The Real World

Working her way up!

“I love being outside. And I just love animals too."

“I work every second weekend. We don’t do as much work then, it’s real cruisy.”

Jessica Judd first became interested in farming when she started dairying part-time for her neighbour. She went on to work for another neighbour, now her employer, and is currently in the middle of her Level 4 Dairy Farming Course.

It’s no wonder she’s attracted to farming, as both her grandfathers are dairy farmers!

Jessica lives on-farm with her employers and stays in town, with her parents, during her time off. So what’s it like living with your boss?

“I have my own little apartment with a bathroom and kitchen, and I eat with the family,” Jessica says. “I consider my employees my family. We’re not related but I’ve known them since I was 12 years old. Their youngest son is like my brother.”

As with all dairy farms, the busiest time of year for Jessica is during calving. At the moment she’s on a 16 hour milking rotation, which means she milks the cows once one day and twice the next day.

Yet, when it comes to socialising, Jessica doesn’t feel like she misses out.

“Sometimes I get home at about 1 o’clock but I just get up and get on with it the next morning. And since I get every second weekend off, it doesn’t really bother me.”

So what about the weekends when she has to work?

“We don’t do as much work then, it’s real cruisy.”

And the early mornings? She shrugs and says you get used to it!

She's obviously passionate about her job. When we asked her what the best part was, she told us:

“I love being outside. And I just love animals too.”

Jessica has already set her goals for the future.

“My main aim is to become a farm owner. I’m just working my way up at the moment. It’s only my first time full season.”

What advice would she give to anyone who wants to get into dairy farming?

“It’s better to have some experience, so do courses and stuff. There are heaps of courses around. If you really, really want to do it, then get out there.”