Dairy hub seeks new manager
The Southern Dairy Hub is seeking a new farm manager following the resignation of Shane Griffin.
Griffin, who has only been employed in the role since June this year, has accepted a farm management role on a large property on the West Coast starting in the New Year.
Southern Dairy Hub Business Manager Guy Michaels said the hub was sorry to lose Griffin but understood his interest in the opportunity and wished him all the best.
‘’I’d like to thank Shane for all his help and input into the next stage of the SDH programme which has been very valuable to us,’’ Michaels said.
Michaels said they were looking at ways to support the current 2IC Charlie McGregor as interim manager while the hub starts looking for a replacement for Griffin.
The position, which is currently being advertised, is for a June 1, 2019, start or earlier if available.
The hub, situated at Wallacetown, near Invercargill, is in its second season milking close to 800 Friesian-Jersey cross cows on a 349 hectare property.
The cows are run in four herds and each herd has its own farmlet of 75ha within the farm system which enables research trials to be carried out.
All cows were wintered onfarm while the young stock were carried on an adjoining support block providing learning opportunities for a full dairy farm system. The aim was to produce 310,000 kilograms of milk solids across all farmlets for the 2018-19 season, Michaels said.
The new farm manager would be involved in the day-to-day running of a ‘’complex but rewarding’’ farm.
The hub currently employed 5.5 permanent staff and carried out research trials working with various scientists. The hub required someone who would be hands on in the operations of the farm on a daily basis and liaise with suppliers, contractors, report to the Board, and manage financial and feed budgets.
They must have full dairy farm system experience, including feed allocation, winter crop management and young stock management, Michaels said.
They would also need to be proficient with Microsoft office and have sound knowledge of animal husbandry.
Strong people leadership skills and a strong focus on health and safety was also a must, Michaels said.
A new four bedroom home would be available to the successful applicant.
The hub currently operates a roster of 8 days on 2 days off, 8 days on 3 days off.
Applications close January 15, 2019, and interviews will take place from January 21 to 25, 2019.
‘‘I’d like to thank Shane for all his help and input into the next stage of the SDH programme which has been very valuable to us.’’ Southern Dairy Hub business manager, Guy Michaels.