Job Details

Category: Sheep and Beef
Location: Hawke's Bay

Koanui Polled Herefords

Farm Manager | Koanui Farm

Day-to-Day running of Koanui Farm – running 400 MA Cows, raising 200 Bulls for Breeding, Sheep
740ha, Maraetotara Road, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay

Due to expansion of land holdings and with the aim of releasing the farm owners to enable us time to oversee the business we require an experienced and “hands-on” Farm Manager for Koanui farm. Koanui Farm is 740 ha in the Maraetotara, just 20 minutes from Havelock North.

The core business at Koanui Farm is the production of Hereford bulls for breeding with two on-farm bull sales held on site annually. We produce well described performance-recorded Hereford genetics with a worldwide reputation.

Koanui Farm has been in the family for over one hundred years. Here we calve down four hundred mixed aged Hereford cows, produce at least two hundred top breeding bulls including key herd sires and mate 1000 ewes producing terminal cross lambs.

The successful candidate will primarily conduct the day-to-day running of the Koanui home Farm. You will also be required to assist a young manager on our recently purchased Pukekura Station just 40 minutes drive away (20 minutes south of Havelock North down Middle Road). Pukekura Station needs immediate infrastructural development but will calve 250 two-year stud heifers plus run a ewe flock, stud weaners and finishing cattle.

The Koanui Farm Manager role is one for an experienced farmer manager. We need someone who demonstrates an energetic passion and interest in cattle breeding, healthy stock, and farming in general. You will report to the Stud managers and Owner/Directors, Chris and Jennifer Chesterman.

The role requires a person who:

• values a high standard of livestock performance and animal health.
• has a high standard of presentation,
• takes exceptional pride in their work,
• pays close attention to accurate detailed recording and careful asset management,
• can work towards key production targets and events involving complex organization,
• has a proven record of safe and compliant work practices.

Key responsibilities include: cow calf management; pasture management - pasture renewal and fodder cropping, and fodder conservation; fertilizer and weed management; implementation of the animal health plan; livestock feeding and water system maintenance; asset management – sheds buildings and plant and
equipment; farm improvement – fencing, tracks, water and general farm maintenance; Breeding Bull management and dispatch logistics; Ewe and lamb management. You will be working within the requirements of the stud but will need to take full responsibility for the running of the operation towards key events and production goals.

The farm is well developed with functional lane systems. Most day-to day stock work is conducted using a two-wheeled motorbike so a proven ability to ride two-wheeler is essential. Located just 20 minutes from Havelock North, Koanui offers lovely 4-bedroom homestead accommodation with ample shedding, plus a school bus at the gate into Havelock North Primary, Intermediate and High Schools. The remuneration package will reflect the energy, farm management skills, and experience of the successful applicant.

Our business, Koanui Polled Herefords Ltd, has farms in Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, and Canterbury. Our goal is to grow our registered Hereford breeding herd while farming sustainably and ethically to produce quality livestock; we will continue to finish all surplus stud stock, trade cattle and sheep, and increase our sheep flock. Our farm managers respond to the environmental challenges of farming by working together with the sharing of ideas, expertise and resources across the business. The primary goals are the production of bulls for breeding, the maintenance of a top-quality Hereford herd, the finishing all surplus stock within the business, and the production of quality lambs from a healthy ewe flock.

Our business has scope and scale. Our successful farm managers across the country are thriving within a dynamic and exciting environment of business growth led by the owners/directors Chris and Jennifer Chesterman who have a stringent eye for detail and pride in their business combined with a wealth of experience in the industry.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter including at least two referees to info@koanuiherefords.co.nz

Applications will close January 11, 2025, unless the successful applicant is found earlier.

Date Posted: 2025-12-15