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Dairy Farmer

Kaiahuwhenua Miraka Kau

Dairy farmers plan and manage milk production by cows, maintain pasture and monitor environmental impacts on farms.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but agricultural and horticultural science, digital technologies, maths, English and business studies to a least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, Gateway and trades academies are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for dairy farmers includes:

  • farm, outdoor, engineering or labouring work
  • working with animals
  • working in mechanical, maintenance or building industries 
  • professional rural roles such as fertiliser sales representative, banker or stock agent.

What you will do

Dairy farmers may do some or all of the following:

  • milk cows
  • plan and manage the feeding of cows
  • manage cow health, reproduction and calf-rearing
  • carry out general maintenance such as fencing, spraying weeds and pest control
  • keep financial and farming records
  • maintain equipment and farm vehicles
  • employ and train people to work on the farm 
  • work with vets, farm advisers and other contractors
  • follow health and safety and wellbeing procedures
  • keep up to date with new farm technology, and ways to make the farm more environmentally sustainable.

Skills and knowledge

Dairy farmers need to have:

  • good animal-handling skills and an understanding of animal welfare
  • an understanding of pasture management
  • knowledge of the milking process
  • an awareness of milk company standards and safe practices on the farm
  • the ability to drive, operate and maintain farm machinery
  • business and accounting skills
  • knowledge of sustainable environmental management practices.
Pay

Dairy farm assistants and herd managers usually earn an average of

$55K-$67K

per year

Dairy farm managers and operations managers usually earn an average of

$83K-$103K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a dairy farmer are good due to a shortage of workers and high demand for their services.

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Dairy farmers plan and manage milk production by cows, maintain pasture and monitor environmental impacts on farms.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a dairy farmer as you can gain skills on the job. However, a relevant training course in agriculture, dairy farming, agribusiness or farm management is recommended.

Dairy farmers will often train inexperienced people if they have a can-do attitude and willingness to learn. They may offer their employees training through the Primary Industry Training Organisation (Primary ITO), which oversees apprenticeships.

A business, science or agricultural related certificate, diploma or degree in science, commerce, business or economics will help advance your dairy career. 

Pre-employment training 

Pre-employment training options include internships, work experience and short courses available through private training organisations and polytechnics.

Apprenticeships 

Apprentices earn while they learn and develop their skills and career prospects through on-the-job experience over two or three years. Apprenticeships are available through different industry organisations and companies. 

On-the-job training

Dairy farmers may choose to study towards a qualification while in work, or attend farming discussion groups.

Chances of getting a job

High demand for dairy farmers

Chances of getting a job as a dairy farmer are good because there is a shortage of workers and high demand for people with dairy farming skills. There are opportunities for skilled workers throughout the dairy farming year, not just at busy times such as calving.

Dairy cattle farmer appears on Immigration New Zealand's regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled dairy farmers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Large industry with career pathway opportunities

Dairy farming is a large industry employing many farm staff in roles ranging from entry-level farm assistant jobs through to herd manager, assistant manager, farm manager, operations manager and farm owner.

The trend for dairy farms to be run as corporate businesses means more opportunities for people with management skills. New farm management roles include operation managers, business managers and farm supervisors.

According to the Census, 26,541 dairy cattle farmers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers and working arrangements varied

Dairy farmers may work for themselves, or as permanent staff members, or on a profit-sharing contract that includes part-ownership of a farm.

Find out more about training

GoDairy
0800 4 324 7969 - info@dairynz.co.nz - www.godairynz.co.nz
Primary Industry Training Organisation
0800 20 80 20 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Most dairy farmers start as farm workers or assistants, and progress into other roles such as herd manager or sharemilker.

Dairy farmers may also go on to buy their own farm.

Dairy farmers may specialise in a number of profit-sharing and management roles, such as:

Dairy Farm Assistant
Dairy farm assistants help farmers with a variety of tasks, including raising and caring for animals, repairs and maintenance, and other farming activities.
Dairy Herd Manager
Dairy herd managers are paid a wage to manage a herd of cows.
Dairy Farm Manager
Dairy farm managers are responsible for the financial and physical performance of the farm in consultation with a farm's owner.
Operations Manager
Operations managers are responsible for meeting farm owners' business goals, and managing farm profits or shares.
Contract Milker
Contract milkers pay for a percentage of the farm costs (without owning the cows) and receive a set reward per kilogram of milk solids.
Sharemilker
Sharemilkers either milk a dairy farmer's cows for a profit share, or own a herd of cows and milk them on an owner's land for a profit share.
Dairy Farm Owner
Dairy farm owners own their own dairy farm and may employ staff to run their farming business.

Other employment and profit-sharing arrangements are available in the dairy farming industry.

Working conditions

Dairy farmers:

  • usually start early in the morning, and work until late afternoon
  • may work long hours during peak times, and can work six days a week
  • work on farms and in milking sheds
  • work outside with animals, crops and machinery in all weather conditions

Physical Requirements

Dairy farmers need to have a good level of fitness as dairy farm work can be physically demanding.

Useful personal qualities

Dairy farmers need to be:

  • confident and caring with animals
  • patient, adaptable and practical
  • motivated and able to follow a routine
  • able to show initiative and make decisions
  • well organised, goal-focused and forward-thinking  
  • able to work well independently, and in a team
  • good at communicating and managing.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Dairy farmers plan and manage milk production by cows, maintain pasture and monitor environmental impacts on farms.

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