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

We require an enthusiastic person to assist us milking 550 cows in a great location 10 mins from Riversdale, Northern Southland. The successful candidate must be honest, hardworking, have the ability to work independently and alongside a successful and experienced farm manager. Duties will include controlling milking and feeding levels, pasture management, effluent management and general farm duties. The full-time position is a Herd Manager role. Guaranteed minimum of 30 hours per week. Renumeration is negotiable depending on the successful applicant's work experience and levels of responsibility at previous employment. Dairy farm experience (2 years) is required. A current NZ driver's license, a current work VISA, and a New Zealand bank account is necessary. Full or part-time work could be available for a spouse or partner. Accommodation available: A range of accommodation is available to the successful candidate from modern house to shared accommodation.

**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. 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. **Requirements** - Must be able to drive a tractor and with a valid driver's license - Must be able to detect mastitis and treat lame cows - Must have at least 2 years of dairy farm experience - A clear record, with no prior convictions, is required for this role. - A pre-employment drug test is required. **Additional Information** - Shed Type: 42 Bail Rotary - Farm Size (ha): 108 - Peak Herd Size (cows): 410 - Typical On-farm Staff: 1 - Position Start Date: 06/05/2026 - Accommodation available: Accommodation is available - Average Hours Per week: 40 - Roster: Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off - Remuneration: $62,400 annual salary

We are looking for a full time staff member to join our team who has experience in tractor driving and feeding out with large wagons. You would be in charge of feed. There are 6 full time staff and 2 casuals. Accommodation is provided and included in the package which will be a 4 bedroom home with a double garage. Fully fenced section. Wood burner, Gas Fire and heat pump in hallway. Roster System is 7 on 2 off 4 on 1 off. Sun/Mon and following Tues. Start times in peak milking is 3.30am. This farm has split calving with approximately 500 in the autumn and 1100 in the spring. Drivers License Required Farm Size (ha) 560 Peak Herd Size (cows) 1550 Typical On-farm Staff 8 Position Start Date 01/06/2026 Accommodation available 4 Bedroom Home with double garage Hour Type season Average Hours Per week 45 Roster By negotiation Remuneration paid by Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

We need 2 Herd Managers to join our team for the 2026/2027 season. As a Herd Manager, you must have a natural love for animals and all agriculture. This is a full-time permanent role that requires you to work a minimum of 40 hours and a maximum of 50 hours per week at $30.00 - 33.00/hour. You must be physically fit, with a clean full driving license, criminal, and drug checks to be considered for the role. A minimum of 2 years NZ dairy work experience is required for this role. No pets are allowed in the shared accommodation. No smoking/vaping allowed in the shared accommodation and sheds. As a Herd Manager, you are expected to: - Carry out milk harvesting tasks safely, efficiently, and correctly, and assist in training new employees on correct techniques. - Assist with solving milk quality problems. - Help farm assistants to understand factors that affect milk quality, hygienic milking, and mastitis control procedures. - Clean and maintain the milking plant and farm dairy equipment and carry out hygiene inspections. - Move and handle animals safely, identify and diagnose animal health issues, and assist with treatments and prevention in line with farm policy. - Record and maintain all herd health treatments and events according to on-farm policy or dairy company policy, as advised by the manager. - Observe, record, and report on cows preparing to calve, and calves’ cows in line with farm policy. Please submit your CV with three contactable work referees.

We are seeking an experienced farm worker (2+ years) to work as a Herd Manager on a 1500-cow farm in the Balfour area. The farm is located approximately 45 minutes from Gore, milking through two Herringbone sheds. You'll have a range of duties to keep you busy, interested and developing including: - Milking and monitoring milk quality, - training junior staff, - 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 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 6 days on, 1 day off during calving season and 12 days on, 2 days off for the rest of the year. Wage is $29.66 per hour. Candidates must have previous dairy farming experience 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 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).

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.

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.

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.

Hard working team seeking a new member to join our high performing, goal-oriented farm. We are seeking someone with skills in animal health, hygienic milking practices and tractor skills. About you: minimum of 3 years New Zealand dairy farming experience and New Zealand citizenship as we are NOT accredited employers. Good communication skills and a great work ethic. If this position sounds like an opportunity you would like to explore further, please send an updated CV with at least two current references. Farm Size (ha): 226 ha Peak Herd Size (cows): 650 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 Plus Sharemilkers Accommodation available: 3 Bedroom House Average Hours Per week: 50 Plus Roster: Single rotation - 5 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly