Working abroad

[ArableManDan]

I want to go out to either Australia or New Zealand in October once harvest has finished here in the UK but have no real idea where to start. Don't know anybody that has been and my mates don't fancy going until a few years time. Anybody know good recruitment agencies or have any contacts? I've heard of a few people getting ripped off in the past and don't fancy that happening. Thanks

 

[Midnight plough boy]

I had a cracking time in New Zealand, well worth a look. Plenty of arable on the Canterbury plane in the South Island. Search the forum for threads, there are a few with good advice.

 

[Col.chuckles]

Hanzon jobs will sort you out if you decide on New Zealand. Richard is a top bloke

 

[Lofty1984]

@Jordan govier

 

[deutzfahruk]

I'd recommend Hanzon jobs as well! I didn't actually take one of the jobs he found for me in the end but he was very helpful anyway.

 

[oldoaktree]

Don't limit your self to one or two countries for your 1st choice.
If you take the plunge and go anywhere you want will meet fellow workers from around the world who can fix you up with work any where in the English speaking world, as long as your halfway capable .
Did it many years ago came home after a few years ,somethimes regret doing that .
Being a world wide nomadic worker had its attractions.

 

[Jordan govier]

Pye group
Quigleys
Woodleys
Jackson Holmes
Hayden mckenzie
Rabco


The list goes on just have a search on google and apply

 

[Chae1]

I worked got work through mark bembrick of rural enterprises a agency based in Perth. Got a good job through them.

@Sandy worked for same farmer though a different year.

In the east I worked through Charlie bellend can't remember name of company. Based in Sydney. Good job again.

I was lucky I think agencies attract a lot of farmers that nobody local will work for. Locals have families and hobbies and don't want to work 24/7.

The Land which I guess is aussie equivalent of farmers weekly also has lots of jobs.

It's a great experience and great people. Make the most of it.

I didn't really like nz was there in winter and only stayed in North island. Too much like home.

 

[williamjones1]

Hi

We are chasing operators for this coming harvest.
Based in Moora region of Western Australia

15,000 ha dry land property split into 7 farms, cropping wheat, canola and lupins
3 yellow headers and a red one. All running 45ft MacDon Flexi draper fronts.
2 x 30 tonne Finch chaser bins pulled by 8R series John Deere tractors
3x 36 meter Miller Nitro Boomsprays

Swathing will begin early October, with all 3 nitros working 24/7 (Nitros have detachable booms so we swath with them.)
Harvest will begin mid to late October depending on the season, last harvest we finished mid January.
Plenty of hours, work vehicle and accomodation provided.

Paying $28-$30 an hour. (£14/h roughly)

If your interested then I'm more than happy to pass on details.
However NZ is also incredible, I spent 2 seasons over there working in Canterbury for a contractor, great experience. I'd recommend both!

Cheers

 

[TomB]

Hi

We are chasing operators for this coming harvest.
Based in Moora region of Western Australia

15,000 ha dry land property split into 7 farms, cropping wheat, canola and lupins
3 yellow headers and a red one. All running 45ft MacDon Flexi draper fronts.
2 x 30 tonne Finch chaser bins pulled by 8R series John Deere tractors
3x 36 meter Miller Nitro Boomsprays

Swathing will begin early October, with all 3 nitros working 24/7 (Nitros have detachable booms so we swath with them.)
Harvest will begin mid to late October depending on the season, last harvest we finished mid January.
Plenty of hours, work vehicle and accomodation provided.

Paying $28-$30 an hour. (£14/h roughly)

If your interested then I'm more than happy to pass on details.
However NZ is also incredible, I spent 2 seasons over there working in Canterbury for a contractor, great experience. I'd recommend both!

Cheers

Sounds like a good job, I did a drilling season on a farm near Moora in 2004, as an 18 year old I was paid $15/hour, don't think I've been so well off since, it funded some good travelling afterwards.

 

[Chae1]

Sounds like a good job, I did a drilling season on a farm near Moora in 2004, as an 18 year old I was paid $15/hour, don't think I've been so well off since, it funded some good travelling afterwards.

We were the same. Stayed in one of the best hotels in Sydney when we were finished and bought tag huer watches as money not worth anything to take home the way the exchange rate was.

Pity it wasn't other way around. Or might have stayed.

 

[Gil582]

Did a season (October-April) with Jackson Holmes 2014/15 after hearing good things about them on here... Andrew, Todd and the team are great folk to work for, just be sure and leave plenty of time to travel around after you've finished working, no matter where you end up going! Great countries to explore

 

[williamjones1]

Sounds like a good job, I did a drilling season on a farm near Moora in 2004, as an 18 year old I was paid $15/hour, don't think I've been so well off since, it funded some good travelling afterwards.

A fair bit will have changed since then, especially the wages! I might rattle your brain here, but who were you working for? The exchange rate isn't looking to bad at the minute.

 

[CornishTone]

I worked in both countries before moving out here. I did one trip with an agency and wouldn't do it again. Total rip off!

I worked for a bloke in WA before heading to NZ. I've since sent 3 friends and my sister out to him. Great family but I don't think they're taking on international part timers anymore.

Also, don't limit yourself to one country or the other. Do both! Very different types of farming across the two countries. You'll learn and experience so much more by seeing both dry land and high rainfall agriculture.

 

[Sid]

Depends on whether you want to go abroad work hard play hard and come back with nothing or work play and spend time with familes and explore the country and its people.
I did a year in Canada spent time living with familes in their homes getting involved with local activities as well as sightseeing bars and travelling.
Going to a country and working 14 hour days and the rest of the time in the bar wouldn't be my cup of tea.
I went with the international agricultural exchange association IAEA which the turned into Agriventure.
I was there as part of a family and community not just a labourer. The choice is yours but I'd encourage anyone to leave their mates behind and travel and make new friends who i still keep in toich with 25 years later!

 

[Big_D]

I also went (to nz) with IAEA/Agriventure, great experience and Hassle free, is the organisation still operating?

 

[CornishTone]

Depends on whether you want to go abroad work hard play hard and come back with nothing or work play and spend time with familes and explore the country and its people.
I did a year in Canada spent time living with familes in their homes getting involved with local activities as well as sightseeing bars and travelling.
Going to a country and working 14 hour days and the rest of the time in the bar wouldn't be my cup of tea.
I went with the international agricultural exchange association IAEA which the turned into Agriventure.
I was there as part of a family and community not just a labourer. The choice is yours but I'd encourage anyone to leave their mates behind and travel and make new friends who i still keep in toich with 25 years later!

I went to Australia with Agriventure/IAEA.
Never, ever again!!! Absolute shower! Unfortunately I didn't have any choice as it was for my uni gap year and it had to be with them.

I also went to Canada, NZ and back to Australia on my own and had a ball. Did the same sort of thing, lived with families, got involved in communities, travelled etc, I just made my own contacts and don't have to pay Agriventures extortionate fees and put up with their idea of a "worthwhile" placement.

Perhaps they've sorted themselves out by now, but I would've thought the OP would be able to find contacts just through TFF. The world is a small place nowadays!

 

[Sid]

I went to Australia with Agriventure/IAEA.
Never, ever again!!! Absolute shower! Unfortunately I didn't have any choice as it was for my uni gap year and it had to be with them.

I also went to Canada, NZ and back to Australia on my own and had a ball. Did the same sort of thing, lived with families, got involved in communities, travelled etc, I just made my own contacts and don't have to pay Agriventures extortionate fees and put up with their idea of a "worthwhile" placement.

Perhaps they've sorted themselves out by now, but I would've thought the OP would be able to find contacts just through TFF. The world is a small place nowadays!

What year did you go?
I'll be honest you are the first person I've ever heard say they were rubbish.

 

[CornishTone]

2002. I was placed with an elderly couple (late 60's) who only wanted a dogs body to feed their calves and hounds. I wasn't allowed access to the phone, internet or a vehicle.

Now, baring in mind I was on my placement year, I had to complete a project on zero tillage. Couldn't do that feeding calves. In the end I broke the rules and used the internet in the dead of night. I emailed IAEA 3 times to move me. They wouldn't even entertain the idea.

What finished it off was on a 43 deg day she came out to the cattle yards to give her husband "smoko" and a bottle of water and brought nothing for me. I carried on till the end of the day without a drink. I then broke the rules again and phoned the state IAEA chairman and told him what I thought of his poxy organisation. But it was her protest that I'd used the phone without permission that eventually got me moved.

I was a very naughty boy!

Anyway, that's my experience of them. I hope things have changed since. Like I said, I've travelled and worked in Aus, NZ and Canada by myself and without a problem.

 

[Big_D]

2002. I was placed with an elderly couple (late 60's) who only wanted a dogs body to feed their calves and hounds. I wasn't allowed access to the phone, internet or a vehicle.

Now, baring in mind I was on my placement year, I had to complete a project on zero tillage. Couldn't do that feeding calves. In the end I broke the rules and used the internet in the dead of night. I emailed IAEA 3 times to move me. They wouldn't even entertain the idea.

What finished it off was on a 43 deg day she came out to the cattle yards to give her husband "smoko" and a bottle of water and brought nothing for me. I carried on till the end of the day without a drink. I then broke the rules again and phoned the state IAEA chairman and told him what I thought of his poxy organisation. But it was her protest that I'd used the phone without permission that eventually got me moved.

I was a very naughty boy!

Anyway, that's my experience of them. I hope things have changed since. Like I said, I've travelled and worked in Aus, NZ and Canada by myself and without a problem.

That's a shame for you, I think the Australian orgsnisation perhaps isn't as well run as nz one. My friend went to oz and asked for a mixed cropping livestock placement, they tried to fob him off with a dairy but he put his foot down and got a great placement. In nz every trainee had a contact person if they weren't happy and if it couldn't be resolved they were moved. Agree totally you can have the same experience organising it yourself and cost less but if you are a shy sort then agriventure a lot easier and great way to meet people