Drive-in Calf Rearer 2026-2027

**Job Description** Carries out milk harvesting tasks safely, efficiently, and correctly, and assists in training new employees on correct techniques. Assists with solving milk quality problems, as per instructions in farm policy manual. Helps farm assistants to understand factors that affect milk quality, hygienic milking and mastitis control procedures. Cleans and maintains the milking plant and farm dairy equipment, and carries out hygiene inspections as per instructed in on farm policy manual. Moves and handles animals safely, identifies and diagnoses animal health issues, and assists with treatments and prevention in line with farm policy. Records and maintains all herd health treatments and events according to on-farm policy or dairy company policy, as per advised by manager. Observes, records and reports on cows preparing to calve, and calves’ cows in line with farm policy. Moves, handles and rears calves, identifies and diagnoses calving-related health issues. Understands the mating management policy for the farm. Recognizes cows on heat, and records as per policy. Diagnoses and assists with treatment of breeding related health issues. Diagnoses and assists with treatment of breeding related health issues. Observes, identifies and manages pasture/crop weeds, or reports these to appropriate team member as advised. Knows the crops on farm, sets appropriate feeding allocations, and is aware of associated animal health issues with crop feeding. Understands the on-farm feed policy, can calculate pasture and supplement requirements and set correct feeding levels. Recognizes and understands pasture quality, pasture covers and appropriate residuals, and implements best practice to maintain quality and avoid pasture damage. Feeds out supplements as advised ensuring there is minimal wastage, and is aware of associated feed health issues. Understands how the farms dairy effluent systems operate and how effluent affects the on-farm environment. Is aware of regional council requirements and their responsibilities to comply with these. Understands the farm environment plan and associated responsibilities. Follows farm policy to achieve best nutrient management practice. Understands regulations around land management and ensures their practice complies with these. Is learning how to use agrichemicals and fertilizers, safely and correctly. Understands regional council requirements around water use, and implements steps to achieve efficient water use in the farm dairy as advised in farm policy manual. Understands what their potential career path looks like and the skills required to get there. Actively looks for and considers opportunities to grow skills and take the next step. Understands own rights around employment agreements, minimum wage requirements, leave and accommodation, and how to communicate any issues to managers. Models the values and behaviors of a good workplace culture, through leading by example. Understands obligations around their own time management, and can prioritize work tasks. Safely erects and maintains both permanent and non-permanent electric and non-electric fences, as directed. Sets up, operates, and maintains the irrigation system according to workplace procedures and consents. Is beginning to problem-solve technological issues, and demonstrate initiative in using new technologies and data for insights and decision making. Operates farm vehicles and machinery in accordance with safety and regulatory obligations, and knows strategies to avoid hazards and biosecurity risks. Knows how to maintain good health on-farm, understands health and safety compliance requirements. Identifies hazards, understands safety procedures, and demonstrates safe on-farm work practices. Reports near misses and accidents in the relevant registers provided at induction. Knows how to safely operate and maintain equipment. Manages their general wellbeing using self-awareness, seeking support from farm team as required. Is aware of nutritional, physical, emotional and social needs. Models good health, safety and wellbeing behaviors to juniors, and communicates any issues. **Requirements** - Must be able to drive a tractor and with a valid driver's license - Must be able to detect mastitis and treat lame cows - Must have at least 2 years of dairy farm experience - A clear record, with no prior convictions, is required for this role. - A pre-employment drug test is required. **Additional Information** - Shed Type: 42 Bail Rotary - Farm Size (ha): 108 - Peak Herd Size (cows): 410 - Typical On-farm Staff: 1 - Position Start Date: 06/05/2026 - Accommodation available: Accommodation is available - Average Hours Per week: 40 - Roster: Single rotation - 11 Days on / 3 days Off - Remuneration: $62,400 annual salary

We are looking for a full time staff member to join our team who has experience in tractor driving and feeding out with large wagons. You would be in charge of feed. There are 6 full time staff and 2 casuals. Accommodation is provided and included in the package which will be a 4 bedroom home with a double garage. Fully fenced section. Wood burner, Gas Fire and heat pump in hallway. Roster System is 7 on 2 off 4 on 1 off. Sun/Mon and following Tues. Start times in peak milking is 3.30am. This farm has split calving with approximately 500 in the autumn and 1100 in the spring. Drivers License Required Farm Size (ha) 560 Peak Herd Size (cows) 1550 Typical On-farm Staff 8 Position Start Date 01/06/2026 Accommodation available 4 Bedroom Home with double garage Hour Type season Average Hours Per week 45 Roster By negotiation Remuneration paid by Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits)

**Job Description** **Milking:** Assists in efficient and hygienic milking routine. Follows procedure to produce high quality milk. Carries out simple milk harvesting tasks as directed, and is developing correct skills to milk. **Animals:** Assists in safe handling of animals, reports any health and welfare issues as per farm policy. Assists with moving and handling animals safely, and observes and reports on wellbeing of all classes of stock. **Feed:** Controls weeds. Sets break fences and feeds out as directed. Assists with pasture and crop weed control, and is learning about feed allocations and health issues associated with crops. **Machine, vehicles and technology:** Safely uses and maintains vehicles on farm as directed by on farm policy. **People:** Works well with others, building a strong team culture. Is aware of the opportunities available to them in their personal and career goals, and is beginning to look for opportunities to move to the next level in their career. **Health, safety and wellbeing:** Involved in building a health, safety and wellbeing culture. Models farms H, S & W policy. Must be able to drive a tractor and with a valid driver's license. Must be able to detect mastitis and treat lame cows. Must have at least 8 months of dairy farm experience. A clear record, with no prior convictions, is required for this role. A pre-employment drug test is required. **Shed Type:** 45 ACR Herringbone **Farm Size (ha):** 223 **Peak Herd Size (cows):** 700 **Accommodation available:** Shared accommodation is available **Hour Type:** week **Average Hours Per week:** 40 **Roster:** Single rotation - 5 Days on / 2 days Off **Remuneration:** $52,500 annual salary

We are looking for a person for a full time position to carry out general farm work due to a restructure of roles on our dairy farm. Duties would include milking in a rotary shed, feeding calves and young stock at nearby runoff and a range of other farm work and maintenance jobs. Weekends on, milking only outside of calving period. Some experience preferred, 15 minutes south of Palmerston North. Must have driver's license and be currently living in New Zealand as we are not accredited employers for overseas immigrants. No dogs permitted. Farm Size (ha): 110 Peak Herd Size (cows): 380 Typical On-farm Staff: 2 -3 Position Start Date: 02/06/2026 Accommodation available: Well maintained house on farm with garage Hour Type: negotiable Average Hours Per week: variable up to 50 Roster: Single rotation - 12 Days on / 2 days Off Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Calf Rearer to join our team from July to November. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in exceptional animal care. Farm Details: - Calving 800 cows - Rearing 220 dairy replacements - Rearing 230 beef calves - Automated calf-rearing system in operation Key Responsibilities: - Manage colostrum to the highest standard - Tube calves as required - Train calves to use automated feeders - Maintain exceptional animal husbandry practices - Administer animal health treatments as required - Be able to navigate the calf feeder computer system to identify faults, trends and any other functionality - Keep up-to-date records - Maintain high hygiene standards in all calf sheds - Operate a side-by-side vehicle safely Applicants must have: - A minimum of work experience running an automated calf rearing system for a whole season - Strong experience working with newborn calves, including adequate high-quality colostrum intake from birth Skills and Attributes: - Able to work independently and as part of a team - An excellent communicator - Physically fit - Reliable, motivated and proactive - Detail-oriented with strong observational skills - Drug-free, pre-employment drug testing will be completed Farm Size (ha): 340 Peak Herd Size (cows): 800 Accommodation available: One bedroom studio unit accommodation is available Average Hours Per week: 40 hours Roster: Single rotation - 7 Days on / 2 days Off

Calf rearer required - fixed term position. Minimum of 2 years experience, must be skilled in identifying health issues early, tubing calves with colostrum and administering treatments. An eye for detail and a stickler for keeping routine. Position runs from August 1 to January 31. Farm Size: 250 ha. Peak Herd Size: 775 cows. Typical On-farm Staff: 3.5. Average Hours Per week: 50. Roster: By negotiation. Remuneration: Total Package Value of $35,000.

We are on the hunt for a reliable and motivated casual worker who would be interested in an array of on farm duties on our beef farm. This could include but is not limited to: - Stock work - Animal health treatments - Setting up fences - Driving 2 & 4 wheel motorbikes - Feeding out to stock The role is 5 days per week and likely to be about 30 hours per week. Start date is negotiable so please apply now as we will interview applicants as they apply. Ideally the applicant will have a passion for the agriculture sector and a positive can do attitude, with some farming experience. It is important you can communicate and work well with others. It is a busy environment with a lot going on so someone who is able to implement common sense, exceptional time management and commitment to health and safety are at the forefront of what we are looking for. Please phone Nick on 0272 431 333 for further information and to discuss your application.

We have 3 positions available for calf rearers near Rangiora. We have 1300 cows and rear 350 replacements in total over 2 farms. The focus is on attention to detail and healthy replacement and bobby calves as well as running an efficient calf rearing system. All roles require a strong, physically capable person able to handle calves. The farms are 1km from Rangiora. Accommodation is available for all positions if required. 1. Lead calf rearer – this person will be responsible for the calf rearing team and be involved with planning with the farm manager. This role requires proven experience with calf rearing and an ability to work with staff. The role is fulltime from late July to late September, and then hours reducing until all the calves are weaned in early December. 2. Calf rearing 2ic – this role will be to support the lead calf rearer and maintain high standards. This is a fulltime position from late July to late September. Some calf rearing experience preferred. 3. Assistant calf rearer. – this person will be physically capable and help with the peak of calving. No experience needed. The role is from 1st August to 10th September. Please state which position you are applying for.

We are looking for a drive-in, full time calf rearer, to work alongside a part-timer and the permanent staff. Rearing approximately 80 heifer replacements, with the rest beef calves which will leave the farm at 4-6 days old. Due to the scale of the operation, experience would be preferred. Hours can be negotiated. Pay negotiable depending on experience.

We are seeking a keen and motivated person to manage our 132ha, 360 cow dairy farm. The farm is mainly flat with some rolling hills. It is a low system, low stress operation. The successful applicant would be responsible not just for the milk harvesting, pasture management, weed control but also the day to day management of a staff member. The 3 bedroom home on the farm is 5 minutes from the local township with a primary school and childcare centre. It is 20 minutes from Dannevirke. We are open to tailoring the position to suit the right person.