Contract Milking
Farming
A course by
Dairy Training
A practical short course designed for current and aspiring contract milkers and variable order sharemilkers. Learn contract and budgeting skills, discover tools for smart financial decisions, and connect with other dairy farmers.
Online study
Flexible online learning from anywhere
Available in 2 locations
It will take a total of 4 weeks


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Understand contract structure and obligations
Learners will be able to explain how contract milking contracts work, and outline the responsibilities of both parties involved.

Assess financial viability of contract opportunities
Learners will have the skills to evaluate whether a contract milking or variable order sharemilker position is financially sustainable.

Identify critical risks and common errors
Participants will be able to recognise typical mistakes made by contract milkers and strategies to avoid them.
What You're Signing Up For
This short course, offered by Dairy Training in partnership with Federated Farmers and DairyNZ, prepares participants to succeed as contract milkers or sharemilkers. Through a blend of workshops, learners build understanding in contract law, budgeting, and risk management relevant to contract milking in the dairy sector. The course is hands-on, encourages networking, and equips learners to make sound decisions for self-employment and contract negotiation.
Course Content
- Understanding contracts in the context of contract milking
- Obligations and responsibilities in contract agreements
- Assessing financial viability for contract milking or sharemilking
- Identifying common pitfalls for contract milkers
- Evaluating contract milking opportunities
- Making informed decisions in contract settings
- Seeking and understanding independent advice in contracts
- Managing and mitigating risks in contract milking
What you need to know first
New Zealand citizen or NZ resident visa holder
Must bring a laptop or device to access course materials

What sort of industry will this job lead to
Dairy Farming
Agriculture

Future employment opportunities might be
Contract Milker
Variable Order Sharemilker


Coming Soon: Nexties Explorer
Our AI-powered Explorer is almost ready. Soon, you’ll be able to build a dynamic profile of your skills, goals, and strengths, and get a curated selection of courses just for you.
More details