**Contract milking role June 2026**
**Location:** 15 km from Culverden Township, Canterbury
**Position Overview**
We are seeking a Contract Milker to join our family-owned and operated dairy business for the coming season. This role involves milking approximately 900 cows across a 274 ha irrigated platform, including responsibility for wintering of cows and adjustment/support land.
Working closely with the farm owners, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of staff, cows, pasture, irrigation, and feeding systems, ensuring the smooth running of the farm while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and milk quality.
**Key Responsibilities**
- Managing herd health, reproduction, and overall animal husbandry for a 900-cow operation
- Overseeing milking operations and maintaining shed hygiene and milk quality standards
- Managing irrigation and ensuring appropriate wintering of cows
- Conducting pasture walks and recording data using MINDA Land & Feed
- Assisting with feed budgeting and maintaining accurate feed-on-hand records, including support/adjustment land
- Employing, leading, and supervising 3 full-time staff and seasonal relief staff
- Rostering staff and ensuring efficient daily operations
- Preparing weekly farm reports and contributing to forward planning and decision-making
**Skills and Experience Required**
- Proven experience managing or assisting with large-scale dairy operations
- Strong animal health and husbandry skills, including reproductive management
- Sound knowledge of pasture management, irrigation, and feed allocation
- Good understanding of milk quality standards and shed hygiene
- Ability to accurately record data and use farm management systems such as MINDA
- Experience leading staff and managing day-to-day farm operations
- Self-motivated, reliable, well-organized, and proactive
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team
**What We Offer**
- Supportive, hands-on farm owners
- Opportunities to grow farm management and leadership capabilities
- A well-structured, well-managed dairy operation
- Competitive remuneration
**Location & Lifestyle**
The farm is located 15 km from Culverden Township, approximately 100 km north of Christchurch and 35 km south of Hanmer Springs. Culverden offers a welcoming rural community with good amenities, an active local environment, and quality preschool and school options, making it ideal for families.
**Eligibility Requirements**
- Must be legally eligible to work in New Zealand
- Full New Zealand driver’s licence required
- Strong commitment to Health & Safety and environmental best practices
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test
- The successful applicant may be subject to random drug testing at the employer’s discretion
**Recruitment Process**
Interviews will be held on-farm.
**Farm Size (ha)**: 274
**Peak Herd Size (cows)**: 900
**Typical On-farm Staff**: 3
**Position Start Date**: 01/06/2026
**Accommodation available**: Accommodation- modern 4 bedroom house with log fire, heat pump with school bus at gate
**Hour Type**: negotiable
**Average Hours Per week**: 45
**Roster**: By negotiation
**Remuneration paid by**: By Negotiation