On-farm opportunities
Farm assistant
This is ideal for someone who has minimal or no dairy farming experience at all. This role involves following directions and learning the basic skills on-farm. Skills range from milking, fencing and using equipment to basic pasture management and making sure cows are generally happy and healthy.
Herd manager
Usually after one to two years experience on farm you should be ready for this role. The role of a herd manager requires a strong understanding of the basic farming skills and taking on the responsibility of looking after a herd and the duties involved with stock management.
Farm manager or senior herd manager
This role requires a clear understanding of seasonal timing of tasks and duties. Farm managers are responsible for the farm's day-to-day operation. Depending on the size of the herd, the farm manager or senior herd manager may be in charge of staff members.
Contract milking
This is a self-employed role where the farmer manages the owner’s cows and land but gets a percentage of the money earned from supplying milk to the dairy company. They are responsible for paying staff and other farm costs, depending on their contract.
Sharemilker
A sharemilker is a self-employed farmer who owns their own herd and farming equipment but leases someone’s land. Sharemilkers most commonly have a 50/50 contract. This means that the sharemilker and land owner split the profits and some of the costs between them.
Farm owners or equity managers
Farmers in both of these roles own and operate their own farm businesses.
To help prepare you for most of these on-farm careers, you can train at:
- Agriculture ITO - an industry training organisation that provides learning and skill programmes for people who want to make dairying their career.