Farm Manager - Dairy 1

Massey University – Dairy 1 in the Manawatū has an exciting full-time ongoing opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Farm Manager to join our team. If you’re passionate about dairy farming and ready to lead daily operations on a progressive unit, we’d love to hear from you.

Located just minutes from Palmerston North city, this farm offers the perfect blend of rural lifestyle and urban convenience. Dairy 1 is a 120-hectare farm (with 30ha under irrigation), milking 260 cows once-a-day through a 24-a-side herringbone shed. All cows are wintered on the milking platform, with supplementary feed and crops used at key points in the season.

Key Skills Required:

• Great communication skills
• Excellent stock handling and pasture management abilities
• Animal health knowledge, including identifying mastitis and lameness
• Competent tractor operation, feeding out, and mowing
• Strong understanding of Health and Safety practices
• Relevant Agricultural/Horticultural (Level 3 minimum) qualification preferred

What We Offer:

• 5 days on / 2 days off roster
• Attractive salary
• On-farm housing provided
• Ongoing training and personal development
• All tools of the trade supplied
• Salary range of $85,000-$95,000 plus a house provided.

In this role, you will take responsibility for all daily operations and lead the Herd Management with additional relief staff brought in as needed. Dairy 1 also serves as a key site for the Whenua Haumanu project, meaning you'll regularly collaborate with researchers, lecturers, students, and visitors.