Herd Manager/Experienced Farm Assistant

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 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 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 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 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).

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)

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.

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.