Goat Farm Assistant

• Minimum 30 hours per week guaranteed.
• Employee housing is available on-site. Accommodation may be shared or private, depending on availability at the time of successful placement. No pets allowed.
• Drive-in applicants must be able to demonstrate they can reliably meet the requirements of the roster; candidates residing outside a reasonable commuting distance who are unwilling to relocate may be considered unsuitable for these operational reasons.

Applicants must have the following as per employer’s requirement: 

• Applicants must be physically fit.
•  Applicants must pass pre-employment drug test.
•  Applicants must provide a CV.
•  Must have a driver licence.

The main objectives of the company are to produce high quality goat's milk for sale to Dairy Goat Co- operative. Breeding high quality dairy goats with superior genetics for the New Zealand and export market.

Job Description:

The Tasks include:

• To take responsibility for ensuring the overall process of milking runs smoothly
• To ensure the goats are efficiently and regularly milked.
• To assist with any herd testing scheduled through for quality issues.
• To clean and maintain the farm dairy, plant and equipment and feed pad to an adequate standard, as directed by the farm owner.
• To ensure all goats receive teat spray at each milking.
• To assist/manage the milk quality of the herd and ensure finest quality milk is supplied to the milk company
• Maintaining fences, equipment and water supply systems
• To assist/maintain timely and accurate records
• Ensure all heat records taken and made available for the Farm Owner
• Ensure all individual Goats mating’s are recorded and made available to
  the Farm Owner.
• Assist/manage the service bucks to ensure a successful buck mating program is implemented.
• Assist/maintain all herd and animal health records using specified Farm Policy, including maintaining physical tags in the herd.
• Assist with kidding Goats to maximize Goats and kid survival rates.
• Maintain the kid rearing sheds and rearing equipment.
• Identify and treat mastitis Goats as directed by the Farm Owner.
• Keep records of all mastitis treatments administered and make available to Farm Owner in timeframes as directed by the Farm Owner.
• Assist with implementation of dry Goats therapy program.
• Assist with the vaccination and drenching programs for the herd throughout the season.
• Implement the program for prevention and treatment of facial eczema.
• Identify, treat and record any lameness promptly.
• Assist/monitor the overall feed situation and implement the feed allocation to the herd as instructed.
• Assist/implement the supplementary feeding program for the herd.
• Assist/implement the cropping and or re- grassing programs for the farm as directed by the Farm Owner.
• Assist with silage and haymaking on the property.
• Ensure water supply issues are identified promptly and assist with their repair.
• Assist/maintain electric fence integrity to provide acceptable current levels.
• Assist with maintaining farm races, culverts, drains, tracks and trough surrounds.
• Keep clean, maintain and use carefully all machinery and vehicles used on the farm.
• Follow the Farm Health and Safety Program and act as a role model for safe practices on the farm.
• Advise Farm Owner in a timely manner of any leave plans.
• Complete performance reviews with the farm owner.
• Agreed training programmes completed. 
• Ensure the farm runs smoothly, according to plan, and important issues are reported.

Please provide us with information as to your eligibility to work in New Zealand – if you are on a temporary visa or if you are a New Zealand citizen/resident.