Trainee Farm Manager with Agritech R&D
This might include system design and the more technical tools such as automation/robotics, CAD, wireless networks and data science, i.e. we need someone with a university degree including STEM courses, and the smarts to rapidly pick up on new knowledge and skills.
To learn more about TechnoGrazing try Googling “TechnoGrazing system” which should yield many pages of interesting links (along with some less-interesting and irrelevant 3rd party advertisers).
Transforming pastoral farming with a model that is more climate-friendly and generally sustainable is our core mission, so we are looking for someone who shares these values and has genuine commitment to this transformational project.
The job description
The position you would be applying for is “farm worker/trainee TechnoGrazing manager to help run an all-grass dairy beef farm”. The farm is “Burleigh” which is located off Highway 1, 4km north of Bulls (25 minutes from Palmerston North, 30 minutes from Whanganui)
Tasks will include cattle handling (drafting, shifting, vaccinating, drenching, ear-tagging, weighing, etc); moving (live) temporary electric fences and portable water troughs; building and maintaining permanent electric fences; using a chainsaw; maintaining water reticulation; record keeping, weed spraying, Quad-riding; tractor-driving; etc.
Salary offered will depend on qualifications and previous relevant job experience and achievement but is expected to be in the range of $70,000 to $90,000 (depending on qualifications and experience). An on-farm cottage is provided and renumeration over and above the nominal salary will be offered to cover the rental.
The TechnoGrazing trainee role is expected to last 1-2 years before tackling roles in T2 development.
Possible downstream roles with T2 are:- Techno design, including fence and water reticulation layouts and hydraulic models; bills of materials, costings and financial analysis all using bespoke in-house software.
- Sales and marketing, locally and offshore, with extensive on-line communication and preparation of training and promotional videos.
- Device/hardware/embedded software tech-support roles involving the development and calibration of grazing management software models, AI agents for decision-making assistance, wireless networks, GPS-assisted fence construction and hazard management, etc.
- R&D roles in grazing management, including on-farm trial work, and data analysis in support of the ongoing development of grazing software and intelligent devices.
- Engineering R&D involving a wide range of devices, machines and materials.
- Farm management system development, especially in lean management, AI, animal health, regenerative practices and advanced grazing management.
Because these downstream roles are so diverse, we expect applicants will have strengths in just a subset of the disciplines involved and that they might end up specialising in two or three of the roles outlined above, i.e., we are not expecting applicants to be educated/experienced in all these areas.
Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.