Job Details

Category: Sheep and Beef
Location: Hawke's Bay

Rural Directions

Shepherd Roles - Junior and Intermediate / Senior - Brownrigg Agriculture

• Located in Te Aute within close proximity to Hastings and Waipawa.
  
  
• Farm Manager has an excellent practical and technical skill set to learn off.
  
  
• Remunerated on an hourly rate basis with a generous total package value.

WHERE

Based in Hawke’s Bay, Brownrigg Agriculture is one of the largest privately-owned agribusinesses in New Zealand, growing a range of natural farm produce of excellent provenance. With a long-term focus, it has the scale and internal controls to be a highly reliable supplier of premium products across its range of activities, spanning production cropping (export squash, onions, maize) through to lamb and cattle finishing.

With an overall farming footprint of 7,000 hectares of freehold and leasehold land, the Brownrigg Agriculture livestock enterprise leverages the natural pasture production strengths of the group’s farming operations in Hawke’s Bay. Recently changing how they farm to offer more career progression to their valued team, the management structure has been reviewed and an amalgamation of 10 farms to five enables a greater level of on-farm leadership and responsibility.

All livestock produced is farmed to high standards of animal husbandry and traceability, specialising in winter lamb finishing and bull-beef farming. Improved forages play a key part of the programme, and strong systems have been developed to drive production.

To find out more visit https://www.brownrigg.co.nz/

WHAT

Te Aute Station is a finishing powerhouse of approximately 2,000ha (depending on cash cropping commitments), in the second year of an amalgamation process that sees Brownrigg Agriculture testing how best to unlock productivity. It is a mixed farming operation, with lamb and beef finishing combined with high value cash crops in the summer and lamb grazing through winter. With about 700ha of flats, 500ha of rolling country, and the balance in steeper hills there is plenty of mustering and dog work on offer.

This year this block is on track to finish 45,000 lambs, mostly winter and early spring sold, with a flexible bull beef policy operating alongside. Year-round, it is home to an Angus breeding cow herd to graze steeper areas suited to the animal class. A mix of forages drive animal performance, including lucerne, plantain, chicory, kale, and winter annual grasses.


To read more about the position and farm layout/business structure please visit – https://bit.ly/3TLpx1w

WHO

Working closely in a farm team of five – the Farm Manager, Stock Manager (2IC), another shepherd plus these two shepherding roles – you will help to drive farm performance and ensure smooth operations of the farm.

Intermediate/Senior Shepherd:

You will be actively involved in implementing farm plans, ensuring feed quality targets and grazing plans are achieved, and keeping farm pride standards high.

Alongside the farm team, additional support is available from a shared general team (Farm Support Team). Your day-to-day will include stock shifts, grazing assessment and feedback, animal health treatments, crutching / dagging, weighing / sorting stock, and general farm maintenance (including fencing repairs).

The successful applicant will be driven and have the desire to continually progress themselves and the property. To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Good understanding of the fundamentals of farming.
  
  
• High level of stockmanship with a team of 3 – 5 working dogs.
  
  
• Excellent communication skills and a positive approach.
  
  
• A desire to learn and develop your skills.
  
  
• Interest and ability in utilising technology and modern systems.
  
  
• Accurate record keeping skills.
  
  
• A commitment to being safe at work.

Junior Shepherd:

Brownrigg Agriculture offer a unique learning environment with their depth of expertise within the business, from the leadership team through to the broadly skilled Farm Support Team. There is now an opportunity for a Junior Shepherd to join the team at Te Aute Station who can demonstrate a commitment to learning and who has some previous exposure to livestock farming, either through school or some industry experience. You will be involved in both stock and general work in this role.

It is not a requirement for the successful applicant to have working dogs upon starting this role as they will be mentored and helped into them over time. Being physically fit, having a great attitude and a commitment to moving forward in the industry are all that you require.

WHY

• A generous total remuneration package is on offer for each of these roles which includes an accommodation allowance and a travel allowance.
  
  
• A young farm manager who is supportive, driven, strong team person, good mentor.
  
  
• Through guidance of the Farm Manager, you will develop a strong understanding of feed management with a range of crops.
  
  
• Opportunity for continued growth by way of refining your skills and gaining valuable experience across the entire business.
  
  
• Both of these roles are remunerated on an hourly rate basis, meaning you will reap the benefits of additional pay for all hours worked.
  
  
• The location offers a lot of opportunities and Hawke’s Bay is home to a variety of outdoor activities from beaches, wineries, sporting, and social opportunities.
  
  
• Brownrigg Agriculture has a strong culture of its own and in-itself is a thriving and busy community.

TO APPLY OR VIEW THE JOB INFORMATION FORM PLEASE VISIT

WWW.RURALDIRECTIONS.CO.NZ/JOBS

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.

Date Posted: 2024-09-27