Farm Assistant/Herd Manager (Progression Opportunity)

Herd Manager – Lye Farm (DairyNZ Research Farm) Full-time, Permanent Near Hamilton (Newstead / Ruakura) Drive-in role – no accommodation 3-week rotating roster – work every 3rd weekend DairyNZ is looking for a capable and motivated Herd Manager to join the team at Lye Farm, our indoor dairy research farm near Hamilton. This is a hands-on role where you’ll lead the day-to-day management of a 300-cow herd, while supporting on-farm research that benefits dairy farmers across New Zealand. The role includes: - Milking, feeding, animal health, mating, and calving - Maintaining high standards of animal welfare and udder health - Supporting research trials by following farm plans and protocols - Recording and working with herd and performance data - Operating and caring for modern dairy infrastructure The farm: - 30-bail rotary with automatic cow ID and in-bail feeding - Indoor housing and feeding barns - Onsite laboratory If you’re keen on a practical Herd Manager role with variety and meaning — close to Hamilton — we’d love to hear from you.

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.

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.

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

This role primarily involves helping in all aspects in running a farm milking 370 cows through two 17 aside herringbone cowsheds. The farm is run as a two herd system with each herd being milked through its own shed. The farm is located in Whitikahu, 15 minutes from Morrinsville and 20 from Hamilton. Accommodation is a recently renovated 3 bedroom farm cottage with a single garage. We Seek Someone: With At least 3 years experience. A solid base in Animal Health and Stock Handling skills. Who is comfortable milking sole-charge. The ability to take responsibility in the Sharemilkers absence. Applicants need to be in New Zealand to be considered. Please provide a CV and references though the link Below. Farm Size (ha) 141 Peak Herd Size (cows) 390 Typical On-farm Staff 2.5 Position Start Date 01/06/2026 Accommodation available 3 bedroom cottage Hour Type week Average Hours Per week 50 Roster Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off Remuneration paid by Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

Do you want to work 5 days a week and live just 10 minutes from the Hamilton suburb of Rototuna in a supportive, professional environment with a desire to develop people. 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 a person already based in NZ to work alongside us to achieve our goals. The key duties of the role are centred on caring for our herd and pastures, being: - Assisting with milking and other tasks - Accurately setting break fences - Assisting with calves during spring - Responsibility for accurate application of effluent You might be the person to fill our role if you: - are based in NZ and passionate about learning from an experienced and respected team - value integrity - have a patient, calm manner with animals - want to do a job right the first time

We are looking for a super star calf rearer to join our team for the 2026 spring calving season. We calve down 750 cows in spring and you will be solely responsible for the calves once they enter the calf sheds. This includes 150 replacements, 50 Bull calves and the rest are bobbies. Previous experience with large scale calf rearing is preferred as this is a full on role with a few steps involved within the replacements. This role can then move into relief milking and casual work from November until the end of season as we do winter calve as well, so there would be the opportunity to do autumn calf rearing plus the milkings over summer to cover for staff annual leave etc. Farm Size (ha): 210 Peak Herd Size (cows): 900 Typical On-farm Staff: 4 Position Start Date: 13/07/2026 Accommodation available: Yes, single person only accommodation Hour Type: week Average Hours Per week: Negotiable Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

Grasslands operate dairy farms approximately 20 minutes drive from the Tokoroa township. The farms comprise of 1000 cows and we have a casual relief milking position to cover staff leave etc. The farms have large modern milking facilities with 80 bail rotary platforms and are well equipped for the number of cows milked in them. Farm Size (ha): 350 Peak Herd Size (cows): 1000 Typical On-farm Staff: 5 Position Start Date: 16/02/2026 Accommodation available: There is no accommodation provided as this is a drive in position. If you are interested we would love to hear from you and discuss this further. Please contact Jodee on 027 325 3562 or send an email with your experience to jodee@grasslands.org.nz Hour Type: negotiable Roster: By negotiation Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We seek an experienced 2IC or current Farm Manager to join our team in Whakamaru on 1 June 2026. You must have a minimum of five years of New Zealand dairy farming experience, and be able to provide at least two recent employment references. As the farm owners live on the farm, this vacant role has flexibility - it could suit a 2IC or a trainee Manager or an established Farm Manager. The salary package will reflect this and also includes a nice 3 bedroom house, and a roster of 5 days on and two days off (Fridays and Saturdays) right through the season. Our farm has 700 Friesian X cows through a 50 ASHB shed with ACRs and in-shed feeding, auto teat spray and Protrack. Spring calving, system 3, usually TAD until Feb then OAD until mid-May. We foster a supportive work environment and provide opportunities for you to gain new skills and keep climbing the career ladder. We look forward to hearing from you.