Short term work - farm assistant

We are seeking a Dairy Farm Assistant to join our team. Our farm is in North Otago, 25 minutes west of Oamaru. Our owner/operated farm emphasizes animal welfare, pasture management, and sustainable farming practices. Experience is preferred, but we value a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, honesty, and integrity above prior farming experience. Responsibilities: - Milking in a 40-aside herringbone shed equipped with an in-shed feed system - Feeding livestock and performing general stock care - Setting up break fencing - Calf rearing during the appropriate season - Effluent and shed hygiene management - Assisting with various seasonal tasks across the farm Comprehensive training and ongoing support will be provided, and we support off-farm education such as PrimaryITO. Ideal candidates will: - Be reliable, positive, honest, and open to learning new skills - Work effectively both independently (after training) and as part of a team - Be comfortable handling livestock - Hold a full or restricted NZ driver licence - Currently reside in New Zealand and/or possess a valid NZ work visa - Be able to provide two references, one being your current employer Please note a high level of English proficiency is required. We operate a zero-tolerance policy regarding drug use and don't allow smoking or vaping within homes, sheds, and vehicles. This position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals who are keen to start their dairy farming career, love working with animals and in the outdoors, and are eager to develop their skills within a supportive small team environment.

**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

**Location:** mid Canterbury **Employer:** The milk ranch Limited **Minimum Hours / Pay:** Minimum 30 hours per week / $27 - $31.00 per hour The milk ranch limited is seeking a motivated and reliable person to join our team as a Farm Assistant. This is an entry-level position, 6 months to 1 year experience is preferred. However, the right attitude and work ethic are essential. To be successful in this role, you must: - Have common sense and a strong work ethic - Be honest, motivated, and reliable - Communicate well and work positively with others - Enjoy working with animals and spending time outdoors - Be able to ride both two-wheel and four-wheel motorbikes **About the role:** We milk 400 cows through a 30 aside herringbone shed (acrs, automatic teatspray in shed and cows have allflex collars). The role involves assisting with a range of farm duties, including: **Milking and Shed Hygiene:** - Assist with efficient and hygienic milking procedures - Clean and maintain the milking plant and dairy equipment - Report faults or issues to senior staff **Animal Care:** - Assist with safe handling of livestock - Report any animal health or welfare concerns promptly **Feeding:** - Set up break fences and feed out as directed **Environmental Responsibilities:** - Assist with nutrient, effluent, and water management - Spot spray weeds in paddocks using a knapsack **Teamwork and Machinery:** - Be a cooperative team member - Operate farm vehicles safely and maintain them according to farm policies **Health and Safety:** - Follow all health and safety procedures - Be willing to participate in building a positive health, safety, and wellbeing culture on the farm **Important Conditions:** - No pets allowed on the farm - This is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace - You must have a clean criminal record – a police check will be carried out - Random drug testing is conducted as part of our farm’s Health and Safety Policy If you are eager to learn, enjoy working with animals, and want to be part of a supportive team, we would love to hear from you. **Farm Size (ha):** 120 **Peak Herd Size (cows):** 400 **Typical On-farm Staff:** 2.3 **Position Start Date:** 01/06/2026 **Accommodation available:** Yes, 3 bedroom shared **Hour Type:** week **Average Hours Per week:** 30 **Roster:** Single rotation - 6 Days on / 2 days Off **Remuneration paid by:** Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly

We require an honest and reliable person to assist with all manner of farming tasks on our family dairy farm located at Edendale, Southland. Milking 480 cows through 40 a side Herringbone shed. Applicant would need to be punctual, reliable with a genuine enthusiasm for working with livestock, machinery and the outdoors. Experience is preferred but not essential but a "can do", hardworking attitude is. Could suit a hardworking beginner, migrant worker or a couple. Opportunity for calf rearing available. Position open to NZ residents and those with eligible visas. Not looking to sponsor visas. Farm Size (ha): 160 Peak Herd Size (cows): 480 Typical On-farm Staff: 3 Accommodation available: Solid, recently renovated two bedroom house available on farm. Heated with heat pumps. Located next to Edendale, school buses nearby. Good location, 20mins to Gore, 30mins to Invercargill. Average Hours Per week: 55 Roster: Single rotation - 10 Days on / 3 days Off

We are after a new farm assistant as our other is moving up to herd manager experience is welcomed but not required the right attitude is a must. We milk 840 cows through a 5 year old 54 bail rotary shed with auto cup removers, teat spray, drafting and wash. All flat ground 2 mins from Dunedin airport. Roster is 8 days on 4 days off all year.

WE ARE NOT ACCREDITATED EMPLOYERS Our beautiful family owned and run farm is located just 2 mins from Oxford, 25 mins from Rangiora and only 40 mins to the centre of Christchurch, it is in an ideal location for those who want to live in the country but still like to be close to town. We are now in need of an enthusiastic farm assistant for next season. This is a newly created role, but our vision is to bring someone on board who may have a couple of months experience under their belt but is extremely serious about growing a career in the dairy industry. We are the type of people who are only too happy to impart our knowledge onto the next generation of dairy farmers. However, in return we do expect the person that works with us to take the role seriously. Dairy farming is not for the faint hearted as we have early starts and can have quite long days (especially during calving), so to be successful you must have a very strong work ethic, you must be reliable, honest, trustworthy and most importantly have a bright personality and a positive can-do attitude. Milking our 250 cows through a 22 aside Herringbone shed, if you have some milking experience, it will be a bonus, you must also be willing to learn to care for our cows, so being an animal lover is also a positive. There is a lovely modern one-bedroom cottage available on farm but do prefer no pets. We are looking to pay $24.00 per hour plus $200 a week accommodation. A safe and healthy work environment is also on offer; we are drug and smoke free. Farm Size (ha) 95 Peak Herd Size (cows) 250 Typical On-farm Staff 3 Position Start Date 01/06/2026 Accommodation available Modern 1 bedroom cottage $200 per week – Pref no pets. Hour Type week Average Hours Per week 50 Roster By negotiation Remuneration paid by Hourly / Daily / Weekly / Monthly / Yearly Remuneration if Total Package Value (e.g. Salary and/or benefits) Neg.

At Grasslands, we are about growing great people, caring for our animals, and running high-performing farms in a way that is sustainable, safe, and rewarding. We are currently looking for a motivated and positive Dairy Farm Assistant to join our Otapiri team and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking operation. This role offers the opportunity to work with a 900-cow herd on a well-resourced farm where animal welfare, technology, and team culture are genuinely valued. **The role** You will be involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, including: - Milking and animal health monitoring - Assisting with calving, calf rearing, and mating - Break fencing and allocating cows to paddocks - Maintaining high standards of stock care and welfare - Weed spraying and general farm maintenance - Working collaboratively with the team to achieve daily and seasonal goals **Our farm** Located in Otapiri, just 13 minutes from Winton and 40 minutes from Invercargill, the farm is equipped to support both people and animals, including: - 60-bail rotary dairy shed with modern technology upgrades - ACRs and in-bail teat spray - Manual drafting - In-shed feeding system - Effluent applied via pads Our systems are designed to promote efficient workdays, flexible conditions where possible, and excellent animal welfare outcomes. **What we are looking for** We are looking for someone who: - Is honest, reliable, and a strong team player - Takes pride in animal care and farm presentation - Wants to learn, grow, and contribute positively to the team - Has a clear criminal record **What we offer** - Shared on-farm accommodation included in your package, up to Healthy Homes standard - A supportive team environment where you’re valued and listened to - Clear opportunities for long-term career progression - Training and development for those who aspire to progress in their career If you are looking for more than just a job and want to build a future in dairying with an organisation that invests in its people, we would love to hear from you.

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 looking for a Dairy Farm assistant who wants to develop further their skills and knowledge on a well-set-up and high-performing farm. We currently have a team of 4 on farm, but we are looking to expand our team and add another team member to the farm for next season. The successful applicant will have had minimum 1 years Dairy farming experience already, and be looking for their next challenge. We are open to a drive-in employee. MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN NZ - NOT ACCREDITED Must be able to pass a pre employment drug & alcohol test. Key Responsibilities - Assist with milking and maintain milk quality - Monitor animal health and assist with treatments - Support calving and calf rearing - Maintain cleanliness of the shed and farm facilities - Assist with feeding out and pasture management - Carry out general farm maintenance (e.g. fencing, water systems, weed control) - Follow farm health, safety, and animal welfare policies Key Requirements - Reliable, motivated, and willing to learn - Good teamwork and communication skills - Commitment to animal welfare and safe farm practices - Fit in and work well with our high performing team. (Sharemilker, 2IC, Herd Manager & Dairy Assistant) About our farm & facilities: - 64 bail rotary with Automatic Plant Wash, ACRs and Protrack. - Inshed feeding & a mineraliser. - Halter collars. - 268ha subdivided into three pivots, with 38 paddocks, central races & 1.1km longest walks, irrigated by three variable rate pivots with injection effluent.

**Calf Rearer – Methven, Canterbury** We are seeking two motivated calf rearers to join our team for the 2026 calving season, based less than 10 minutes from Methven and 20 minutes from Ashburton. We require two calf rearers who are able to share the workload and alternate days off. **About the Role:** - **Start Date:** Approx. 28 July 2026 - **End Date:** Approx. 15 October 2026 - **Roster:** Negotiable - **Renumeration:** Negotiable - **Hours:** Approx. 30 hours per week, depending on roster - **Farm:** Flat, easy-working terrain; 1030 cows calving over a 12-week period - **Accommodation:** Possible accommodation available, or can be a drive-in position **Key Duties:** - Tubing and feeding calves (milk and meal) - Tagging and preparing calves for transport - Daily health checks and treatments as required - Cleaning calf pens and maintaining hygienic feeding equipment - Accurate record keeping and attention to detail **About You:** - Previous calf rearing experience preferred (lead calf rearer ideal), but training can be provided for the right applicant - Good teamwork, communication, and reliability - High standards of hygiene and organisation - Must be based in New Zealand and hold a valid work visa if required - Must have your own transport