Herd Manager

Job Description

Are you passionate about dairy farming and looking for an opportunity to grow in a supportive, family-oriented environment? We are a high-performing, family-owned dairy farm near Dunedin Airport, seeking an experienced, motivated, and enthusiastic herd manager to join our team.

 

### About Us:

We operate a 580-cow, system 3 dairy farm and are in the top 10% of milk producers in the country.

Our focus is on maximising production, maintaining high standards of animal health, and operating efficiently. We milk in a 40-a-side herringbone cowshed with ACRs and ProTrack, and we use Allflex collars to monitor herd performance.

Our team consists of three full-time staff, myself (contract milker) and the farm owner.

 ### Key Responsibilities:

 **Cow Shed Operations:** Assist in running the cowshed to the highest standard, ensuring cows are milked efficiently to maximise milk production and the plant is maintained to enable a non-interrupted milking.

-**Animal Health:** Identify lameness, monitor herd health, and assist with all aspects of animal care.

 **Effluent Management:** Assist with effluent systems in line with farm requirements.

**Grazing Rotation:** Assist and rotate grazing for in-milk cows to optimise pasture utilisation.

 **Machinery Operation:** Operate farm machinery as needed to ensure smooth farm operations.

 **Team Work :** Maintain a positive and productive working environment.

 ### What We Offer:

-**Competitive Salary** with monthly bonus payments to reward your commitment and performance.

 **Roster:** 8 on, 4 off rotating roster, providing work-life balance throughout the year.

**Accommodation:** A near-new 3-bedroom home with a double garage located on the farm.

 **Great Team Environment:** Work closely with a supportive team and owners who are involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm.

 **Opportunities for Growth:** We value employees who are keen to grow and develop their skills in dairy farming.

 ### We Are Looking For:

- A strong background in dairy farming with the ability to run a cowshed efficiently and effectively.

- A commitment to high standards of animal health and production.

- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

- Someone who is reliable, honest, and enthusiastic about dairy farming.

- Previous experience in machinery operation is essential.

- You must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

 ### To Apply:

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding role in a high-performance dairy farming environment, we would love to hear from you! Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’d be a great fit for this role.

Please note we do NOT hold visa employer accreditation. 

 

Farm Size (ha)

242

Peak Herd Size (cows)

580

Typical On-farm Staff

3 fulltime + Contract Milker and Farm Owner

Position Start Date

07/07/2025

Accommodation available

1 year old 3 bedroom house with double garage on farm

Hour Type

week

Average Hours Per week

45

Roster

By negotiation

Remuneration paid by

Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

Remuneration if Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

80000