Farm Manager Waio Station, Castlepoint

Due to a career advancing opportunity arising for the current manager, Waio Station has an opening for a dynamic broadly skilled farm manager. This is likely to suit an ambitious, experienced senior shepherd/2IC looking to develop their skills and responsibility, or a more senior manager wishing to ease into a smaller farm; with a great coastal lifestyle and opportunity to take on innovative management.

This position will prove very fulfilling to an individual who wishes to demonstrate their ability to achieve ‘above average livestock performance' in a hill country sheep and beef operation. The property is situated on the coast immediately to the north of Castlepoint and commands spectacular views of the ocean and Castlepoint Headland. The manager will have access to a near-new three-bedroom cottage with ocean views and be part of the Castlepoint and Whakataki communities.

Waio is a very well-presented property following substantial investment in fencing and buildings including a homestead renovation, new managers dwelling, new woolshed and covered yards and a capital fertiliser program. There are around 300 hectares of effective grazing land, including 80 ha of cropping on gully flats and terraces. Waio currently winters between 2,200- 2,400 SU with a 135% lambing and 95% calving in recent years.

The position will provide opportunities for professional development from formal and informal interaction with the station’s owners (one of whom is a large animal veterinarian) and farm management advisor. The owners are experienced farmers and live on the farm and will manage the farm administration. The manager will participate in our local and dynamic farm management discussion group, and farm benchmarking activities. In addition to ongoing informal communication, the manager will participate in regular farm management meetings with the owners and farm advisor to develop (or revise) stock management, farm feed and financial budgets and overall management plan. We use a range of farm management apps and tools including Farmax for farm modelling, eShepherd collars on our cows for virtual fencing and drones for undertaking lamb beats and spraying operations. We will provide whatever support for our new Manager to fully engage and benefit from these innovative technologies.

There is a great play group and a primary school 15 minutes away at Tinui with a school bus that picks up and drops off at the front gate. Masterton has excellent secondary schools and a bus service from Tinui.

Essential qualities The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. A thorough understanding of high-yielding sheep and beef management practices in temperate environments such as the Wairarapa. 2. Ability to closely monitor, understand, and effectively respond to, pasture and livestock condition using rotational grazing (truck and trailer approach) and body condition scoring. 3. Demonstrated skills in growing out young stock (heifers, steers, ewe hoggets and trade lambs). 4. Ability to identify, achieve or exceed, livestock performance and marketing target objectives; and to identify and cull animals which are unable to meet these objectives. 5. Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise work tasks. 6. Willingness to work alone where necessary and undertake a variety of farm work as required (e.g. fencing, basic mechanical work, basic building and construction work; livestock grazing management, jetting, drenching, docking, marking etc.). 7. Ability, and willingness, to undertake occasional crutching and shearing of animals missing routine operations. 8. Able to communicate and cooperate effectively, verbally and via email, with farm owners, farm advisors, contractors, neighbours, meat works and local businesses. 9. Ownership of a small team of experienced work dogs. Ability to manage and control these dogs effectively in the management of livestock. 10. Regular monthly reporting to owners (status of feed, stock, climate, stock reconciliations, projects, expenditure etc) and ability to keep farm records on a digital platform (mobile phone reception is available throughout the farm).

Desirable qualities The following characteristics will be looked upon favourably: 1. Interest and skills in (or willingness to learn), progressive livestock management techniques (such as livestock nutritional and reproductive management, genetic improvement, animal health and husbandry eg. virtual fencing collars). 2. Knowledge and understanding of, and experience in, using farm management apps including Farmax. 3. Mechanical abilities including small machinery repairs and welding. 4. Solid tractor driving experience for feeding out baleage and drilling crops. 5. On-farm home-kill and butchering skills. 6. Ability to responsibly oversee deer and pig management program. 7. A good sense of humour and cheerful disposition.

Waio Station is an equal opportunity employer.