Jobs

Dairying is an energetic and exciting industry. Successful dairy farmers like any successful career people, are prepared to put the effort into their job. For people with commitment and a desire to succeed, a career in dairy farming is an option, which can be extremely satisfying, enjoyable and financially rewarding.

Roles in Dairying

There are many roles within the industry itself with the career options and the progression through these roles often taken in a series of steps. The career options on farm include:

Farm Assistant

This entry-level role is about following directions and learning the basic skills. This is the place where most people will start their career within the dairy industry. It allows an employee to be exposed to most tasks conducted on the farm, so learning is at an optimum.

Herd Manager

This role requires employees to demonstrate a strong understanding of the basic skills, for example, milking, animal health and feeding stock. This role requires the individual to take some responsibility for the cows and tasks within their control.

Assistant Herd Manager

The position where most overseas employees start. It is a skilled position requiring a degree/diploma in agriculture and 6 months dairy experience or 2 years dairy experience as a minimum. The role is to work alongside the herd manager or manager and be able to do their duties when they are not on farm. This requires good tractor skills, the ability to identify and treat animal health problems, run the shed including both plant and vat washes.

Farm Manager

A high degree of competence in the basic skills is required to be a successful farm manager. This role also requires the individual to have a very clear understanding of the seasonal timing of tasks and duties. The role often has the responsibility for the day-to-day physical farm operations and may include responsibility for other staff employed on farm.

Operations Manager

This role requires an individual to have the ability to participate in both the development and then the implementation of the farms annual plans. This role also is likely to include full responsibility for all staff along with ensuring the farm's physical and sometimes financial performance.

Contract Milker

This is a self-employed role where the contractor is paid based on the quantity of milk produced. They are responsible for meeting some expenditure under their control and supply some plant or equipment. Their responsibilities are outcome based where they are required to meet the farm goals and objectives.

Variable Order Sharemilker

The sharemilking system is quite unique to New Zealand. About 40% of our dairy farms operate using the structure of sharemilking. In variable order sharemilking (sometimes called lower order sharemilking) the farm owner owns the herd. This is a self-employed role where the contractor is paid based on the quantity of milk produced.

50/50 Sharemilker

This is a self-employed role, where the Sharemilker owns the herd. They receive a percentage of the milk income, generally 50% and all stock income.

Equity Manager and Farm Owner

These roles both have a financial investment in the entire business and therefore input into all aspects of the business operation.

There are also some part-time roles found on farm:

Relief Milking

This role often has the responsibility for milking the cows and cleaning the yard and the plant after milking. Relief milkers are usually engaged on farm when other staff have days off or are on holiday.

Milk Harvester

This role centres also on the milking of cows and cleaning of the yard and plant. It often offers flexibility, particularly in larger farm operations where there is a requirement for roles designed specifically for milking only.

Calf Rearing

This is quite a specialist part time role, where during the busy calving period part-time calf rearers are engaged to feed and care for the calves on the farm. Most dairy farms hand-rear calves and keep around 25% of calves born as replacements for their herd.

Progression through the different steps is dependent on the motivation and expertise of individuals. In some cases this may require a shift to another farm to take on more responsibilities. Progression to the self-employed roles will require not only skill and expertise but also some capital input. Greener Horizons Workforce seeks to work with employees to provide the skills and career opportunities to progress through the industry with Good Employers.