DairyNZ wants people who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 know there is plenty of work on dairy farms, especially in Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland – and that they might well earn more than in their previous role. 

With the national unemployment rate forecast to rise sharply due to COVID-19, DairyNZ is encouraging people to consider work on dairy farms in a new Go Dairy campaign that also includes entry level training to help their transition to farming. 

DairyNZ’s chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said there were 100 jobs up for grabs on dairy farms immediately.

“As the new season gets under way on June 1, even more positions are likely to become available,” Dr Mackle said. “For people who’re looking for work and like the idea of caring for animals and the environment, there are lots of jobs – and career progression opportunities.” 

People interested in knowing more about working on dairy farms, where the jobs are and the introductory training can visit the website to register their interest.

While the Go Dairy career changers campaign, which is supported by Federated Farmers, aims to create awareness of the job opportunities, there is a big emphasis on ensuring new staff understand what is involved in farm life.

“We want a win-win situation – for new dairy farming employees to be happy and fulfilled in their new lifestyle and jobs, and for farm employers to have great talent working for them,” Dr Mackle said. 

He added that dairy also paid one of the highest average wages of all the primary sectors.

“For the most part, we’re anticipating interested people will be from the regions where there are big job losses in tourism and hospitality – and where there is dairying close by.

Career pathway

Dr Mackle said that while new entrants to dairy farming would start off in the more junior roles, they could anticipate a rewarding career pathway.

“Even though they are new to farming, many people already have skills that are readily transferrable and valued on dairy farms,” he said. 

“This is because dairy farming these days is quite diverse and there are many roles, from doing the farm books, to working with machinery, working with animals, and managing staff, and making full use of technology along the way.

“Skills from previous work – and a determination to give their best – will see people new to farming quickly progress from a farm assistant position to herd manager and then other management roles, and even ownership later on.”  

Current statistics show of the 48,000 people employed in the dairy sector, 34,000 are working on dairy farms – the remainder in processing and support operations.

Dr Mackle said opening the door to new people would also help fill the gap this coming season that farm employers had in the recent years of low unemployment filled with new migrant staff, who were now impacted by border restrictions. 

He confirmed that DairyNZ was among those in the rural sector working with the Government to ensure the 4500 migrant staff already living in New Zealand and working in farm teams could have existing visas extended. 

“Even with all the current migrant dairy staff being retained, there is still the shortfall of at least 1000 employees for the new dairy season that starts in just three weeks,” Dr Mackle said.

“Indeed, ensuring farm employers can keep all their experienced staff, including these migrant staff, will assist them in training new recruits coming in from other sectors, and successfully settling them into their new farming lives.” 

Key facts for Go Dairy career changers

• Pay: The annual pay scale in dairy farming averages $42,000 for farm assistants starting out in farming careers, rising to $50,000-$55,000 for herd and assistant manager positions, and $70,000 upwards for farm managers.
• Where are the jobs? Dairy farm jobs are available in all of the country’s major dairying regions, in particular Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.  
• Training: DairyNZ is finalising the details of the Go Dairy ‘farm ready’ course for career changers who are serious about a farming career. The course will provide information about life and work on a farm and teach the basics of animal handling and vehicle safety.  
• Once on farm, Go Dairy career changers will be supported on the job by the farm employer and colleagues. As many farm staff already do, they can choose to go on to learn more and obtain formal qualifications through courses provided by Primary ITOs, Dairy Training, regional polytechnics and other training providers. 

To find out more visit the Go Dairy Career Changers website or phone 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969).