk 520 cows at peak via 36 bale auto cup remover rotary and rear 140 replacements. We pride ourselves on running an efficient, tidy, and safe operation. Location: Ideally situated just a 5-minute drive to Opunake and a 45-minute drive to New Plymouth, offering a great balance of rural living and town convenience. The Role & Requirements The successful candidate will be hands-on and capable of taking responsibility for the day-to-day health and performance of the herd. Experience: Minimum 2 years of NZ dairy farming experience is essential. Animal Husbandry: High standards in animal health. You must be able to identify and treat sick/lame cows independently. Farm Skills: Proficient in pasture management, wire fence maintenance, and general farm upkeep. Machinery: Confident operating tractors, quad bikes, and two-wheelers. Hygiene: Must maintain high standards of shed hygiene and milk quality. Compliance: Must hold a valid NZ Driver’s License. What’s on Offer Competitive Salary: Package tailored to your experience. Great Roster: A "Double Rotation" (4-1, 7-2) providing excellent work-life balance (every second weekend off). Hours: Focused on a 50-hour average work week. Accommodation: A very tidy, 4-bedroom home with an attached garage. Note: This is a smoke-free home; no pets allowed. Health, Safety & Wellbeing Health and Safety is our top priority. We are committed to a safe working environment for everyone on the farm. We run a strictly smoke-free and drug-free environment. A pre-employment drug test is mandatory. Random drug testing occurs occasionally on-farm to ensure ongoing safety. IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ DO NOT APPLY if you are currently outside of New Zealand. > We are only able to assist with visa sponsorship to those, who reside in NZ, have valid work rights, and be available for an in-person interview. Also the start date can be negotiated. How to Apply If you are a hardworking team player who meets the criteria above, please apply via the FarmSource with your CV and 2 references. Please note: Only candidates who are shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

We are looking for a motivated Herd Manager to join our team from the 1st of June. Location: Waitotara - 10 mins out of Waverly and 35 mins to Whanganui 300ha 720-750 Spring calving herd 60 Bale Rotary shed with ACR, Automated Teat sprayer, Protrack and all cows on Halter Feedpad You'll be assisting the team in day-to-day farm operations, including: - Milking and shed hygiene - Animal health monitoring and treatments - General farm tasks Ideally, we're looking for someone: - With a minimum of 2 years dairy farming experience in NZ - Who takes pride in surrounds, dairy shed and equipment on farm - the expectation is to have a clean dairy shed at all times, looking after gear - maintaining and keeping it clean. - Who works with animals in a calm manner - Who can show initiative - Reliable and honest at all times - owning up when necessary, as this builds relationship and trust - Positive attitude - Who can work well in a team environment - Who is keen to learn new technology and be involved in all aspects of technology used on farm - protrack, halter etc. We offer: - A supportive environment where you'll learn hands on from the contract milker on a daily basis - Opportunity to grow and equip you with enough knowledge and experience for any future 2IC roles - A tidy 3 bedroom home - 6 on 2 off roster Farm Size (ha): 300 Peak Herd Size (cows): 750 Typical On-farm Staff: 3-4 Position Start Date: 01/06/2026 Accommodation available: 3 Bedroom cottage Average Hours Per week: 50 Roster: Single rotation - 6 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration: $68 000 + accommodation

We are seeking a motivated and reliable Dairy Herd Manager to join our farming operation in Ngutunui. This role suits someone with strong dairy farming experience who can take responsibility for key daily operations and animal health. Key Responsibilities: - Oversee and run the dairy shed during milking - Monitor herd health, identify issues, and carry out necessary treatments - Assist with feeding, animal care, and stock work - Maintain milk quality standards and shed hygiene - Operate farm machinery and equipment safely - Support seasonal tasks including calving, mating, and young stock management - Follow all farm policies, animal welfare requirements, and health & safety procedures Skills and Experience Required: - Previous 2 years of dairy farming experience, ideally in a herd management or senior role - Good understanding of milking systems and herd health - Ability to work independently and take responsibility - Reliable, organised, and able to problem-solve - Physically fit for farm work - Able to work within the roster requirements What We Offer: - Shared on-farm accommodation - Stable 35-hour work week - Supportive work environment - Opportunities to grow and develop skills

**Job Description** Carries out milk harvesting tasks safely, efficiently, and correctly, and assists in training new employees on correct techniques. Assists with solving milk quality problems, as per instructions in farm policy manual. Helps farm assistants to understand factors that affect milk quality, hygienic milking and mastitis control procedures. Cleans and maintains the milking plant and farm dairy equipment, and carries out hygiene inspections as per instructed in on farm policy manual. Moves and handles animals safely, identifies and diagnoses animal health issues, and assists with treatments and prevention in line with farm policy. Records and maintains all herd health treatments and events according to on-farm policy or dairy company policy, as per advised by manager. Observes, records and reports on cows preparing to calve, and calves’ cows in line with farm policy. Moves, handles and rears calves, identifies and diagnoses calving-related health issues. Understands the mating management policy for the farm. Recognizes cows on heat, and records as per policy. Diagnoses and assists with treatment of breeding related health issues. Diagnoses and assists with treatment of breeding related health issues. Observes, identifies and manages pasture/crop weeds, or reports these to appropriate team member as advised. Knows the crops on farm, sets appropriate feeding allocations, and is aware of associated animal health issues with crop feeding. Understands the on-farm feed policy, can calculate pasture and supplement requirements and set correct feeding levels. Recognizes and understands pasture quality, pasture covers and appropriate residuals, and implements best practice to maintain quality and avoid pasture damage. Feeds out supplements as advised ensuring there is minimal wastage, and is aware of associated feed health issues. Understands how the farms dairy effluent systems operate and how effluent affects the on-farm environment. Is aware of regional council requirements and their responsibilities to comply with these. Understands the farm environment plan and associated responsibilities. Follows farm policy to achieve best nutrient management practice. Understands regulations around land management and ensures their practice complies with these. Is learning how to use agrichemicals and fertilizers, safely and correctly. Understands regional council requirements around water use, and implements steps to achieve efficient water use in the farm dairy as advised in farm policy manual. Understands what their potential career path looks like and the skills required to get there. Actively looks for and considers opportunities to grow skills and take the next step. Understands own rights around employment agreements, minimum wage requirements, leave and accommodation, and how to communicate any issues to managers. Models the values and behaviors of a good workplace culture, through leading by example. Understands obligations around their own time management, and can prioritize work tasks. Safely erects and maintains both permanent and non-permanent electric and non-electric fences, as directed. Sets up, operates, and maintains the irrigation system according to workplace procedures and consents. Is beginning to problem-solve technological issues, and demonstrate initiative in using new technologies and data for insights and decision making. Operates farm vehicles and machinery in accordance with safety and regulatory obligations, and knows strategies to avoid hazards and biosecurity risks. Knows how to maintain good health on-farm, understands health and safety compliance requirements. Identifies hazards, understands safety procedures, and demonstrates safe on-farm work practices. Reports near misses and accidents in the relevant registers provided at induction. Identifies hazards, understands safety procedures, and demonstrates safe on-farm work practices. Reports near misses and accidents in the relevant registers provided at induction. Knows how to safely operate and maintain equipment. Manages their general wellbeing using self-awareness, seeking support from farm team as required. Is aware of nutritional, physical, emotional and social needs. Models good health, safety and wellbeing behaviors to juniors, and communicates any issues. Must be able to drive a tractor and be able to legally drive in NZ. Must be able to detect mastitis and treat lame cows. Accommodation is available. 28 day cycle: 7on/2off, 7/2 7/3, with regular time off. Must have at least 6 months dairy farm experience. Must have a NZ Certificate of Primary ITO Level 2. Shed Type: 40 Aside Herringbone. $29.66/hourly rate. Farm Size (ha): 185. Peak Herd Size (cows): 320. Typical On-farm Staff: 3. Position Start Date: 23/01/2026. Accommodation available: Accommodation is available. Hour Type: week. Average Hours Per week: 40. Roster: By negotiation. Remuneration paid by: Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly.

We are seeking a Herd Manager for a 400-cow farm located in the Auroa area, milking through a 44 Bail Rotary shed. The ideal candidate will either have at least 2 years of dairy farm experience or hold a Level 4 qualification in Agriculture or Farming. You'll have a range of duties to keep you busy, interested and developing including: - Milking and monitoring milk quality, - stock handling and feeding (feed mgt), - fencing, weed control, - calving, calf rearing, - shed maintenance & preparation, - tractor operation for feeding out, baling, mowing and silage - monitoring, recording and maintaining animal health - and other general farm duties. Weekly hours are a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40. 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 the agreed overtime rate of $33.56. The schedule may vary but generally work hours are between 6am and go through 5pm with meal and rest breaks; Roster will be 6 days on, 1 day off during calving season and 12 days on, 2 days off for the rest of the year. Wage is up to $33.56 per hour, subject to experience. Candidates must either have previous dairy farming experience or hold a Level 4 qualification in Agriculture or Farming and 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 - have at least a restricted driver licence 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).