Herd Manager (Otautau) 3454ST

We are seeking an experienced farm worker to work as a Herd Manager on a 500-cow farm in the Otautau area, milking through a 28 Aside Herringbone shed. The ideal candidate will have at least 12+ months of dairy farming experience or hold a Level 4 NZQA-equivalent qualification in Agriculture/Farming.

You'll have a range of duties to keep you busy, interested and developing including:

- Milking and monitoring milk quality,

- 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, with an average of 50 and a maximum of 60. 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 but generally work hours are between 4am and go through 6pm with meal and rest breaks; Roster will be 4 days on, 1 day off followed by 7 days on, 2 days off throughout the year.

Wage ranges from $29.00 to $34.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Candidates must have either previous dairy farming experience or a Level 4 NZQA-equivalent qualification in Agriculture/Farming 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).