Farm Manager | Tarwin Lower, Vic

Drover Ag Agricultural Recruitment; Tarwin Lower; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work vehicle provided

Job summary

Drover Ag Agricultural Recruitment is assisting a family-operated mixed enterprise in Tarwin Lower, Victoria to find a Farm Manager/Leading Hand. You will oversee day-to-day operations for 1,200 acres and manage a herd of 350–400 Angus cows and calves, ensuring animal health and welfare.

The role involves hands-on machinery work, paddock rotations, hay/silage harvest, weed spraying, pest management, and maintaining infrastructure across multiple local sites.

Qualifications

• Proven beef cattle management experience with cows and calves.
• Ability to operate farm machinery with minimal supervision.
• Strong planning and communication with owners and staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations on 1,200 acres across Tarwin Lower.
• Manage cattle herd health, welfare, winter calving, and paddock rotations.
• Operate tractors and farm equipment; harvest hay and silage; spray weeds.
• Coordinate pest control, maintain farm assets, and general property duties.

Skills

Beef cattle management

Autonomous machinery operation

Strong planning & communication

Tools

Tractors

Cultivation equipment

Hay/silage handling gear

Job description

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Farm Manager/Leading Hand to oversee day-to-day operations across 1,200 acres in Tarwin Lower, Victoria. In this broad and dynamic role, you will take full ownership of livestock management programs for an established herd of 350 to 400 Angus cows and calves, ensuring optimal animal health, welfare, winter calving care, and structured paddock rotations.

Beyond comprehensive livestock oversight, you will play a central hands-on role in operating modern farm machinery such as tractors, motorbikes, and cultivation equipment, while also overseeing crop and pasture work including harvesting hay and silage, spraying weeds, and preparing fields. Additionally, your scope will encompass coordinating feral animal and pest management, maintaining critical farm infrastructure and assets, and executing general property duties across multiple local sites.

The Employer

Our clients are a family-owned and operated mixed enterprise combining civil and agricultural earthmoving, agricultural contracting, and an Angus beef breeding enterprise across multiple farm holdings. Backed by a collaborative, permanent crew of 10 employees and a strong agricultural client base, the business offers a vibrant work environment where no two weeks are ever the same. Operating just 20 to 30 minutes from the major hub towns of Leongatha and Inverloch, the operation prides itself on a culture of quality workmanship, high standards of animal welfare, and continuous growth.

The Offer

This full-time position offers a competitive hourly pay rate (commensurate with background and experience), along with a work vehicle provided for the successful applicant. You will enjoy stable full-time hours with additional seasonal opportunities for expanded hours during peak farming periods, allowing for excellent work variety in a supportive team structure. Please note that accommodation is not provided with this position, so applicants must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Tarwin Lower region.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a practical, self-motivated agricultural professional with proven experience managing cattle enterprises and operating farm machinery autonomously.

• Proven track record in managing beef cattle operations, specifically cows and calves


• Solid experience operating tractors, feeding out hay/silage, and handling cultivation gear


• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously across multiple farm locations with minimal supervision


• Strong communication and planning skills to collaborate with owners, staff, stock agents, and vets


• Valid driver's license and a commitment to farm safety, environmental practices, and animal welfare


• Beneficial harvesting skills (e.g. silage, hay, corn) are highly regarded