I travelled to New Zealand for a working holiday. I am working across 2 farms. This one runs a 700 cow crossbred herd. It is a very low cost system and I have learned a lot here. Cows are milked in a 60 bail Westfalia rotary parlour.

I am working part time on this farm. 450 high yielding cows are milked in an 80 unit Westfalia herringbone parlour. It is a grass based system with slightly higher feed intake than average, considering the cow type. The herd is made up of Friesians, German Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Jersey cows. All livestock are outwintered and calve on an outdoor pad. Production at present is 34 litres (2.6 kilos milk solids). Mating season began just under 2 weeks ago. 2 full time labour… Show more I am working part time on this farm. 450 high yielding cows are milked in an 80 unit Westfalia herringbone parlour. It is a grass based system with slightly higher feed intake than average, considering the cow type. The herd is made up of Friesians, German Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Jersey cows. All livestock are outwintered and calve on an outdoor pad. Production at present is 34 litres (2.6 kilos milk solids). Mating season began just under 2 weeks ago. 2 full time labour units are required on this farm through the year, with relief drafted in during calving/mating. The Allflex Sensehub collar and monitoring system is in place on the farm and is very effective. Show less

I completed the breeding season on this farm, which was in its first year of operation. Previously it had been a beef enterprise. Some of the beef unit remained, and there was an 80 cow dairy herd running alongside it. These were mainly Friesian cows, but with some Jersey genetics in the herd, both milk quality and yield was impressive.

After one year in Stokestown Dairies, I was delighted to progress to a management role. The farm is extremely well run, with a simple grass based system in place. Genetics being excellent, it made for a great place to learn and add to my skillset. It is a 400 cow crossbred herd, milked in a 50 bail Waikato rotary parlour. Replacement heifers move off farm at 3 months of age, once weaned. The farm is run in partnership between the farm owner and another well established farmer… Show more After one year in Stokestown Dairies, I was delighted to progress to a management role. The farm is extremely well run, with a simple grass based system in place. Genetics being excellent, it made for a great place to learn and add to my skillset. It is a 400 cow crossbred herd, milked in a 50 bail Waikato rotary parlour. Replacement heifers move off farm at 3 months of age, once weaned. The farm is run in partnership between the farm owner and another well established farmer from Co. Longford. The focus here was on maximising tonnes of grass grown and utilised, as well as maintaining impressive milk production at low cost. Show less

This farm was in its conversion to dairy when I commenced working here. Previously in sheep and tillage, we calved 400 crossbred heifers in spring 2020. There were very few teething issues considering that it was a farm business in its infancy. The main focus was running a simple, grass based, profitable and sustainable business. Staff turnover has been low since the dairy enterprise was established, which is commendable.

During my final year of college, I worked part time here. This was mainly relief milking and calf rearing. When I finished college in May 2019, I took up a full time role. I gained a lot of valuable experience and knowledge working for this company. They specialise in livestock sourcing and sales. I worked on the home farm where a flying herd is milked. Calving is ongoing throughout the year. I was managing the everyday running of the dairy parlour which was a 16 unit DeLaval… Show more During my final year of college, I worked part time here. This was mainly relief milking and calf rearing. When I finished college in May 2019, I took up a full time role. I gained a lot of valuable experience and knowledge working for this company. They specialise in livestock sourcing and sales. I worked on the home farm where a flying herd is milked. Calving is ongoing throughout the year. I was managing the everyday running of the dairy parlour which was a 16 unit DeLaval swing over herringbone. I specifically gained some valuable sales experience in this role, and learned how to deal with customers on a professional level. As well as this, I learned what attributes make a saleable dairy animal, and what goes into maintaining a profitable family business with a strong reputation. I attended some shows during my time here also and made connections with many excellent farmers and contacts. Show less

During my final year of college, I worked part time on a local pig farm. My main duties were care of young stock, managing the farrowing sows, treatment of sick animals as well as feeding and drafting pigs. I also assisted with maintaining health records and presenting paperwork for farm inspections.

I spent a summer working for a largely successful construction company in Long Island, New York. My duties included assisting with weekly payroll and general accounting work.

This was part of my college farm placement. In extreme weather conditions, a new dairy enterprise was established. 500 Irish crossbred heifers were calved and milked in a 54 bail Milfos rotary parlour. It was a cold, wet spring, followed by a drought. This brought some challenges to the experience, and I learned a lot working here. It was my first introduction to large scale, highly profitable dairy farming and it certainly paved the way for me and my career.