Farm Technician - Innovation Farm

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC); Ōhaupō; On-site; NZD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

LIC’s Innovation Farm is seeking a practical Farm Technician to join a hands-on farming team in the Waikato region. The role blends routine farm duties with participation in on-farm research and innovation projects that shape NZ dairy farming.

The position is full-time and seasonal, including weekend work and early starts, across the farm, dairy shed, and research facilities. May 2027 end date noted.

Qualifications

• Experience working with dairy cattle or livestock.
• Proven attention to detail and reliability.
• Ability to follow procedures accurately.
• Willingness to learn new systems and technology.

Responsibilities

• Milking and dairy shed operation.
• Stock handling, drafting and animal movements.
• Animal health monitoring and treatments.
• Mating and herd testing.
• Feeding cows and operating farm machinery.
• General farm maintenance and data recording.

Skills

Dairy cattle experience

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Willing to learn

Practical

Tools

Farm machinery operation

Tractors

Mobile devices

Job description

LIC is a farmer-owned co-operative that’s been supporting herd improvement in New Zealand’s dairy sector for more than 115 years. We’re focused on providing superior genetics, reliable testing and diagnostics, integrated on-farm software, and great customer service, all designed to help farmers make smarter decisions every day.

As a proud generational co-operative, we’re here for farmers, their families, and rural communities, not just for today, but for the future. And none of it happens without our people. Whether on farm, in the lab, or behind the scenes, every one of us plays a part in helping New Zealand farmers succeed.

About The Role

Looking for something a bit different from a standard dairy farming role?

We’re looking for a practical, reliable and curious Farm Technician to join the team at LIC’s Innovation Farm. This is a hands‑on dairy farming role with a difference. Alongside normal farm duties, you’ll be involved in research and innovation projects that help shape the future of New Zealand dairy farming. One day you might be milking, feeding cows or drafting stock, and the next you could be helping with a research trial in our methane research barn.

This is a full‑time, hands‑on farming position and will include rostered weekend work and early starts. You’ll work across the farm, dairy shed and research facilities. Because of the variety of work carried out on the Innovation Farm, no two weeks are likely to look exactly the same.

Please note: This is a seasonal role ending in May 2027.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Milking and dairy shed operation
• Stock handling, drafting and animal movements
• Animal health monitoring and treatments
• Mating and herd testing
• Feeding cows and operating farm machinery
• General farm maintenance
• Supporting LIC research projects
• Assisting with animal trials and data collection
• Working with animal monitoring and farm technology
• Supporting the operation of the methane barn
• Maintaining accurate farm and trial records
• Helping maintain high standards of animal welfare and Health & Safety

What Makes This Role Different?

This isn’t just about getting cows milked and jobs ticked off. The Innovation Farm is used for research in a real commercial farming environment. You’ll work alongside the farm team as well as researchers, technical specialists and other parts of LIC.

It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys farming but also wants to learn more about the technology, science and innovation happening behind the scenes in the dairy industry. You don’t need to be a scientist, you just need to be practical, willing to learn, and able to follow procedures accurately.

What We’re Looking For

We’d like someone who:

• Has experience working with dairy cattle or livestock Is confident and calm around stock Is practical and willing to get stuck in
• Has good attention to detail Is reliable and takes pride in doing jobs properly Is comfortable using phones, tablets and farm technology
• Can follow instructions and procedures accurately
• Works well in a team but can also work independently
• Is willing to learn new systems and technology
• Communicates well and speaks up when something doesn’t look right
• Experience with dairy farming, tractors, animal health, rotary sheds, herd management systems or research trials would be useful, but we’re also happy to support the right person to learn.

Why Join Us?

This Role Offers The Chance To

• Work on a modern dairy farming operation
• Gain experience with new farming technology
• Be involved in real dairy research and innovation
• Develop skills beyond traditional farm work
• Work with a wide range of people across LIC
• Be part of projects that could influence how dairy farms operate in the future

If you enjoy farming, like learning new things and want a role with a bit more variety, we’d love to hear from you.