Dairy Farming Training with Primary ITO
From short courses to full apprenticeships, we have a training solution for you. Enter your details below and we'll be in touch, or keep scrolling to learn more about our programmes.
Farm Assistant Training Options (Level 2 and 3)
Topics include: safe work practices in own work area in a primary industry operation, describing duties, rights, representation and the regulator in terms of New Zealand health and safety legislation, applying health and safety risk assessment to a job role, and workplace health and safety culture and practices.
- Duration: 4 months
- Cost: $200
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: health & safety on farm, safe handling of agri-chemicals, milking, handling of livestock (stockmanship), essential animal health, fencing (temporary & permanent), and assist with feeding.
- Duration: 7 months
- Cost: Zero Fees! T&Cs apply
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: nutritional value of milk, quality milk supply and preventing contaminants; understanding the milking plant and the function of the milking components; milk quality testing and standards; milk quality post calving, mastitis, treating teat disorders and unsuitable milk.
- Duration: 5 months
- Cost: $552.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: mating management and understanding the tools that support a successful mating programme; assisting with parturition management, understanding of birthing presentation and animal records; monitoring body condition score (BCS) of pregnant cows to ensure a successful start to the season; principles of rearing young stock including the importance of colostrum, identification, and welfare practices.
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- Duration: 5 months
- Cost: $920.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: livestock feed demand during the season and impacts on production; identification of New Zealand pasture species; grazing managements methods; principles of feed budgeting and nutritional value of feed and digestibility; introduction to pasture management and soil management, including soil health and fertility; fundamental of water supply systems.
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- Duration: 5 months
- Cost: $1,150.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: biosecurity, types of diseases and how to apply best practice to migrate risk; identification and care of healthy livestock, ill health and ill thrift; use of preventative animal health measures; and obligations and practices with regards to animal welfare requirement.
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- Duration: 4 months
- Cost: $460.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: characteristics of a dairy effluent management systems; environmental protection practices on farm; benefits and risks of effluent application on farm.
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- Duration: 3 months
- Cost: $414.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture - Dairy Farming (Level 3)
This comprehensive qualification is ideal for Farm Assistants. It gives learners solid knowledge of on-farm tasks and prepares them for activities throughout the farming year.
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- Duration: 20 months
- Cost: From $3,220
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Herd or Assistant Manager Training Options (Level 4)
Topics include: understanding Milk supplier standards; managing milk harvesting procedure and plant maintenance; livestock health.
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- Duration: 4 months
- Cost: $500.25
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: implement and monitor a livestock health plan; implement and monitor a livestock mating plan (breeding only); implement and monitor and livestock parturition plan.
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- Duration: 6 months
- Cost: $920.00
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: describing farm environmental risks and farming practices that mitigate environmental risks, identifying risks to farm and catchment environments and describing opportunities to improve farming practice and applying good farming practices to implement and monitor a farm environment plan.
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- Duration: 5 months
- Cost: $500.25
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Topics include: improving health and safety for people on farm both when handling waste and when dealing with effluent, decreasing the amount of waste generated through principles such as reduce, reuse and recycle, improving nutrient reuse on farm through efficient use of existing on-farm infrastructure, developing a clear Effluent Management Plan that includes local bylaws relevant to where the farm is located, demonstrating knowledge of animal health, water and air quality and greenhouse gas emissions related to effluent management.
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- Duration: 6 months
- Cost: $747.50
- Register your interest and get in touch here
New Zealand Apprenticeship in Agriculture - Dairy Farming (Level 4)
This comprehensive qualification is ideal for Herd or Assistant Managers. It will enhance learners skills so they can lead the implementation of production plans.
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- Duration: 20 months
- Cost: From $3,536.25
- Register your interest and get in touch here
Longer programmes
Interested in on-going training to develop your staff?
The Micro-credentials listed above can be completed as part of a New Zealand Certificate (levels 3 and 4 available) or even a full New Zealand Apprenticeship - plus employers can get up to $6,000 back per year for each first-year apprentice they have employed on farm via the Apprenticeship Boost! And for senior staff, managers and farm owners, we also offer two Level 5 programmes:
- NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Production Management
- NZ Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management
For sheep, beef and deer training, click here.
For all other programmes, click here.
Vehicle & Chainsaw Training
Looking to get yourself or your team trained to safely operate vehicles or a chainsaw on-farm?
We offer practical, bite-sized courses which are perfect for onboarding new staff, upskilling seasonal workers, and maintaining safe, best-practice operations.
Operations training is available in:
- Tractor
- 4WD
- Light utility vehicle (LUV)
- Motorcycle
- Quad bike
- Chainsaw
How we support you
Our Training Advisers work alongside you to achieve the best result for your business and your staff. They’ll provide expertise on learning pathways with your business needs, undertake regular visits, and for learners, they’ll plan study nights and arrange literacy and numeracy support when required.
Latest Dairy News
Photo & Article Credit: Frankie Webb, Horowhenua Chronicle