Considering your training options for a career in the sheep and beef industry? Young people who have trained at a cadet farm are highly sought after by employers.
Places at cadet farms are hotly contested, but it's well worth trying for a place. If you get accepted to a cadet farm, you'll go through a structured training programme and come out a well-rounded employee, ready for work in the sheep and beef industry.
Cadet farms and on-farm training organisations
Considering your training options for a career in the sheep and beef industry? Young people who have trained at a cadet farm are highly sought after by employers.
View key contacts and 2026 cadet farm intakes: this document provides a quick-reference guide to 2026 cadet and training farm opportunities across New Zealand. It lists each training farm, their open day dates, application deadlines, and key contact details to help students, teachers, and advisors plan and apply.
What are the options?
Growing Future Farmers
Growing Future Farmers is a two-year programme combines a range of specialised industry training and development with formal NZQA learning that includes classroom lectures, independent study, and group sessions. Placements are available in 10 regions throughout the country. B+LNZ funds Growing Future Farmers, a programme that aims to accelerate graduates' careers from entry-level Essential Farm Skills to advanced Farm Skills and Business Management.
Visit their website to apply and find out more.
Otiwhiti Station
Located near Hunterville, the Otiwhiti Station Land Based Training school teaches hill country sheep and cattle skills to a select group of not more than ten cadets in the first year. Opportunities for employment are made available for the second year in and around the community while cadets study for a structured Level 4 qualification.
Visit their website to apply and find out more.
Moeangiangi Station Training Cadet Training Trust
Located on one of the East Coast’s original hill country stations located at Putorino, 159 kilometres south of Gisborne and 59 kilometres north of Napier.
The operation runs 28,000 stock units across 3,655 hectares of country ranging from coastal finishing to steep hill – a true New Zealand station setting the strong foundation for cadets to begin their careers.
Visit their website to find out more.
Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm
provides unique agricultural and farm training in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. A high quality, accredited farming course providing hands-on agriculture skills training for young farmers.
With just 13 trainees accepted each year they look for dedicated individuals who have passion and curiosity for understanding and learning farming skills and techniques.
Visit their website to learn more.
Jeff Farm
is a highly productive 2,433ha breeding and finishing property located between Mataura and Clinton in South Otago. The farm carries approximately 30,000 stock units, comprising sheep, beef cattle and deer, with all progeny finished on-farm.
Each year, up to five cadets undertake the farm’s two-year training programme, gaining practical farming experience and NZ Agriculture qualifications through Primary ITO while working alongside the farm’s permanent staff.
Visit the Jeff Farm website to learn more.
Coleridge Downs
a progressive farming business located in the Rakaia Gorge, Mid Canterbury. Operating across three properties totalling approximately 9,500 hectares, the business runs 45,000 stock units across sheep, beef, and deer enterprises and employs 19 staff.
They train eight farm cadets each year. High school leavers can apply for the two-year cadetship programme, gaining practical, hands-on experience while working alongside experienced staff across all aspects of the sheep, beef, and deer farming operations.
Learn more about their cadet programme here.
Pukemiro Station
is a 930ha fully operational sheep & beef station located just 10 minutes from Dannevirke.
The Pukemiro Station Cadetship is a hands on 2 year programme, focusing on the station, classroom learning and personal training and growth.
Visit the Pukemiro Station for more info.
Fairlight Foundation
The foundation is motivated women building careers in agriculture through a structured programme that combines practical farming experience with personal, professional, and leadership development.
Three interns yearly gain hands-on experience in all aspects of farm operations, including livestock management, mustering, calving, lambing, grazing, and shearing, while also completing industry training and leadership programmes
Whangārei A&P Farm Intern programme
The Whangārei A&P Farm Intern programme is a two-year, full-time farm internship programme where young people interested in a farming career get hands on experience for free whilst also working towards completing their New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture levels 3 and 4.
Visit their website to apply and find out more.
Support
B+LNZ provides financial support to Otiwhiti Station, Growing Future Farmers, and the Whangārei A&P Farm Intern Programme, while also offering support and resources to all other programmes.