This programme is designed to provide the pastoral farming sector with graduates that have the knowledge and skills to assist, under limited supervision, with the management of all aspects of livestock production in either a dairy, sheep farming pastoral context.
Compulsory across Dairy and Dry Stock Options
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| NZAGFS3.0001 | Human Risk Factors on Farm |
| NZAGFS3.0002 | Understand Animal Handling and Welfare |
| NZAGFS3.0003 | Handling Livestock |
| NZAGFS3.0004 | Moving Livestock |
| NZAGFS3.0005 | Feeding Livestock |
| NZAGFS3.0006 | Treat Livestock |
| NZAGFS3.0007 | Understand Livestock Breeding |
| NZAGFS3.0008 | Farming and Environment |
| NZAGFS3.0009 | Understand Soils |
| NZAGFS3.0010 | Understand Pastures |
| NZAGFS3.0011 | Understand Feeding |
| NZAGFS3.0012 | Understand Animal Health |
| NZAGFS3.0022 | Use Technology |
Dairy Strand
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| Dairy Strand Compulsory | |
| NZAGFS3.0013 | Milking Skills |
| Dairy Strand Elective (choose one) | |
| NZAGFS3.0014 | Dairy Mating |
| NZAGFS3.0015 | Birthing Dairy Livestock |
| NZAGFS3.0016 | Rear Young Dairy Livestock |
Dry Stock Strand
| Course Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| Dry Stock Elective A (choose one) | |
| NZAGFS3.0017 | Wool Shed Skills |
| NZAGFS3.0018 | Shearing Skills |
| Dry Stock Elective B (choose one) | |
| NZAGFS3.0019 | Dry Stock Mating |
| NZAGFS3.0020 | Lambing |
| NZAGFS3.0023 | Dock Lambs |
Outcomes and Pathways
Graduates of this programme will be able to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge of key farming inputs to pastoral farming systems.
- Assist with key livestock production tasks in a pastoral farming context.
- Use appropriate technology within pastoral farming systems.
- Assess and minimise risk to self, others and equipment.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of sustainable practices to pastoral farming systems
Education Pathways:
On completion of this programme, students may progress on to the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with options in Arable Farming, Dairy Farming, and Livestock Farming.
Employment Pathways:
Graduates of this programme may be employed in a range of roles in pastoral farming enterprises requiring limited supervision, for example milk harvester, shepherd, dairy farm assistant or general farm hand
Duration of Study
28 weeks
Entry Criteria
Academic Achievement
Applicants should demonstrate an ability to succeed in tertiary study, shown by the completion of any of the following qualifications or courses of study:
- National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 and / or equivalent qualification or experience in the industry.
- Any qualification specified by the ITO or equivalent standards setting body
- A minimum of three years of secondary education; and/or
- 48 or more credits at NCEA Level 1, with no fewer than 12 credits in each of four subjects; and/or
- Step 3 Reading and Step 4 Numeracy on the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool (LNAAT)
Non-English first language Students
Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools or other teaching institutions is not English, require an ELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.5 or above (or equivalent) for enrolment.
Life Skills/Work Experience
Applicants who do not meet the academic entry criteria above may be admitted to the programme/course of study if they are able to demonstrate:
- Equivalent farming knowledge and skills (minimum two years in the industry)
Selection Criteria
All applicants will be required to meet with the tutor or field officer of the programme they are applying for prior to starting – this will be an informal conversation which will include covering the programme expectations and getting a better understanding of suitability for the programme. Where there are more applicants than places available or the programme is not the best fit, a waiting list will be kept or our team will work with you to provide a suitable alternative. On completion of this conversation the tutor will assist with filling in the full application form to move into the next part of the enrolment process.
Farming Systems (Level 3) FAQs
- This is an 85 credit NZQA course, which will teach students to work on a farm under limited supervision, within either dairy or dry stock farming operations.
- You will achieve NCEA Level 3 in Agriculture. After graduating you will have the ability to take on more responsibility on a farm.
- Students choose to focus their study in either dairy, or dry stock, and have a choice of electives within those strands.
- You will need to have NCEA Level 2 or above or equivalent.
- You must be a NZ or Australian citizen or have NZ residency. You cannot do this course if you are here on a work visa.
- The minimum age is 16.
- Call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ if you have any other questions about enrolments and eligibility.
This course will give students their National Certificate in Farming Systems (Level 3), which is an NZQA recognized qualification, that gives students a good, all round, basic knowledge of farming livestock. You are able to choose between Dairy and Dry Stock electives, so you can learn about what is relevant to you.
Having this qualification shows that you understand the basics of farming and farm safety, and have a good base to build your skills on.
This course runs for 48 weeks part-time, or 28 weeks full-time.
- Part-time students will attend theory class once a week, and do practicals on farm, either with their employer, or through their internship.
- Full-time students will attend class 4 days a week, doing 2 days theory and 2 days on farm.
- Theory learning is done on our online learning platform, Canvas. Practicals are done either with your tutor on farm, or through your employer.
- Please contact us to enquire about the cost of participating in this programme.
This course is currently held in Palmerston North, Whanganui, Whangarei, and Taranaki, with more locations to come. Call us on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ to register your interest or find the closest course to you.
Learn more by enquiring today…
I got my level 3 Dairy Farming through Land Based Training. It was so cool. I met nice people and the tutor is awesome. I class them all as the naki whanau
Yeah the best course around to be honest. Learnt so much!
I’m a level 2 Horticulture student and the tutors are so awesome and supportive. The other students are cool, we are a fun bunch. I have learnt so much in a short amount of time.
Awesome course, learning heaps & loving it! Free knowledge, a priceless gift I will always be grateful for.