Assistant Herd Manager

I have a small developing opportunity for a couple looking to re enter the dairy industry, extend their current dairy career or a young team looking to make a good opportunity build into a great decision. The farm is run as a system 3 unit, on the outskirts of Stratford. You will be your own boss, work to clear objectives and we will wrap around support as required. Reporting to Brendan, you will have a great opportunity to learn and develop your dairying career. If you are starting out Denise Deans who works for Brendan, will support you in establishing your business, and make sure you have good budgeting and financial decision making in place. The owners of this property live off farm, the property is flat to rolling in contour. With a good quality herringbone farm dairy, the farm is making good progress with lots of potential. Heifers are grazed off and weaners are grazed on, with a third party managing the weaner dry stock side of the business and their day to day feed management. The Contract Milker may need to help with drenching and tagging etc. Nitrogen application and all harvesting is completed by a local contractor. We need a strong cows and grass couple or lead who is passionate about moos and wanting to develop their dairy farming career. Contract will be based around 12 equal monthly instalments and a top up payment at the end of the season. This is a nice opportunity for the right person. Farm Size (ha): 80 Peak Herd Size (cows): 230 Typical On-farm Staff: 1.5 Position Start Date: 01/06/2026 Accommodation available: Older style 3 Bedroom Home. Good heating options, down a quiet road. Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: 50 Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: Per KgMS

Milking, mastitis detection, calving, tractor work, side by side experience, grass management, gentleness with cows important. Farm Size (ha): 200 hectares plus 90 hectare runoff Peak Herd Size (cows): 330 Typical On-farm Staff: 1 person calves, 1 half day, manager at peak times Position Start Date: 06/04/2026 Accommodation available: Yes Hour Type: season Average Hours Per week: 40 Roster: Single rotation - 10 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

One of our team is progressing to a more senior role after 6 years with us, so we have an opportunity for someone wanting to join a supportive team with a good history of staff retention. Milking 520 cows at Gordonton, we will achieve over 250,000 kg milksolids this season from our friendly girls who rank in the top 2% on BW. Our target for next season is to reach 260,000 kg milksolids, while achieving a 10% empty rate. Excellent pasture management, aided by the Aimer app, and a healthy well fed herd are important to us, as is sharing our knowledge with people wanting to grow. We seek people already based in NZ to work alongside us to achieve our goals. The key responsibilities of the role are: 1. Manage supplement quality and utilization so that we can achieve our goal of 500 kg MS/cow. 2. Manage animal health treatments. 3. Maintenance of our plant and equipment. 4. Assist in managing pasture to maximise quality and pasture eaten. You might be the person to fill the empty boots if you are: - someone with 2+ years experience in NZ wanting to learn from experienced and respected operators, although recent career changers may be considered. - a self motivated individual who pays attention to detail. - an individual with good stockmanship.

This Contract Milker role is for 1 June 2026. Successful applicant must have proven experience in such a role, with expertise in staff management, feed budgeting, record keeping, decision making, problem solving, and communication skills. Contract value will be negotiated to the market value and your experience. The farm is a system 4. (experience in this system is required). Very well set up farm on Hawera's town boundary, with a 50 bale rotary cowshed, in-shed feeding and feed pad and mixer wagon. We are targeting 215,000 kgms this year. Farm Size (ha): 156. Peak Herd Size (cows): 400. Typical On-farm Staff: 3. Accommodation available: 4 bedroom house on farm. Hour Type: negotiable. Average Hours Per week: By negotiation. Roster: By negotiation. Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation.

We have an exciting opportunity for a farm assistant/trainee herd manager to join our team. The farm is located in the great community of Te Pahu less than 10 minutes from Pirongia and also close to Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Raglan. We run a System 3 farm with 300 cows milked through a 36ASHB with in-shed feeding and ACR's. This position would suit someone who already has some basic farming experience and is looking to gain the knowledge and experience to take the next step in their farming career. Quality training will be provided in all aspects of farming including animal health, pasture management, farm machinery operation and fencing with introduction to feed budgets and MINDA if desired. This position could also suit someone new to the industry if they are highly motivated and keen to give all aspects of farming a go. The current owner has managed multiple farms previously up to 1000 cows of varying input levels and is keen to pass knowledge on and help people progress through the industry. We are enthusiastic about people gaining and improving industry skills and fully support off-farm training such as AGITO and attendance at local discussion groups and training days. The ideal applicant will have a positive can-do attitude and a high standard of work. We offer a competitive remuneration package including wet weather gear, gumboots, firewood and phone allowance. The roster will vary depending on the time of the season but a healthy work/life balance is considered a priority and regular time off is scheduled. The roster is negotiable to best suit the needs of the employee. To apply please send in your C.V. and a cover letter. Applicants must be currently in New Zealand with a current NZ work visa - we can not offer an accredited work visa (applications which do not meet these criteria will not be considered). The successful applicant will be required to participate in a drug test on appointment.

We are seeking an experienced, reliable and honest Dairy Farm Assistant / Milk Harvester to join our progressive, technology driven dairy operation in Midhirst. Our farm embraces modern systems including Halter, SenseHub, and Herd-i, allowing us to make data driven decisions and improve animal health, performance and efficiency. **The Role** - Milking and general shed duties - Animal health and monitoring using SenseHub - Assisting with Halter herd management - Approximately 10 milkings per fortnight, including one weekend - Average 30 hours per week This is a drive in role with flexibility built in. We value work life balance and operate a structured, organised system. **We’re Looking For Someone Who:** - Has proven dairy farming experience - Is confident around stock and machinery - Is comfortable with farm technology or willing to learn - Is punctual, honest and takes pride in their work - Can work independently and as part of a team - NZ residency or valid work visa We run a tidy, efficient operation and are looking for someone who wants to be part of a forward thinking farm. If you’re experienced and want consistent hours with good balance in a modern system, we’d like to hear from you. Please email jobs@airportfarm.co.nz with your CV and cover letter.

We are looking for a reliable milk harvester for the start of calving to the end of mating (1/8/26 - 31/12/26) to assist the contract milker during the peak season. The opportunity to go onto a casual contract after the fixed term is available to the right person. We are located 5 mins from Eltham and 10 mins from Stratford. We can offer variable hours with a minimum of 30 hours a fortnight at a minimum of $30 per hour. Higher hourly rate can be negotiated on experience. We will be milking 375 Friesian cows at peak through a 44 bail rotary with in shed feed. Key responsibilities include: - Efficiently harvesting milk - Keeping shed clean - Identifying cows with health issues - Handling stock calmly. Prior experience is preferred. Reliable transport to and from farm is necessary.

We are seeking a reliable and motivated Dairy assistant herd manager to join our team on a focused dairy farm. This is a great opportunity to be part of a supportive team environment, grow your skills and not everyday is the same. **About the Role:** You will assist with the day-to-day running of the farm, working alongside the farm manager and 2ic to maintain high standards of production, animal welfare, farm presentation, health and safety and staff well being. **Key Responsibilities:** - Milking and maintaining shed hygiene - Monitoring herd health and reporting issues - Feeding and shifting stock - Assisting during calving - Effluent management - Operating farm machinery where required inc feeding out and loading - Have pride in your work **Roster:** This position operates on a 11/3 roster August- November, 5 /2 December- July, providing a good balance of work and regular time off. **What We’re Looking For:** - Previous dairy farming experience - two years experience required - Positive attitude, reliability, and strong work ethic - Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weather - Ability to work both independently and as part of a team - Good understanding of animal welfare and health & safety practices - Driver’s licence **What We Offer:** - Competitive pay package based on experience - Supportive team environment - Ongoing training and development opportunities - Fun enjoyable work environment - Accommodation available on farm 3 bedroom modern home - Work to life balance

Role readvertised due to change in circumstances of candidate. One of our Drystock Managers has made the decision to go dairy farming so we are looking for a Dairy Support Manager who will support the Dairy Manager, covering time off for the dairy team as well as work alongside the other Drystock Manager. The role includes; - Regular cover for the dairy team during calving & mating (mid July to mid November) - Milking 580 cows at peak through a 36ashb - Getting in cows and calves - Feeding out silage and maize (no feed pad) - Putting up and taking down break fences - Diagnosing and treating animal health issues including mastitis and lameness - Reactive and planned maintenance Drystock management (all dairy youngstock, carry over cows, rearing and finishing beef) - Feeding out silage - Putting up and taking down break fences (all mobs get daily breaks) - Drenching and vaccinating stock - Reactive and planned maintenance - Diagnosing and treating animal health issues in a timely manner The ideal candidate will; - Have a minimum of three years milking cows and diagnosing and treating health issues in dairy cattle - Be physically fit and able to walk up and down hills putting up break fences for drystock - Be confident on a two wheeler (use of quad bikes on drystock not permitted) - Be able to confidently operate a tractor with implements - Be able to identify and fix water leaks and power shorts - Be self motivated and able to work alone as well as be part of a team - Be willing to change the day's plan when something pops up that needs urgent attention, either on the drystock unit or the dairy unit - Demonstrate empathy for cows and calves - Be confident working in the yards with large cattle (steers and bulls) - Be able to accurately calculate pasture cover and area to ensure all animals are adequately fed every day The farm is in zone for Korakonui School (years 0-8). There is a bus at the corner 4km away for Korakonui School, Te Awamutu Intermediate and Te Awamutu College. Dogs are not required for this role and are not allowed on farm. We also have a strict no children on farm policy for health and safety reasons. Please include a CV and cover letter with your application and three recent references. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Farm Size (ha): 180 Peak Herd Size (cows): 580 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 Position Start Date: 01/06/2026 Accommodation available: Three bedroom or four bedroom house available depending on family situation Hour Type: week Average Hours Per week: 45 Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We are looking for a second-in-charge (2IC)/contractor with experience for the upcoming season. This is a high-input, spring calving farm with approximately 340 cows. Facilities include a 35-bale rotary, Allflex collars, herd homes, and a mixer wagon. Tractor skills are essential, and candidates should be comfortable working in the cowshed. The role comes with a smaller three-bedroom house, and there may be an opportunity to progress into contract milking for the right person. The farm is located in the Kaimiro/Inglewood area, with a school bus route nearby. ph/txt 021878548 send cv to chapmanchris305@gmail.com Farm Size (ha) 132 Peak Herd Size (cows) 300-380 Typical On-farm Staff 2 Position Start Date 01/06/2026 Accommodation available smaller 3 bedroom Hour Type negotiable Average Hours Per week 60 Roster Single rotation - 12 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by By Negotiation