Responsibility Area/Tasks/Duties
• Take full responsibility for the milking process, including hygiene and efficiency.
• Train, supervise, and support milking staff to ensure smooth and timely operations.
• Maintain and enhance milk quality standards, and proactively resolve any quality issues.
• Plan and implement seasonal and daily feeding programmes that meet animal needs and support farm profitability.
• Monitor on-farm feed supply consistently and ensure records are kept via the farm diary and Dairy Diary App.
• Ensure cow condition does not fall below 3.5 Body Condition Score at any time.
• Ensure pasture cover is maintained at a minimum of 2000 kgDM/ha as of June 1.
• Manage deviations from feed plans as needed, making timely and effective decisions.
• Regularly monitor herd health through observation and tests.
• Treat minor health issues and coordinate with veterinarians for advanced treatments.
• Maintain accurate animal health treatment records.
• Actively manage disease prevention strategies, including reproductive health and calving assistance.
• Plan and execute the mating programme with the goal of achieving a 95% submission rate (with CIDRs if needed).
• Maintain a less than 8% empty rate in the herd after a 15-week mating period.
• Report regularly to the Farm Manager and provide updates to the Farm Owner upon request.
• Submit reports on: o Cow performance and production metrics o Milk quality and quantity o Feed cover status o Equipment repairs and maintenance o Supply inventory and procurement needs
• Identify and repair water leaks immediately.
• Undertake general fencing, weed/pest control, and race and garden maintenance.
• Conduct daily checks and routine servicing of all farm equipment.
• Ensure machinery, tools, and vehicles are cleaned, oiled, stored correctly, and well-maintained.
• Maintain and operate the effluent system in full compliance with Waikato Regional Council environmental standards.
• Immediately report any effluent or environmental system failures to the Farm Owner.
• Ensure all staff follow health and safety procedures and policies at all times.
• Proactively manage and report hazards, accidents, and biosecurity risks.
• Supervise and train junior and relief staff, ensuring continuity and quality of farm operations in your absence.
• Promote a positive team culture and encourage compliance with operational best practices.
• Maintain a tidy and safe working environment.
• Dispose of waste responsibly.
• Ensure tools and equipment are returned to their correct locations after use.
• Annually water blast all farm buildings to maintain hygiene and presentation.
• Contribute to maintaining a well-kept home and section, reflecting pride in the farm environment.
Skills Required: (Training available if needed)
• Conduct yourself in a professional manner with employers, other staff and farm visitors.
• Ability to communicate with Owners and staff, it is necessary to work as a team, sharing equipment and ideas.
• Ability to detect and record cows in heat.
• Ability to detect and record cows and young stock that have mastitis or are sick.
• Ability to operate motorbike, tractor and other machinery competently.
Ability to estimate pasture Dry Matter.