Farm Manager - Aurora Dairies

Candidates without full long term Australian working rights will not be considered for this role, this includes those on employer sponsored visas (482 or 492) or working holiday visas (417 or 462).

About Aurora Dairies

Aurora Dairies is committed to a long-term investment in the Australian Dairy Industry and operates a portfolio of 57 dairy farms, 50 across south-eastern Australia, as well as 7 dairy farms in New Zealand.

Aurora relies on local expertise to operate and improve the productivity of its dairy farms by employing and developing great people, investing in technology, farm development strategies, and supporting infrastructure. Aurora’s operating culture prioritises the health and safety of its employees - inclusive of a strong work-life balance, animal welfare and seeks to positively contribute to the environment and communities in which Aurora operates.

Aurora Dairies are currently seeking a Farm Manager for a dairy farm in Kongorong, located 20 minutes from Mt Gambier in Southeast South Australia. The farm is approximately 380ha in total with 125ha under pivot irrigation and 50ha of dryland lucerne.

Currently milking 700 Jersey cows, through a 30-unit Swing over Herringbone shed with ACR’s and in-shed feeding, GEA dairy plan computer program for herd records. The farm is predominantly pasture based with grain fed in the dairy. This farm is 50% Spring and 50% Autumn calving starting in August and February.

Accommodation will be provided to the successful applicant in a 4 bedroom family home, and opportunities for employment for your partner on one of our nearby farms will be available if required.

As Farm Manager you will need to be a team player creating an environment where people can develop to help achieve desired outcomes. You will have well developed pasture management and animal husbandry skills and understand the demands of large scale dairy farming. Safety will be at the forefront of everything you do.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will:

• Ensure safe operations across the property through the implementation of our Safety Management System
• Manage and direct staff to achieve positive outcomes
• Exhibit sound and accurate judgement to ensure the highest standards of animal health and welfare
• Report on farm plans and inventory
• Paddock inspection estimating quality and availability of pastures    
• Implement stock rotations and contribute to plans for future feed budgets
• Feed management to support achievement of budgeted production targets
• Monitor and maintain water and fencing
• Maintain accurate stock, treatment, and feeding records
• Operate and maintain plant and equipment
• Coordinate contractors for required fertiliser, hay/silage making activities
• Implement sustainable farming practices
• Adhere to company policies and safe work procedures.

The desired skills and experience for this opportunity are:

You will be an energetic, and self-motivated individual with strong cattle and pasture management skills, who is keen to get stuck in and get the job done. You can work well on your own but equally works in very well amongst a team - we have eight dairy farms in the Mt Gambier region and our Farm Managers meet regularly as a team for peer group meetings to share advice and support each other to achieve goals.

You will have:

• Previous experience as a Dairy Farm Manager in a large-scale livestock operation
• People management skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct peers and work as a valuable team member
• Reporting and computer skills
• Demonstrated ability to follow and implement budgeted outcomes to optimise profitability
• Demonstrated experience in the management and handling of livestock
• Pasture based farming experience
• Initiative to complete operational tasks that contribute to the team
• Ability to support and implement safe work procedures
• Willingness to learn new systems of work.

What makes Aurora Dairies unique?

• A true safety focus across the entire company. Safety first, what’s the rush. Aurora Dairies was the WorkSafe Victoria 2021 winner of the Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm Award.
• A strong focus on fatigue management and work hours. We pride ourselves on work-life balance.
• Opportunities to grow your career both on the farm or with broader horizons through professional development and other training opportunities. Learning and development of our people is a strong focus at all levels of the organisation.
• An organisation that has made commitments to sustainability and is putting that into action.
• Being part of an organisation of which integrity, trust and collaboration are their core values.

If you have a passion for dairy and agriculture and are looking for your next step in a progressive dairy company, please submit your updated resume and cover letter as soon as possible as applications will be assessed as they received. 

For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or you can contact Peter Van Zyl (General Manager) on 0447 677 021.

Please note, we may only make contact with you if your profile is suitable to the requirements of this position. Applicants without Australian working rights cannot be considered for this role, including those on working holiday visas and employer sponsored visas.