Dairy Farm Assistant

JobSpace; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

JobSpace in Gisborne, NZ, is seeking an entry-level Feed Production Assistant for a dairy farm. The role offers on-site housing and on-the-job training.

Applicants must be physically fit, hold a driver licence, and be willing to learn; previous dairy experience is not required. Responsibilities include feed planning, pasture management, irrigation, milking process support, effluent handling, animal health practices, and active participation in the farm business plan.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be physically fit and willing to learn.
• Pass pre-employment drug test and have no criminal record.
• No prior dairy shed experience required; training provided.
• Must have a driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Assist with feed planning and management of feeds on the farm.
• Help manage weeds and pests to maintain pasture and crops.
• Apply fertilizer and implement irrigation requirements.
• Ensure the milking process operates smoothly with hygiene and somatic cell count.
• Operate and maintain the farm effluent system per regional requirements.
• Maintain effluent management records.
• Maintain herd records and report health issues to Farm Manager.
• Assist to develop and support the Farm Business Plan.
• Help with repairs and maintenance of plant, machinery, and infrastructure.
• Follow company policies and wear PPE.

Skills

Physically fit

Willing to learn

Pre-employment drug test

No criminal record

Driver licence

Job description

• Employee housing is available on-site. Accommodation may be shared or private, depending on availability at the time of successful placement. No pets allowed.
• Drive-in applicants must be able to demonstrate they can reliably meet the requirements of the roster; candidates residing outside a reasonable commuting distance who are unwilling to relocate may be considered unsuitable for these operational reasons.

Applicants must have the following as per employer’s requirement:

• Applicants must be physically fit and willing to learn.
• Applicants must pass pre-employment drug test and have no criminal record.
• Applicants are not required to have experience in the dairy shed, or with pasture-based farming as this is an entry level role and the employer is willing to provide necessary training.
• Must have a driver licence

Job Description:

Feed Production Management

• Assist with any feed planning or the management of as appropriate
• Assist to manage weeds and pests to maintain pasture and crops.
• Applying fertilizer and implement irrigation requirements.
• Ensure the effective operation of all aspects of the milking process, including plant hygiene and somatic cell count, to maintain grade free standards.

Effluent

• Operate and maintain the effluent system on your farm to all regional council compliance requirements and the employer’s additional standards
• Maintain all appropriate effluent management records
• Know what to do when things go wrong.

Animals

• Implement animal health programme to maintain good health
• Assist with calving, wintering, and the calf rearing programme to achieve minimal losses and ensure high quality replacements are available for the herd
• Ensure all herd records are maintained
• Report any incidents of unwell animals to Farm Manager.

Business

• Work with the Dairy Farm Manager to contribute to Farm Business Plan
• Assist to manage repairs and maintenance schedule for all plant, machinery, and infrastructure
• Ensure all relevant company policies are understood and adhered to.

Health and Safety

• Comply with health and safety requirements and adhere to the policies and procedures.
• Meet the above requirement by wearing all personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Assist to work within best practice environmental guidelines.