Address.
Company
Founded in 1997, AAGIM is an Australian, Victorian based Agri-investment management company. AAGIM manages agricultural investments across Australia in the sectors of dairy, sheep meat, dryland cropping and horticulture.
In July 2020, our client acquired a 180-hectare dairy property which was previously a share farming operation. Currently, the operation consists of approximately 500 cows with the aim of increasing that to 600 cows within the next year. AAGIM manages another 238-hectare property 3.5km away which is undergoing upgrades to its dairy, so another 500 cows can be purchased and milked there. A third farm is owned near Tongala which supports the two dairies with fodder and heifer grow out.
These three operations are run collaboratively. Management has been less than ideal to date and the owners are seeking to turn this group of assets into a co-ordinated operation milking up to 1200 cows.
All properties are conveniently located near Kyabram, 30 minutes from Echuca, and 50 minutes from Shepparton, all with adequate schools, sporting facilities, and shopping precincts available.
Position
The Farm Manager will be responsible for executing a turn-around plan and delivering operational outcomes in line with an agreed budget. The main objectives for this role are to
1) provide stability and direction for all staff on operational dairy.
2) gather and correctly store herd data so that it can be used to make informed decisions.
3) make the farm clean and tidy.
4) Over see the herd purchase, staffing requirements and capex of start up dairy.
5) manage all operations regarding the start up dairy.
This is a position that offers autonomy in return for demonstrable outcomes and accountability. The Farm Manager reports to an Asset Manager who looks after four other dairy operations in Victoria
Key Responsibilities
- All day-to-day operations, including staffing, animal health, feeding and pasture development.
- Maintaining quality records
- Manage all staff to ensure efficient and effective operation of the farm within the agreed budget.
- Manage an AI and breeding program, conducting animal husbandry duties and ensuring herd health is maintained in a safe and humane manner.
- Liaise with external contractors and consultants that come to the property.
- Manage and implement all feed budgeting requirements with assistance from consultants and the Asset Manager
- Develop and maintain property infrastructure within operational budget.
- Maintain high OHS standards.
Ensure that the property always presents professionally.
Skills and Experience
- A comprehensive knowledge of management in a dairy enterprise with sound understanding of animal health and ruminant nutrition.
- Dairy management experience and technical knowledge of animal husbandry and irrigated pasture management
- Experience with PMR or TMR dairying operations
- Experience managing a team of staff and communicating with a range of stakeholders including management, contractors, and external consultants.
- Experience managing a successful AI and breeding program.
- Experience operating and maintaining plant, machinery, and equipment.
- Computer literacy particularly with farm management systems and experience with MS Excel and Office suite skills, experience with using AgriWebb system software is desirable.
