Go Dairy
Are you thinking of a career in the Dairy Farm Industry?
The dairy farm industry is a major employer offering a wide range of career options. Employers are looking for people with a good attitudes that are keen and willing to learn.
If you are considering a dairy career then we are here to help! We understand the industry and what it takes to get off to the right start and make a successful transition to your new career! Our aim is to help new entrants be successful and stay in the industry long term, so that the industry gains the reputation of being a great place to be!
We have some key ways of achieving this:
- Providing realistic expectations of a life and career in the dairy industry.
- Pre-employment training to build skills, and confidence so that you can add value from the day you start employment.
- Organizing interviews for you with potential employers and providing the necessary information you need to make a decision.
- Placement with an employer offering good employment conditions
- Support and training during your first year
We run our pre-employment courses from January – June which is outside the busy spring period, so if you are interested, contact us.
Dairy Farming offers the opportunity, to everyone, to start from nothing and work their way up. Your first year will be working as a Milk Harvester or Farm Assistant as you learn the ropes. Progression follows if you prove yourself reliable, committed, and have built up the required skills. We would expect a motivated career-changer to be able to progress to a herd manager on the farm they started on within 12 months. Farm management can follow in as little as another 2-3 years.
Common positions found within the Dairy Industry:
Milk Harvester – Often found on larger farms. This role assists with milking and would have the responsibility for assisting with milk quality, shed hygiene etc. They may have the middle of the day free.
Farm Assistant - assists the farm management team in the day-to-day running of the farm, which can include milking and cleaning milking equipment, animal care such as calving and rearing claves, operating farm machinery and general maintenance.
Frequently asked Questions
If you like working outdoors then working on a dairy farm can be an exciting career path if you are the right person.
| What I Want Checklist | Not Important | Good to have | Very Important |
|---|---|---|---|
| I want to work outdoors | |||
| I want to work with other People | |||
| I want to work with Animals | |||
| I want to work with machinery | |||
| I would prefer to work on my own | |||
| I am looking for career advancements | |||
| I want to build my own business | |||
| I aim to buy my own farm | |||
| Others: | |||
If you have lots of marks in the “good to have” and “very important” columns then the dairy industry is the place for you!
What are the hours really like?
The hours of work will differ from farm to farm. It will depend on the size of the farm, the number of other staff employed, the number of seasonal jobs. You should expect to work longer hours in the spring over the calving period. For example, you may average 65hrs/week over August – September; 55hrs/week from October – November; 50hrs/week from December – February; 45hrs/week from March – May and 40hrs/week from June – July.
All employers who we work with agree to using an annualized hours agreement which means that you get paid for an average of 50hrs/week. If however, you work more than this on average you get paid overtime. We believe in fair effort – fair reward.
A roster system is usually in place, ie. Six days on, two days off or eleven days on, three days off. The minimum roster which we feel is acceptable is 12 days on, two days off and this is usually only applicable on farms milking less than 500 cows. You may however work 6 days on, 1 day off during the busy calving season.
How much time do I really get off?
Again this depends on the farm and roster system that is in use. You would need to clarify this prior to accepting your job and whether it changes during calving to the dry period or regular milking season. After 12 months you are entitled to 4 weeks paid annual leave, but many employers will give some of this during the first 12 months.
Do I have to move farms every year?
It has become common for employees to move from farm to farm each year but you do not necessarily have to do this. It is better if you are able to stay with the same employer for at least 2 years so you can solidify the experience you have gained in the first year without having to learn a new farming system. This also helps you gain confidence in your abilities and very importantly a good solid reference which will assist you gaining a higher position.
What experience do I need?
No experience is required if starting in an entry-level position on a farm. It is very important that you have a good attitude and willingness to learn. Discuss with your employer what you wish to learn so you can be sure to get the training required to help you succeed.
What are the pay levels?
The range in salary within the dairy industry varies considerably depending on your experience and the responsibilities involved in the job. The dairy industry also tends to provide benefits other than wages or a salary, ie. accommodation, meat, milk etc.
Starting positions that we offer range from $30 000 - $35 000p.a. plus accommodation which is a non-cash benefit which is taxable.
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Code Of Ethics Possible Career Paths Succession path in dairy industry Are you ready to be a Herd manager yet?
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