Herd Manager
HERD MANAGER – POSITION DESCRIPTION / KEY DUTIES
The Herd Manager is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operation of the dairy farm and the effective management of dairy livestock to support safe, productive, and efficient farm operations in accordance with animal welfare, health, and farm compliance standards.
Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Performing routine dairy farming duties, including herding, mustering, moving, and milking cattle.Assisting with the daily care, monitoring, and management of dairy livestock, including patrolling paddocks, inspecting and reporting on animal condition, and ensuring adequate feed and water supply.
Moving livestock safely between paddocks, milking sheds, and grazing areas to maintain appropriate pasture rotation and grazing management.
Preparing cows for milking by cleaning udders, operating and attaching milking equipment, and monitoring milking processes to ensure hygiene and animal welfare standards are maintained.
Detecting and reporting animal health concerns, including mastitis, lameness, injuries, illness, and identifying cows on heat to support breeding and herd performance.Administering or assisting with feeding-out operations and ensuring stock nutritional requirements are met.
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of farm facilities, milking sheds, yards, equipment, and livestock areas.
Operating farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, irrigators, and other large farm machinery in a safe and competent manner.
Assisting with irrigation systems, including understanding irrigator operation and monitoring performance.
Carrying out general farm maintenance duties, including repairing and maintaining fences, fixtures, and farm infrastructure.
Supporting weed control and maintaining farm presentation and productivity.
Performing rotation greasing and basic maintenance of farm machinery and equipment to ensure operational efficiency.
Recording and maintaining accurate farm and livestock information using farm management systems such as Minda, including herd data entry and animal records.
Supporting safe livestock handling practices and contributing to the overall efficient running of dairy farm operations.
The employee is expected to comply with all workplace health and safety requirements, farm procedures, and animal welfare standards and to undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role of Herd Manager.
Minimum 45 hours per week.
You must have at least two years of relevant work experience and an acceptable New Zealand driver's licence.
approximately $75k to $82k annually (Rental will be deducted at the agreed accommodation value)