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Dairy Herd Manager

Kaiwhakahaere Māpu Kau

Dairy herd managers run daily dairy farming operations such as feeding and milking cows, monitoring animal health and environmental management.

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Secondary education

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

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for dairy herd managers includes:

  • any farm work
  • working with animals 
  • rural retail or sales roles.

What you will do

Dairy herd managers may do some or all of the following:

  • plan and manage the feeding of cows
  • milk cows and manage junior and relief staff in milking sheds
  • manage the health, reproduction and welfare of calves and cows 
  • monitor effluent spreader systems
  • general maintenance such as fencing, spraying weeds and pest control
  • keep records of a farm's environmental impact
  • follow health and safety and wellbeing procedures.

Skills and knowledge

Dairy herd managers need to have:

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

Assistant dairy herd managers usually earn

$48K-$88K

per year

Experienced dairy herd managers usually earn

$51K-$90K

per year

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

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Dairy herd managers run daily dairy farming operations such as feeding and milking cows, monitoring animal health and environmental management.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a dairy herd manager, 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. 

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 dairy industry organisations and companies. 

On-the-job training

Dairy herd managers may choose to study towards a qualification while working, and attend farming discussion groups.

Chances of getting a job

High demand for experienced dairy herd managers

Chances of getting a job as a dairy herd manager 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 herd managers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

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

Types of employers and working arrangements varied

Dairy herd managers may work as permanent staff members, or on a profit-sharing contract that includes part-ownership. 

Large farming businesses often employ dairy herd managers.

Find out more about training

Go Dairy
0800 4 324 7969 - info@dairynz.co.nz - www.godairy.co.nz
Primary ITO
0800 20 80 20 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Dairy herd managers may progress to other roles in the dairy industry such as:

Working conditions

Dairy herd managers:

  • 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 herd managers need to have a good level of fitness as dairy farm work can be physically demanding.

Useful personal qualities

Dairy herd managers 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 as part of a team
  • good at communicating with and managing people.

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Dairy herd managers run daily dairy farming operations such as feeding and milking cows, monitoring animal health and environmental management.

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