Seeder Operators (1-2) – Kalannie (ref #34119) 

An opportunity for 1 or possibly 2 seeding staff on a farm based in Kalannie. Applicants will potentially be working shift work. Successful candidates will be starting the week of the 14th or 21st of April with potential for future work for the right candidate.

This family farm is a mixed enterprise farm located in the small wheatbelt town of Kalannie, 270km north-east of Perth.

The business is looking for honest people to join their team that are looking for a varied experience on a broad acre wheatbelt farm. The owners farm because they like the lifestyle, raising their family, whilst gaining return on the hard work they put in.

The Farm 

The 6000ha property is a mixed enterprise, managing both cropping and livestock. 4,500ha is cropped, growing wheat (milling and noodles), canola, barley (malting) and lupins, all delivered to the local Kalannie CBH, as well as running pasture for 1600 merino ewes’ mated to merinos (wool and meat) or older ewes mated to Poll Dorsets (meat).

The farm is split into two properties, “town block” 8 km west of Kalannie, where the original family homestead (about 100 years in the family) and sheds are located. This is where a modest 3×1 air-conditioned brick and tin house is available for staff accommodation (with good service from Telstra and Vodafone).

The family home, main workshop and an attached neighboring lease is located 26km east of Kalannie.

Details of interest 

Seeding will run from mid-April to late-May. Seeding tasks and machinery operations will include:

• Seeding operations and maintenance for a John Deere FWA 280R two track machine
• 15000l Morris air cart
• 18m dbs air seeder
• 36m 7000l hydra boom sprayer
• Marshall multispreader
• Paddock preparation for seeding
• Sheep monitoring / yard work and general clean up and maintenance around the farm (but not limited to).

Hours will vary from minimum 9 hr days, 5 days a week (in lead up to seeding) to 12/14hr days, 7 days a week during seeding (roughly for the month of May). Hours will vary depending on the season.

They run relatively new and well-maintained John Deere equipment using rtk guidance and generation 4 displays.

Skills you need

• Non-smoker preferred
• Fluent English required
• Driver’s license required
• Applicants must be safe, clean, self-motivated, take pride in their work and have a can-do attitude
• Ability to work as a team and independently

What are your Rewards?

Casual rate $30/hr for inexperienced staff, $35/hr with some machinery/mechanical experience.

Wages paid fortnightly and hourly rate will be discussed based on experience.

Plenty of hours available – minimum 40hr weeks. Maximum 70hrs during seeding.

Dinner provided during seeding.

Work vehicle for working hours.

Accommodation available. Fully furnished 4×1 brick and tin air-conditioned shared house on farm. Vodafone and Telstra service. Accommodation to be treated with care and as if it was your own place. Depending on the season the house may be shared with other farm staff (no more than 2 or 3 people).

What can life after work look like

Kalannie is home to approx.  250 people (the community doubles in seeding and harvest with seasonal staff!) and is located in the shire of Dalwallinu (rough population 1200 total).

It has a well-stocked- small local store and PO, Primary school, two farm supply businesses, local sport (Aussie rules, netball and hockey) and recreation club that has tennis, bowls and golf clubs attached. The recreation club is open Thursday to Sundays from 5pm for food and drinks.

It can get hot during summer (with flies) and cold in the winter, but autumn and spring are very mild.

Kalannie is serviced by the larger town of Dalwallinu half an hour to the west where there is a larger food store, Pub, and many agricultural businesses.

In summary: 

Location: Kalannie, Western Australia
Start Date: Immediate
Job: Seeder operators 1-2
Hours: Casual
Accommodation: Available
Driver’s license: Essential
Fluent English required