50:50 Sharemilking Opportunity: 700 cows Split calving – North Waikato
The farm owner is seeking expressions of interest from an experienced, financially capable, and values-aligned 50:50 herd-owning sharemilker to operate a well-established dairy platform under a clear, performance-focused business arrangement.
This is an attractive opportunity for a progressive operator who wants to take genuine responsibility for day-to-day farm performance, staff leadership, animal welfare, pasture utilisation, and farm presentation while working with an owner who is committed to retaining the farm asset and establishing a strong long-term operating relationship.
· Preferred agreement structure: 50:50 herd-owning sharemilking arrangement.
· 700 cows, split calving, System 4/5.
· Initial term anticipated: 3 years, subject to final agreement and due diligence.
· Milking platform: approximately 320 effective hectares.
· Infrastructure includes a 60-bale rotary cowshed, feed pad with capacity for approximately 500 cows, farm housing, bore water supply, electric fencing, effluent ponds, and associated pumping and irrigation systems.
· Farm system: pasture-led with strategic use of PKE/blend, maize silage, grass silage, nitrogen-driven pasture response, robust effluent management and feed-pad support.
· Production direction: work toward 1,000 kgMS per effective hectare while protecting animal welfare, soil fertility, infrastructure, environmental compliance, and long-term farm value.
The farm is a substantial dairy platform with established infrastructure, clear operating standards, and a strong focus on disciplined pasture, feed, animal health, and compliance management. The current policy position is to retain the split spring/autumn calving system.
A lease block provides additional operating flexibility for the milking platform. A Runoff remains under Farm Owner control, with any sharemilker use to be negotiated separately on commercial grazing terms.
· Proven dairy farming capability and a strong record of production, pasture management, animal welfare, staff leadership, and compliance.
· Financial strength and the ability to supply and manage a suitable herd under a 50:50 herd-owning arrangement.
· A practical, proactive operator who identifies and practically resolves usual farm issues: including fencing, water, animal health, infrastructure, and staff matters.
· Excellent communication, record-keeping, health and safety, employment, environmental, and dairy company compliance practices.
· Willingness to participate in regular adviser-facilitated business review meetings, particularly during the first 12 months.
· Alignment with the farm’s preferred Friesian ‘type’ herd direction, disciplined feed management, tidy farm presentation, and long-term asset care.
· Operate within the agreed annual operating plan, feed budget, farm policy, and signed sharemilking agreement.
· Maintain strong pasture utilisation, cow condition, reproductive performance, milk quality, calf management, and animal health outcomes.
· Keep accurate records for production, pasture, supplements, fertiliser, animal health, effluent, staff, health and safety, and compliance.
· Maintain the cowshed, feed pad, races, fences, machinery, work areas, and farm presentation to a high standard.
· Work constructively with the Farm Owner, farm adviser, service providers, contractors, and dairy company representatives.
Applicants should provide a current CV, farming history, herd ownership details, financial summary or accountant-supported evidence of capacity, referees, proposed operating approach, staffing plan, housing requirements, and any questions about the farm system or agreement structure.
Shortlisted applicants should expect a formal due diligence process covering financial capability, farming performance, references, values alignment, proposed herd and staffing model, compliance capability, and fit with the agreed farm system.
For confidential enquiries and application details, contact Ron Mulder, Total Ag. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 021 958 147.