Doing placement in New Zealand

Cow Man11

I'm in second year of Ag Science and hoping to go to NZ for placement in January. Wondering if anyone on here has done this or has advice on farms/areas they recommend or places to avoid. I was looking at the Purata group of farms as it seems like a good example of large scale dairying.

Timmaay

Cow Man11 wrote: »

I'm in second year of Ag Science and hoping to go to NZ for placement in January. Wondering if anyone on here has done this or has advice on farms/areas they recommend or places to avoid. I was looking at the Purata group of farms as it seems like a good example of large scale dairying.

Jan the wrong time of the year to go, it's their summertime, August and September are much more common. Having said that you could still probably find a job milking there then

GrasstoMilk

Timmaay wrote: »

Jan the wrong time of the year to go, it's their summertime, August and September are much more common. Having said that you could still probably find a job milking there then

Calving would be the real ideal time to go but you would still learn a lot no matter what time of year mate of mine went over on his own 3 years ago from November to January. Learned a lot and didn't have to go picking up mick my calves in the pissing rain

mycro2013

I can't figure out the fascination with heading to nz for experience. Alot of lads get a raw deal. The key for work experience is to sample something different. I'd head to echuca Melbourne Australia. They have scale,climate and some of the most productive herds in the world.

carrollsno1

Im here at the moment does your college not help organize your placement? I was telling a friends brother to come out at that time of the year simply because its going to be an easy time of the year then here, why would you stay in ireland where the host farmer doesnt have to pay you afaik or if your in ag college you get €3-€4/hour. At least youll get some sort of a better wage than that and you can go sky diving white water rafting etc on your days off

yosemitesam1

mycro2013 wrote: »

I can't figure out the fascination with heading to nz for experience. Alot of lads get a raw deal. The key for work experience is to sample something different. I'd head to echuca Melbourne Australia. They have scale,climate and some of the most productive herds in the world.

+1. You're much better putting effort into finding someone who's very good at what they do, bigger farms aren't always a good place to learn...

mycro2013

It is also instilling the wrong culture in farmers. The usual theme I hear is "sure they do in it new Zealand".

Keepgrowing

If my son was in your shoes I'd like him to go to NZ. I'd like him to go to a smaller operation at some stage of his placement in order to get experience in all facets of farming not just swinging cups in a parlour.

I'd suggest looking to Wales or southern England. Some of the best and most business focussed operators I've met are from there.

On the money point, I'd work for free for a good operation where I'd learn. The knowledge is the payback.

One or two wondering what the favination with NZ is, from my experience it's their attitude is the biggest take home. They really bring business management and planning to another level.

carrollsno1

mycro2013 wrote: »

It is also instilling the wrong culture in farmers. The usual theme I hear is "sure they do in it new Zealand".

Exactly why they should come over and get rid of the negative attitude like the one you have. Were only young once at least if they learn sweet F of A out here it will stand to them in terms of personal development if nothing else

Conflats

Cow Man11 wrote:

I'm in second year of Ag Science and hoping to go to NZ for placement in January. Wondering if anyone on here has done this or has advice on farms/areas they recommend or places to avoid. I was looking at the Purata group of farms as it seems like a good example of large scale dairying.

Look up a company called Celtic connections. They have helped people who went to nz when I was in college a few years back

carrollsno1

Conflats wrote: »

Look up a company called Celtic connections. They have helped people who went to nz when I was in college a few years back

Know a few out here atm all good reports from tgem however new zealand dairy careers provide good pastoral care throughout the season might cost that bit more though

mycro2013

carrollsno1 wrote: »

Exactly why they should come over and get rid of the negative attitude like the one you have. Were only young once at least if they learn sweet F of A out here it will stand to them in terms of personal development if nothing else

I think you're missing the point I'm trying to convey which is don't get blinkered in to the mentality that the nz farming system is only the farming system which is applicable to Ireland.

yewtree

Cow Man11 wrote: »

I'm in second year of Ag Science and hoping to go to NZ for placement in January. Wondering if anyone on here has done this or has advice on farms/areas they recommend or places to avoid. I was looking at the Purata group of farms as it seems like a good example of large scale dairying.

Go it will be a great expierence and that has nothing to do with farming system.
whatever else you do dont stay in ireland for your work expierence.
i actually went in janurary its the only time ucd students can go.
its a great time to go towards the end of lactation nice and relaxed on most farms

kowtow

Keepgrowing wrote: »

If my son was in your shoes I'd like him to go to NZ. I'd like him to go to a smaller operation at some stage of his placement in order to get experience in all facets of farming not just swinging cups in a parlour.

I'd suggest looking to Wales or southern England. Some of the best and most business focussed operators I've met are from there.

On the money point, I'd work for free for a good operation where I'd learn. The knowledge is the payback.

One or two wondering what the favination with NZ is, from my experience it's their attitude is the biggest take home. They really bring business management and planning to another level.

I'm hoping my boy is going to get through at least three, if not four work placements in the next few years. Australia and/or New Zealand are high on the list no doubt - although I think there are also some larger integrated (and very business like) family dairies in Wisconsin where a lot could be learned.

Agree on the UK - if you put in the research (which is not difficult) there would be excellent examples of operators of almost every system in the UK and many of them would have faced the same basic challenges of land fragmentation etc. as we have here. I'm keen that he does at least one stint on a serious mixed organic operation (which is virtually impossible here) and I can think of a few good possibilities in the UK.

davidk1394

carrollsno1 wrote: »

Im here at the moment does your college not help organize your placement? I was telling a friends brother to come out at that time of the year simply because its going to be an easy time of the year then here, why would you stay in ireland where the host farmer doesnt have to pay you afaik or if your in ag college you get €3-€4/hour. At least youll get some sort of a better wage than that and you can go sky diving white water rafting etc on your days off

How ya getting on out there now ? I'll probably head for oz myself but I'd like to do a bit of tillage and then maybe cows for a while

yosemitesam1

davidk1394 wrote: »

carrollsno1 wrote: »

Im here at the moment does your college not help organize your placement? I was telling a friends brother to come out at that time of the year simply because its going to be an easy time of the year then here, why would you stay in ireland where the host farmer doesnt have to pay you afaik or if your in ag college you get €3-€4/hour. At least youll get some sort of a better wage than that and you can go sky diving white water rafting etc on your days off

How ya getting on out there now ? I'll probably head for oz myself but I'd like to do a bit of tillage and then maybe cows for a while

Try and stay near the coast if ya can in oz, it is very bleak when you go inland.

jaymla627

kowtow wrote: »

I'm hoping my boy is going to get through at least three, if not four work placements in the next few years. Australia and/or New Zealand are high on the list no doubt - although I think there are also some larger integrated (and very business like) family dairies in Wisconsin where a lot could be learned.

Agree on the UK - if you put in the research (which is not difficult) there would be excellent examples of operators of almost every system in the UK and many of them would have faced the same basic challenges of land fragmentation etc. as we have here. I'm keen that he does at least one stint on a serious mixed organic operation (which is virtually impossible here) and I can think of a few good possibilities in the UK.

Be careful about sending him to Australia if you want him to come back, very attractive wages available out their along with free accommodation , especially around gippsland that's only a hour and a half from Melbourne, for any young lads wanting to make dairying their career but no farm to take over at home it's a brilliant spot

Gawddawggonnit

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

Try and stay near the coast if ya can in oz, it is very bleak when you go inland.

Not at all Sam. Spent some happy days running a crew on the banks of the Murray many moons ago...90 miles to the nearest pub was difficult though.

Gawddawggonnit

If I were to advise a son/daughter on where they should go on a dairy placement, it would definitely not be Nz...or any country that spreads urea with helicopters in fact.
Any farm that produces organic and makes their own butter, cheese etc, like Glenilen, would be ideal.

Likewise in tillage...any farm that farms the soil. It wouldn't have to be organic, but 'almost' organic would do...producing food grade produce.

mycro2013

jaymla627 wrote: »

Be careful about sending him to Australia if you want him to come back, very attractive wages available out their along with free accommodation , especially around gippsland that's only a hour and a half from Melbourne, for any young lads wanting to make dairying their career but no farm to take over at home it's a brilliant spot

+1
You can achieve easily 28 dollars an hour in oz working on an 800 cow unit, company ute and accommodation supplied. And you're relatively close to civilization. (Melbourne area). It's hard to leave it though..

Buford T. Justice XIX

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Not at all Sam. Spent some happy days running a crew on the banks of the Murray many moons ago...90 miles to the nearest pub was difficult though.

Sure you'd be nearly sober by the time you drove back home:D

Gawddawggonnit

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Sure you'd be nearly sober by the time you drove back home:D

There were a few hairy moments alright.


A shebeen opened about 50mls away and the first time I discovered it all they were serving was port. I asked what it was like and the man said it was "fcuking good port", sure enough the labels on the bottles had the banner "Fcuking good port"...took me many years to appreciate a nice port afterwards.

kowtow

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

There were a few hairy moments alright.


A shebeen opened about 50mls away and the first time I discovered it all they were serving was port. I asked what it was like and the man said it was "fcuking good port", sure enough the labels on the bottles had the banner "Fcuking good port"...took me many years to appreciate a nice port afterwards.

"any port in a storm"

freedominacup

kowtow wrote: »

"any port in a storm"

Get yer coat. There was no call for that at all.

einn32

It's a great experience! I'd definitely recommend it. Not sure about some of the pay packages being spoken of here for placement. But you still can save a lot of money on farms out there.

yosemitesam1

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

Try and stay near the coast if ya can in oz, it is very bleak when you go inland.

Not at all Sam. Spent some happy days running a crew on the banks of the Murray many moons ago...90 miles to the nearest pub was difficult though.

I was working outside Albert NSW the last few weeks and found it hard. Was happy to be moving off. Pan flat and everything dry as fcuk.

Gawddawggonnit

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

I was working outside Albert NSW the last few weeks and found it hard. Was happy to be moving off. Pan flat and everything dry as fcuk.

My kinda country, wide open spaces!

Your name does suggest a penchant for high mountainous peaks...:)

Was going out with a young lady from between Tullamore and Dobbo when I was there first time.

carrollsno1

davidk1394 wrote: »

How ya getting on out there now ? I'll probably head for oz myself but I'd like to do a bit of tillage and then maybe cows for a while

Handiest number i was ever on to be honest 😂 half the poc fada are out here between cows and silage it will be very quite there next weekend id say lad 😂

Reggie.

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

My kinda country, wide open spaces!

Your name does suggest a penchant for high mountainous peaks...:)

Was going out with a young lady from between Tullamore and Dobbo when I was there first time.

For your sins no doubt