Southland - New Zealand / Fixed Term - Farm Assistant

We are Hamish and Emma Day based in Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand.

We are looking for 1 person for a 2-3 month placement on our farms over our busy period of spring/calving August-September in New Zealand.

The roster would be a 6 on 1 off roster both people would have the same day off so could suit a couple. One person will be on each farm unit.

We have done this every year and it's great to have an extra set of hands during this time.

This is a part of Dairytime Ltd a Contract Milking business that runs two farms side by side and are 10 mins outside Invercargill, that are run to a very high standard. Invercargill is a great city and has a rural feel while having everything your may need. with lots of great cafes, resturants, supermarkets, sporting opportunities, a beautiful beach, Nightcaps/winton 'Young Farmers' and even Waxy's Irish pub.

We run 2 x 700 cow dairy farms in Mabel Bush, Southland, New Zealand for Premier Dairies Ltd. 

Each Farm is 220Ha Effective, running a System 4, Producing 730,000MS+ Total over the 2 units. Each farm has 3 x full time staff and also the Contact Milkers overseeing and managing both properties. We currently have a team of 6 over both farms all from the Philippines who have all been with us  between 7-3 Years.

Mabel Bush farm runs 2 herds through a 50 aside herringbone cowshed with circular yard, ACR’s + Protrac and Allflex collars on all stock.

Sinclair farm runs 2 herds through a 30/30 twinpit Herringbone cowshed with circular yard, ACR’s + Protrac and Allflex collars on all stock.

All young stock are on farm until Nov/Dec when they are 100kg's which are reared by the Contract Milker.

Experience in Dairy would be needed and a great attitude is a must.

Experience needed: Milking cows, Calving cows, Ability to identify/treat stock and lame cows if needed, Keep and maintain records, Weed control. Have the ability to drive 2 and 4 wheeled motorbikes. Able to take direction when required and able to work efficiently to get work on farm done, Able to lift between 20-40Kg Safely as there will be some heavy lifting of calves into trailers and milk buckets etc during this period.

Expenience preferred but not needed: Tractor driving, Mowing, Feeding out

We are looking for someone that has high standards when it comes to looking after the property, gear and stock and improving the standards of the farm. Also someone that has high standards around milk quality. 

This may suit a couple that is looking for a working holiday as there are options to have the same time off and one person work on each farm. It is our busy period on the farm as we will be calving 1450 Cows within 2 months. 

Both farms have large calving pads and one also has a herd home which is by the calving pad which is used for feeding.

No Criminal Convictions, Smoking, Drugs, 

To apply you will need a CV with 2 Referees, Be eligible to work in New Zealand on a working holiday visa. 

Or if you want more information get in touch. Happy to have a chat about the farms and jobs on offer. 

Please email [email protected] to apply and for more information

In previous seasons we have employed Irish looking to come to NZ for work experience so can provide contacts also if you wish to chat about their experience on our farms here in NZ. We would have accommodation available for you on farm which would be furnished.

There is a huge amount of Irish come here during the season both for dairy farming and contracting so there is a very good social scene. We have also a relationship with the local contractors so if your interested in doing a split job share option with them this can be arranged (farming then contracting). 

Kind Regards 
Hamish and Emma Day - Dairytime Ltd