My name’s Craig and I’ve been relief milking full-time since 2014. Prior to that I was dairying full-time for 20+ years, 12 of those years in sole charge management, two as low order sharemilker. In addition to that, I was born and bred on a dairy farm, so I’ve been around livestock much of my life. Subsequently, I know my way around a shed and how to work with the stock. I’m independent, quiet, competent, resourceful, reliable, with a good ounce of common sense and initiative, and always on time for milking. If anything I like to arrive a good 15-20 minutes early to take into account any potential hold-ups on the roads. I enjoy what I do and I do it well.
I house sit around the country full-time, and relief milk in the districts where I happen to be staying at the time.
Theoretically, I’m available to relief milk nationwide, however in reality I tend to base my operations in the Waikato and Taranaki regions for much of the year, where I find there can be a wider choice of farms and sheds. In saying that, I’ll seriously consider every offer that comes my way, where ever in NZ it may take me. A lot may depend on where I’m house sitting at the time.
In a nutshell…
I’m available to milk either cows, sheep, or goats. I’ve had experience with all three.
I don’t get sick so timely and daily attendance is guaranteed. I haven’t had a cold since 2012.
Willing to travel up to approximately 30Kms from where I’m staying.
Sole charge milkings preferred (up to approx. 280 cows) but I can do assist milking as well.
Ex-farmer with 20+ years experience of full-time, hands-on dairy cow farming.
I’ve been a self-employed relief milker for 10 years.
I’m GST registered.
An invoice will be emailed upon the completion of each job, payable on the following 20th.
Herringbone sheds preferred, but I don’t mind the occasional rotary.
Mine is a flat rate and is ‘per standard milking’ (washing the vat, bringing the cows in, milking them, cleaning up, shutting the herd away, checking their troughs etc.).
Rate is based on herd size, shed size, and shed set-up. Please contact me for a quote.
I’m also available to do daily chores outside of milking (e.g. feeding out, shifting stock etc) at a competitive hourly rate.
Mileage = $1.10 per km after 10kms.
My services include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
Relief Milking (Sole Charge or Assisting)
Farm Sitting / House Sitting
Herd Testing
Dry Cow Therapy
Teat Sealing
Ear Tagging
Tractor Work
Computer Data Input (MINDA etc)
Waterblasting
Looking After Runoff Blocks
Calf, Lamb, or Kid Rearing
Shed Inspection Preparation
Feeding Out
Weed Control
General Farm Duties
If you would like to discuss booking me in then please feel free to Contact Me. Cheers.
