Drystock Farm Assistant

Our client is a local farming group consisting of both dairy farms and support blocks. The farm runs 2000 R1s and about 1500/1600 R2s, and you will be working in a team of 5. As the Drystock Farm Assistant, you will be required to report to the Drystock Manager, and will assist with daily operational tasks as directed, including stock management, feeding, animal health, irrigation. The successful applicant must be a team player; have great communication skills, strong relationship building capabilities, and decision-making skills. This role is open to individuals or couples, with work available for the partner. There will be a minimum of 45 hours per week plus seasonal time. Requirements: -At least 2 years of relevant work experience. -Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. -Ability to work effectively as part of a team. -High standards of cleanliness. -Knowledge of on-farm compliance and regional council requirements around best practice of stock water systems. -Able to change feed requirements of all young stock and particularly when wintering all animals on winter feed forage crops. -Knowledge of using weigh scales and equipment for data collection of animal weights. -Basic understanding about animal health issues associated with feeding various forage crops. -Operate farm vehicles and machinery. The successful candidate must also be able to: - Know the importance of data collected and how it influences decisions. - Intervene and remove/identify any unwell animals in a timely matter - Separate freshly calved cows and calves from a mob. - Handle young calves in a safe, kind, and hygienic manner. - Identify and assist with treatment of lame cows, bloat, down cows, and other unwell animals. - Basic feed budgeting. - Confidently load feedout wagon and feed out in the paddock or in bale feeders. - Understand best practice around intensive winter grazing regulations. Responsibilities: - Assist with moving and handling animals safely and observes and reports on wellbeing of all stock. - Monitoring of all stock for any ill health and reports issues to best person on farm. - Assist with moving handling of freshly calved cows and calves. - Assist with feeding stock on-farm and growing young stock. - Assist with pasture and feed allocation, sets break fences, and feeds out as directed. - Assist with maintaining the water system. - Safely assist with erecting and maintaining both permanent and non-permanent electric and non-electric fences, as directed. Accommodation is a 3 bedroom brick home, with school bus to the gate to the primary school in Hororata and high school in Darfield, 3k outside of Hororata. Only those with relevant experience will be considered. Please apply directly through the job ad or send your CV with reference to this job to contact@trinityemployment.co.nz