Milking Cows

Hello. Does anyone have any advice about milking cows as a way to make money in NZ for awhile, say 6 months . Is it easy to find work and get the visas? Are room and board usually included? Can you earn more doing this than other jobs tourists might get such as fruit picking, working in hostels, restaurants or driving? Would paid health care be available if you got sick? Any advice or insights appreciated. Thx Avsfan!!! Mooooooooooooooooooo

These websites might be helpful
www.marvinfarms.co.nz<BR>www.frenz.co.nz<BR>www.fres.co.nz<BR>

Do you BYO milkmaid's cap and stool? I thought there were machines that milked cows these days? All sounds a bit Thomas Hardy!

Perhaps WWOOF - Willing Workers on Organic Farms might have a few organic bovines that need a hand squeeze.

Not an nudder fetishist.

#2 We have not yet attained fully automatic milking down this way. Most of the dairy farmers still have to be out at 5.30am.

Thx for the info and the links. I also found a very good site through a search at www.greenerhorizons.co.nz/index.php if anyone else is looking for information. I wonder however if the 28000 minimum salary per year is less than I could get if I found work on my own on a farm? Is nz 28000 plus room and board a decent living? thx

Be sure to visit Dairyland museum just out of Hawera, Taranaki, home to the world's largest single site multi product dairy factory. I had a fascinating wander through the milking machine section a few years back, since Kevin Wasley's Elvis memorabilia room (largest collection in Australasia) was closed.

There is a large demand for experienced workers on dairy farms- you haven't stated if you have any experience- but the usual rate would be between $32000 and $40000 for an experienced dairy worker, with usually accommodation included, sometimes power is paid for also.

No, Im not an experienced milker or farmer. Ive been a driver for 20 years so this wouldnt necessarily be a step down for me:0 Im just looking for a possible way to support myself while experiencing living in New Zealand and seeing the country after Im done working. I got the idea from farmers whom I met during my month in NZ this past summer. It sounds better than many other jobs travellers might end up with although much tougher. Thx for all the assistance. Id rather spend my days listening to cows and sheep than stories about George Bush, Iraq and Paris Hilton, Avsfan