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Karl Dravitzki

"When I was at school I swore I was never going to be a dairy farmer," laughs 26 year old Karl Dravitzki. But ten years on, that is exactly what he is doing on his family's Frankley Road farm, just on the outskirts of New Plymouth.

"I had thought about doing accountancy, but somehow I ...

Dairy Farm Manager

Alternative Career Options

Farm Assistant

Job Overview: Farmers/farm managers are responsible for planning the day-to-day management of farms. Farmers own the land they farm, while a farm manager manages the farms for the owner.

ALTERNATIVE TITLES
Another career option in the agriculture industry that is experiencing a skill shortage is farm assistant.Farm Owner
Manager (Farm)
Farmer
Agribusiness Manager
Livestock Farmer
Farm Assistant

TASKS AND DUTIES
Farm work varies depending on the time of year and the size and type of farm. Farmers/farm managers may do some or all of the following:

plan how to run the farm
manage pasture, stock and stock breeding programmes
hire, organise and supervise farm staff
buy feed, machinery and other farm materials
attend stock sales to buy and sell stock
allocate sheep and cattle to paddocks to ensure adequate feed is available through all seasons
muster and shift stock
drench, dip (remove parasites), dag and shear sheep
wean lambs
dock calves and lambs
manage and prepare stock for slaughter
control pests and weeds, which may include spraying gorse and cutting scrub
make winter feed such as hay and silage
maintain farm buildings, yards and fences
handle and train dogs

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TRAITS OF A GOOD DAIRY FARM MANAGER
Farmers/farm managers will have the following skills:
-animal handling
-practical skills such as the ability to do fencing and use mechanical tools
-mathematical and business skills
-communication and organisational skills
-staff management
-driving skills to get around the farm by motorbike, tractor or farm utility
-general maintenance and basic mechanical skills.

Farmers/farm managers need to know:
-farm and business management
-stock and pasture management (efficient use of paddocks and grasslands)
-animal diseases
-spraying techniques and other weed and pest control methods
-how to use farm machinery and equipment safely

Farming is a lifestyle, so you must be enthusiastic about the job and lifestyle, and willing to work hard. Farmers/farm managers must also be confident, easy to get along with and open to new farming practices.

A reasonable level of fitness is required, as farmers/farm managers spend a lot of time walking around farmland, tending to animals and carrying out maintenance. Good health and stamina are important.

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING NEEDED
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At least three years secondary school education is recommended to become a farmer/farm manager. There are a number of high quality local courses available offering a national certificate, diploma or degree level qualification in agriculture. Enrolling in these courses is highly recommended.

Working on a farm as a general farm hand, shearer, shepherd or attending farming courses may be useful work experience for potential farmers/farm managers. Some experience with computers may also be helpful.

Most farming skills such as fencing, maintenance work, shearing, drenching, breaking in and training dogs, cattle and sheep management are learnt on the job.

Find Training Providers in our Education Directory:
Agriculture ITO
ILP Education & Training Ltd
Land Based Training Ltd
Massey University
Taratahi
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)

Local Industry Training Organisation (ITO)
Name: Agriculture Industry Training Organisation (AgITO)
Contact: Bev Jacson and Derek Gibson
Free Phone: 0800 691 111
Email: bevj@agricultureito.ac.nz
Website: http://www.agricultureito.ac.nz

STUDY COSTS
Course costs vary depending on the academic level of study and institute. Agriculture study costs for national certificates and diplomas are $1,500 to $2,800. Some training courses offered locally have fees up to $500.

CAREER PATHWAYS
Click here to view the Career Pathways diagram

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
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Farmers/farm managers live and work on farms. They might travel to buy stock from other farmers or travel to stock sales locally or around the country. Subsidised on-site accommodation is offered in most cases.

Equipment used on a farm may include:
-four-wheel drive motorbike
-farm truck
-tractor
-general farm tools such as hammers, spades, shovels and chainsaws
-spraying equipment such as hand-held spray guns
-a hand-piece for shearing and dagging

Farmers/farm managers work in and outdoors in all weather. Conditions on a farm can be dirty and smelly.

Work hours are variable and depend on the season. The busiest time for stock work on sheep and beef farms is mid-winter through to summer. Dairy farmers/farm managers may have to start work before dawn when milking.

Salaries vary between farms and many farmers are self-employed. On bigger farms, farm managers may receive additional bonuses such as discounted accommodation and use of a vehicle.

Farm managers have contact with farm owners, other farmers, neighbours, farm advisors, stock agents, veterinarians, and fertiliser and merchandise salespeople

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - Where can this qualification lead to in the future?
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The agriculture industry in Taranaki is the backbone of our local economy. Currently this industry is in a period of growth, with farms receiving good returns for their products due to solid commodity prices. For more infomation on finding employment on a Dairy Farm go to www.getfresh.co.nz

In the last 15 years farming has developed into a more intensive operation. Farms have become much bigger; a trend expected to continue as farmers buy neighboring properties and the average age of farmers is increasing. This means there will be fewer owner operators and increased demand for managers, who are already in short supply.

Farmers/farm managers need to have good business knowledge and planning skills as they are running big businesses with large sums of money tied up in land, stock, buildings and equipment. Tertiary qualifications will also be a valuable asset to people working in these roles 񠶩sit Massey University website for more details www.massey.ac.nz

Farm managers may move on to bigger properties as they gain experience. The job is also used as a stepping stone towards owning a farm.

There are many opportunities for farmers/farm managers to learn new ideas and farming practices from farm advisors and stock agents. Shearing and fencing schools are available to farmers/farm managers who want to update their skills.