Herd Manager (Patea) WAI0245

$78,000 yearly

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced farm worker to work as a Herd Manager on a 490-cow farm,  located in the Hawera area, milking through a 42 Bale Rotary shed. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of dairy farming experience or hold at least a Level 4 qualification in Farming/Agriculture.

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

  • Milking and monitoring milk quality,
  • training junior staff, where applicable
  • 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 40 and a maximum of 50.

The schedule may vary but generally work hours are between 4:30am and go through 5:30pm with meal and rest breaks; Roster will be 12 days on, 2 days off for during calving season then 11 days/on, 3 days off for the remainder of the year.

Remuneration is $78000 per annum.

Candidates must either have previous dairy farming experience or hold at least a Level 4 qualification in Farming/Agriculture 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
  • have at least a restricted driver licence

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).

Farm Size (ha)

150

Peak Herd Size (cows)

490

Typical On-farm Staff

2

Position Start Date

04/09/2026

Accommodation available

A solo 3-bedroom house is included. No pets or smoking/vaping allowed in the accommodation. Rent will be deducted from your wages. Employee will be responsible for power/internet costs.

Hour Type

week

Average Hours Per week

45

Roster

Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off

Remuneration paid by

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

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

$78,000