Dairy.

Whether it’s on farm, in manager roles, or in agri-science, there are opportunities here for those with a range of skills.

A dairy cow in a field

Opportunities in dairy

Dairy farming involves everything from caring for animals, to enhancing the environment and earning good money. There are a range of on-farm roles, with a clear progression path, from being a farm assistant through to a self-employed farm owner.

Hayley

Anyone who grows up in town and has no background in farming can go into dairy farming and become successful.

Hayley Hoogendyk, Farm Manager

Types of jobs in dairy

  • Farm assistant

    Salary: $55,000 - $67,000 incl accommodation*

    This is the first step for many into a career in dairy. The farm assistant is the hands-on, on-the-farm job where you’ll begin to gain valuable experience.

    This role will be anything from feeding cows and milk harvesting, to helping with animal health and environmental management to improve the farm’s environmental impact.

    And farm assistants don’t always need formal training, as you’ll receive plenty of on-the-job training.

    * Average farm assistant salary, Farming Salaries 2018, Remuneration Summary Report 2017/18, Federated Farmers

    Two men walk through a field with a dog by their side
  • Herd manager

    Salary: $65,000 - $77,000 incl accommodation*

    Herd managers are responsible for some of the day-to-day running of the farm along with often managing some of the farm staff. They usually start as farm assistants and have a couple of years’ experience on the farm.

    There are opportunities to study while you work. 

     

    * Average herd manager salary, Farming Salaries 2018, Remuneration Summary Report 2017/18, Federated Farmers.

    A woman milks cows
  • Operations manager

    Salary: $79,000*

    In charge of farm management, operations managers make sure the business works to meet its goals and targets.

    This role is often responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring farm operations like feeding, milk harvesting, environmental plans, and people management.

    This is a career role to work towards after gaining hands-on expertise as a herd and farm manager.

    * Average operations manager salary, Farming Salaries 2018, Remuneration Summary Report 2017/18, Federated Farmers

    Two men stand in front of some dairy cows, one man holds a tablet

Browse dairy jobs on Farmsource

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Agri-business

Professionals that provide a range of services to farm businesses

Take your background in economics, retail, and government and apply it to one of New Zealand’s biggest industries. Agri-business is the business side of farming and it's vital to the running of the dairy industry.

Dairy utilises skills in banking, consultancy, accounting and retail. In fact, an average dairy farmer uses about 10 different advisers in the running of their business, so there could be a place for you.

Job opportunities in agri-business include being a consulting officer, rural banker or environmental analyst.

Learn more at GoDairy
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Agri-science

Creative problem solvers who ask why and provide solutions

Science plays an important role in dairy farming. Animal behaviour and nutrition, microbiology, genetics, and technology are all areas where science provides solutions to improve agriculture.

Science roles can include creating better ways to look after our land, and finding more sustainable ways for us to live and farm.

Job opportunities in agri-science include being an animal nutritionist, environmental scientist, veterinarian/veterinarian nurse or research technician.

Learn more at GoDairy

Training and learning opportunities

From formal training to learning on the job, there are a wide range of options to learn dairy farming. Some of these are as short as three weeks until you are ‘farm ready’ and can begin work on a dairy farm.

Keen to learn more?

Find out about a range of food and fibre jobs, what skills are needed and training available.

Visit careers.govt.nz

Connecting you to support.

View the support options available to you on your work, education or training journey.

Visit connected.govt.nz
A dairy cow in a field