An intro into the roles on a dairy farm, where to find the right role for you, understanding what you need in a job and how you can progress your career in dairy.

Working on a dairy farm is a great job and lifestyle choice for many. Before diving in it's good to know what a career in dairying could look like and understand whether it's the best fit for you.

A 2024/25 study of 10 New Zealand dairy farms explored how tech, milking frequency, and people management boost productivity. See the impact on performance, expenses, and task efficiency via seasonal comparisons across the farms.

As part of the DairyNZ-led Plantain Potency and Practice programme, trials at Lincoln and Massey universities tested how plantain affects nitrogen leaching, pasture persistence and farm productivity under different soil and climate conditions.

Success for this Western Southland farm is driven by a simple, pasture based farm system that is implemented by excellent farm staff. Good farm and strong financial management ensures operating expenses remain below industry average. 

Mastitis can be a significant cost on dairy farms, making timely detection important. There are mastitis detection tools and technologies available in New Zealand that can support, but not replace, good mastitis management and farmer judgement.

Moving animals on and off farm has its risks. A common way for mastitis bacteria to be introduced into a herd is in the udders of cows that are brought in. These bacteria can spread rapidly through a herd, so it is important to mitigate risk factors.

Mastitis is one of the most common and costly animal health issues on dairy farms. Understanding the basics will help you protect cow health, maintain milk quality, and do your job confidently in the milking shed.

Understand what El Niño could mean for your farm and region, with practical advice to plan early, manage feed and water, protect animal welfare, and use tools and support to prepare for changing conditions.

Farming can be an amazing job – but it can also be stressful and demanding. Discover how to spot the signs of burnout and stress, how to stay well, and where to find help when it's needed.

Protecting, restoring and creating wetlands on farm can help improve water quality, reduce the impact of floods, and create habitat for native plants and animals.

As a veterinarian in the dairy industry, your insights help shape resilient, profitable and sustainable farm businesses. To support your work, we offer apps and resources designed to help you analyse, plan, and support farmers with confidence.

As a fertiliser advisor, your expertise already drives nutrient planning and paddock performance. This hub supports your broader farm systems knowledge, offering resources to help you confidently advise on feed demand, pasture, and seasonal planning.