You’ll develop the skills to lead and manage livestock production systems, focusing on planning, performance monitoring, and improving productivity and sustainability. This programme prepares you for senior roles in livestock production and farm management while gaining a Level 5 qualification.
Course Details
You’ll learn how to identify high industry performance and set production targets. You’ll develop the skills to plan, implement, and monitor feeding, breeding, and animal health programmes using appropriate technologies. You’ll also gain the knowledge to ensure production plans are environmentally sustainable, well-coordinated, and aligned with the farm business you work in.
Course Code | Course Name |
NZAPM5.001 | Benchmarking Analysis |
NZAPM5.002 | Performance Strategies |
NZAPM5.003 | Developing Production Plans |
NZAPM5.004 | Implementing Production Plans |
NZAPM5.005 | Monitoring Production Plans |
Outcome Statement
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
Identify high performance in a primary industry production system; benchmark, analyse and recommend strategies to improve agribusiness performance.
Develop, implement and monitor environmentally sustainable and cohesive feeding, breeding and animal health plans which utilise appropriate technologies, and align with a farm business plan to achieve production targets.
This qualification builds on the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4). On completion, you may move into livestock production management roles within dairy or sheep and beef production systems.
Duration
This programme runs for 40 weeks.
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 4 and / or equivalent qualification or experience in the industry and are in full time employment.
English Second 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 IELTS (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 five 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.
The cost of this programme is $1,900 inclusive of GST.
Course Start Dates
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.
Livestock Production Management (Level 5) FAQs
At the end of the course, you will have completed the National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 5) which is an NCEA recognized qualification. This will show your employer that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to go into a senior management position.
This course is made up of practical assessments and paper-based theory assessments. Over the duration of the course there are 12-13 class days, with a tutor for any required in-person learning.
There is a minimum of 23 practical hours a week to complete, that are related to course requirements. All practical hours will be completed on the farm that you’re employed at.
This course does require you to be employed full-time on a farm.
As you are only required to attend class 12-13 times over the 50 weeks of course, we are happy to work with you to facilitate supported distance learning. The closer you are to one of our locations, the easier it is to offer this. You can fill in an enquiry form or give us a call on ‘0508 TRAIN ME’ to discuss your options.
Check back soon for 2026 dates!