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Sharemilker

Kaiwhakahaere Mīraka Kau

Sharemilkers either milk a dairy farmer's cows for a profit share, or own a herd of cows and milk them on an owner's land for a profit share.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but agricultural and horticultural science, digital technologies, maths and English to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for sharemilkers includes:

  • working with animals 
  • farm, forestry, engineering or labouring work
  • using technology
  • driving farm vehicles and machinery
  • managing a business.

What you will do

Sharemilkers may do some or all of the following:

  • provide labour, shed costs, electricity and vehicles on farms
  • own, manage and milk herds of cows 
  • manage farming activities on behalf of farm owners
  • be responsible for calf rearing and cattle reproduction
  • negotiate profit-sharing contracts with dairy owners or farm companies
  • buy and sell livestock
  • follow health and safety and wellbeing procedures.

Skills and knowledge

Sharemilkers need to have knowledge of:

  • sharemilking contracts and payment arrangements
  • dairy farming practices
  • accounting and business practices.
Pay

Sharemilkers usually earn

$64K-$97K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a sharemilker are good due to a shortage of workers and high demand for their services.

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Sharemilkers either milk a dairy farmer's cows for a profit share, or own a herd of cows and milk them on an owner's land for a profit share.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a sharemilker. However, a relevant training course is recommended as dairy farmers prefer to work with trained or experienced sharemilkers.

A business, science or agricultural related certificate, diploma or degree in science, commerce, business or economics will help advance your dairy career. 

Apprenticeships 

Apprentices earn while they learn and develop their skills and career prospects through on-the-job experience over two or three years. Apprenticeships are available through different dairy industry organisations and companies. 

Chances of getting a job

High demand for sharemilkers

Chances of getting a job as a sharemilker are good because there is a shortage of workers and high demand for people with dairy farming skills.

Experienced sharemilkers are particularly in demand throughout the milking season. About 40% of New Zealand dairy farms use sharemilkers.

Dairy cattle farmer (sharemilker) appears on Immigration New Zealand's regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled sharemilkers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 26,541 dairy cattle farmers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Self-employment usual among sharemilkers

Sharemilkers are self-employed and negotiate and set up profit-sharing contracts with dairy farmers.

Find out more about training

GoDairy
0800 4324 7969 - info@dairynz.co.nz - www.godairy.co.nz
Primary ITO
0800 208 020 - info@primaryito.ac.nz - www.primaryito.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Sharemilkers may progress to other roles in the dairy industry such as:

Sharemilkers can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Contract Milker
Contract milkers pay for a percentage of the farm costs (without owning the cows) and receive a set price per kilogram of milk solids.
Variable or Lower Order Sharemilker
Variable or lower order sharemilkers manage farm property and are paid a percentage of milk income.
Herd Owning or 50:50 Sharemilker
Herd owning or 50:50 sharemilkers supply the herd and operate the farm for its owner. 

Working conditions

Sharemilkers:

  • usually start early in the morning and work until late afternoon
  • may work long hours during peak times, and can work six days a week
  • work on farms and in milking sheds
  • work outside with animals, crops and machinery in all weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

Sharemilkers need to have a good level of fitness as dairy farm work can be physically demanding.

Useful personal qualities

Sharemilkers need to be:

  • confident and caring with animals
  • practical
  • hardworking and motivated
  • responsible 
  • willing to learn
  • able to work under pressure and in a team.

Industry

Agriculture and Horticulture

Sharemilkers either milk a dairy farmer's cows for a profit share, or own a herd of cows and milk them on an owner's land for a profit share.

Similar jobs in this industry

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