A career in dairy
A diverse range of opportunities
Research
Discovering new knowledge and solving industry issues
• Post graduate training
– traditionally through universities
– as part of an employment package – eg DairyNZ graduate
programme
• Employers
– DairyNZ, Crown Research Institutes, Milk processing companies,
Universities, overseas research organisations
• Roles
– Scientist, field or lab technician, science management, research
farm management
• Opportunities
– flexibility, job variability, working with industry, overseas travel,
conference attendance, career development, presenting to
farmers
Research
Kirsty McLeod
• B.Sc (Hons) in Agricultural Science & BBS in Agribusiness,
Massey University 2002-2006.
• Currently employed by DairyNZ as a Science Intern.
• Plans to undertake post-graduate studies with DairyNZ
Karen Turnbull
• B.Sc (Hons) Lincoln University
• Ex Christchurch GHS
• Currently completing her PhD at the University of Queensland.
Thesis Title: Increased efficiency of microbial protein production
in rumen through manipulation of nutrients and rumen microbial
populations.
• Awarded a Meat and Livestock Australia Junior Research
Fellowship in 2006
Development
Packaging knowledge into tools, services and extension
programmes for use by farmers
• Employers
– DairyNZ, Fonterra, Crown research institutes
• Roles
– Quasi research projects through to development of
extension programmes
• Opportunities
– Working with leading researchers, helping to implement
change on dairy farms, ability to build tools and programmes
for on-farm use, networking with a wide range of rural
professionals, overseas travel, conference presentations
Development
Carolyn Bushell (nee Chitty)
• B.Applied Science (Hons), Massey University.
• Business Developer for DairyNZ in Hamilton.
Annabel Craw (nee McCartney)
• B.Commerce (Food), Lincoln University
• Ex Rangi Ruru School for Girls,,
• South Island DairyBase Farm Financial Analyst for DairyNZ.
Extension
Working with farmers to improve their business
• Employers
– DairyNZ, PGG Wrightson, Farmwise, Farmright, other
consultancy firms
• Roles
– Group facilitation, extension programme delivery, one-one
consultation, feed budgeting, fieldday facilitation, technical
training,
• Opportunities
– Working in the field, networking with leading farmers,
developers and scientists, instigating practice change on
farms, judging dairy competitions, continually learning and
developing new skills, advocates for the industry, company
car, job flexibility
Extension
Randall Aspinall
• B.Agr Sci (Hons), Lincoln University, 1999-2002
• Consultant for PGG – Wrightson, Invercargill.
Matthew Rice
• B.Agr Sci, Lincoln University ,2004-2007
• Dairy Consultant with Effluent and Irrigation Design, Hamilton.
Support Industries
Providing services to the dairy sector
• Employers
– Feed, fertiliser, seed and milk companies, banks,
agricultural suppliers eg RD1, CRT, ATS
• Roles
– Technical advisors, sales, nutrient budgeting, feed
budgeting, financial budgeting, planning, mentoring
• Opportunities
– Working with farmers, company car, in the field, may work
out of home, job flexibility, networking with a wide range of
rural professionals
Support Industries
Gary Breen
• B.Agr Sci (Hons), Lincoln University, 1998-2001
• Area Manager Pfizer Animal Health Pfizer, New Zealand.
Kim Leigh-McKenzie
• B.Sc (Animal Science), Massey University, 2002-2004
• Field Officer, Summit QuinPhos, Northland
Farming
Operating a multi-million dollar dairy farming business
• Employers
– Other dairy farmers, corporates, equity partnerships,
YOURSELF
• Roles
– Farm or herd managers, Sharemilkers, Equity partners,
Operation managers, Farm owners
• Opportunities
– Working outdoors, career progression, job flexibility and
diversity, industry leadership, enormous wealth creation, skill
development, technical and practical
– Large scale, complex businesses, where financial and
strategic planning are crucial. Practical skills and an
understanding of interactions (soil, plant, animal, climate,
nutrients, supply chain etc) are also required.
Farming
Georgina Mackie
• B.Agr Sci (Hons), Lincoln University, 2003-2006
• Ex Rangi Ruru School for Girls
• Dairy farming in Southland with her partner, a DairyNZ
Consulting Officer
Bradley Lewis
• B.Agr Sci (Hons), Lincoln University, 2004-2007
• Senior Dairy Assistant/Trainee Herd Manager near Rangiora
Employment Prospects
• Labour market survey - 2004
– Agriculture, environment and related studies had
85.5% of the graduates employed compared with
only 13.7% of IT graduates employed
– 41% of agricultural graduates were employed in
agriculture compared with only 13% of creative
arts graduates working in cultural and recreational
services
– Natural and physical sciences had the highest
proportion of graduates earning > $50000
compared with creative arts, hospitality and IT
having the highest proportion earning <$20000.
– Natural and physical sciences had the greatest
proportion of females earning >$50000
NZ Dairy Industry Scholarship Graduates
Employment 2008
3%
1%
6%
22%
Dairy Farming
9%
Rural Professionals/Consulting
Rural Banking
Fonterra
5%
DairyNZ
Post Graduate studies
3%
Environment/Science jobs
Other farming (overseas as well)
6%
Overseas
Job Seeking
23%
5%
Accounting
Other Industries
8%
9%