30/04/2026
Things to consider ahead of moving day for Contract Milkers and Sharemilkers (from Federated Farmers).
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5 Tips for New Contract Milkers Heading into the 2026/27 Season
With the new season just around the corner, it’s a good time for new contract milkers (or anyone changing farms) to focus on the basics and set themselves up for a strong start.
By now, most will have contracts signed and initial communication underway with farm owners about how changeover will run on June 1st. A bit of preparation now can save a lot of stress later.
1) Have a clear plan to measure grass cover and feed on hand
Changeover day can get hectic, especially if you’re moving a distance or juggling last-minute jobs. That said, it’s critical to set aside time for a full farm walk and a proper stocktake of supplements.
Knowing exactly what’s on hand from day one means you can quickly identify any discrepancies between what’s in the contract and what’s actually there. If there’s a shortfall, or even a surplus, you can start early conversations with the farm owner and make a plan together.
Worst case is coming into August and you see you're going to run out of grass by September. No one benefits from poor planning and communication.
2) Set up a personal drawings budget
Alongside your farm budget, it’s worth having a clear personal drawings or spending plan, especially through winter and early spring when cashflow can be tight.
Include things like groceries, bills, school costs, and general day-to-day expenses. It’s not always exciting keeping track of spending, but good financial habits early on will reduce stress and help you stay on track with long-term savings goals.
3) Set both long-term and short-term goals
Goal setting is key in your first season. You’ll likely already have long-term goals (buying cows, progressing to farm ownership, etc.) but shorter-term targets (6–12 months) help keep you focused and motivated.
For example, one of my goals of aiming to hit a milk pickup with SCC under 150 is a clear, measurable goal. Even if I haven’t hit it yet, having that target keeps the team aligned and pushing in the right direction.
If you’ve got staff, involving them in these goals is a great way to build engagement and ownership in the farm’s performance.
4) Plan some time off before calving ramps up
It’s tempting to dive straight into work when starting a new contract, but taking a short break in June can make a big difference later on.
Without it, you can easily find yourself in October with no real downtime and mating just around the corner. That’s when fatigue starts to creep in.
Even a night or two away with family can help reset before the busy period. It’s not always easy, especially on smaller farms, but rest is essential. Even a well-fed, healthy cow needs time to recover between seasons, you’ll perform better if you’re recharged.
5) Get involved in your local community
This is especially important if you’re new to an area or just starting out in the industry.
Connecting with local groups, like DAIRYNZ discussion groups, young farmers, sports clubs, local playgroups for your little ones, or community events. These can open doors to knowledge, support, and friendships. Farming communities are generally very willing to share ideas and help others succeed.
Getting off-farm and building those connections is just as important as what happens in the paddock. Sometimes you just need to put yourself out there.
Riley O'Neill
Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts and not necessarily those of the Federated Farmers NZ
