AgriVenture offers a wide variety of work placements in New Zealand covering a wide range of farming types.
Agriculture produce has always dominated New Zealand’s economy, from the early days of the first frozen meat shipment to England in 1882 through to the present day. While sheep numbers have dropped from 70 million in the 1980’s to 40 million today – there are still 10 sheep for every person in New Zealand.
In recent years, many traditional arable, sheep and beef farms have been converted to dairy (one of New Zealand’s
largest export commodities) changing the face of farming in New Zealand. (For more information see Fonterra's report of the industry
Since subsidies were abolished in the early 1980’s, the majority of farms are  intensively farmed, whether it is dairying, cropping or sheep and beef. No two farms are the same – from big corporate farms with large staff numbers (often
multi-national) down to the small family owner operator farms. Farms that operate large modern machines to farms that use older but well maintained machinery to farms that use contractors.
Farming is now a seven day a week business and in most placements there will be times of the year where longer work hours will be necessary, however, all farms use a roster system which enables you to have regular time off. 
Wherever you are placed, the experience will be what you make it – a positive ‘can do’ attitude will ensure that you have the ‘trip of a lifetime’.

DAIRYING:
Dairying is carried out throughout both islands and cows are fed outside on pasture all year round. Herds can vary in size from 200 through to 3,000. Machinery is modern  incorporating the latest technology, with cows being milked twice-a-day, although some dairy farmers are turning to once-a-day milkings.
Calving generally starts in July or August and continues for approximately eight weeks with mating starting in October and cows being dried off (not milked) over the winter. Dairying offers more than just milking, there are calves to be fed, hay to be baled, silage to be made, irrigation to shift, weed spraying and general farm maintenance – a lot of time can be spent outdoors. 
Milking often starts at 4.30 –  5.30am and finishes around  5pm, with time off during the day. Rosters vary with some on a weekly roster while others work to a two week roster. Whichever way, you will be paid on the hours you work. Due to the large number of dairy placements in some areas, there could be trainees near you with the same roster.
Dairying provides an excellent opportunity for people who have limited agriculture experience, who are willing to learn and work hard; you just need a positive attitude.

ARABLE:
Cropping covers a wide range of cereals and seeds, mainly in the South Island predominantly in the Mid-Canterbury 
region. Farm sizes range from 200 ha to 800 ha. A large percentage of farms are irrigated. Crops grown range from ryegrass, cereals, clover, pulses, brassicas and borage to a wide variety of specialist seeds including carrots, beet, spinach,  cabbage and hemp.
Tractor work is undertaken all year round. Drilling can start in February with the specialist vegetable crops, early beats being drilled from April onwards.
Harvest normally begins in January with ryegrass crops, ending with radish crops in late March/early April. 
Stock is found on the majority of arable farms - trading lambs in the autumn, grazing dairy calves/heifers/cows, beef cows, breeding ewes or deer – you can be harvesting one day, shearing the next! Most farms have a comprehensive range of modern machinery, however, there will be some farms that will have older but well maintained equipment.
A higher level of agricultural experience and ability is required of trainees accepting arable placements. A reasonable level of fitness is required and a willingness to undertake a variety of tasks.

SHEEP & BEEF:
Sheep and Beef farms are spread over the whole country though the majority of placements are in the South
Island and many are incorporated with arable positions. With the increase of irrigation, traditional sheep and beef farms are now converting to dairying and intensive cropping. This means there are now less true 'sheep and beef' farms compared to the past. 
All stock are kept and feed on pasture outside all year round. Lambing takes place in July to October dependant on location, while calving can be in either autumn or spring. There are many seasonal tasks involving stock (ie. drenching, shearing, drafting, lambing) with the majority of the time spent outside, therefore a good level of fitness will be necessary. 

HORTICULTURE:
The majority of horticulture placements are on orchards although there are a limited number of flower placements. There are several opportunities available each year with flowers or kiwifruit for trainees arriving in May or July.
The main tasks on orchards are thinning and picking fruit. Harvest seasons vary, with Asparagus being harvested from October, stone fruit from December and kiwifruit in April/May. Accommodation is often in a bunkhouse situation with other people from around the world and wages are on contract. However, with the right attitude, you will earn above minimum wage rates and if you don't have any agricultural experience, this would be an ideal programme as you will have the same level of support that AgriVenture is well known for.

EQUINE, PIGS, GOATS, DEER & ORGANICS:
Placements in these fields are available and vary from year to year.

For more information and a free brochure click here for the Contact Form
or call 09 420 5212    text 021 961 972  or email pauline@agriventure.com
or for more  information online see www.agriventure.com