- Lead an established, purpose-built 27,000-head lamb feedlot
- Courageous leadership, high standards and new ideas are valued
- Supportive owners who actively invest in people, systems, and learning

Drover Ag is proud to partner with Talbina to appoint a Lamb Feedlot Manager for its established, purpose-built 27,000-head feedlot. This is a rare senior opportunity for an outstanding livestock and people leader to influence performance at scale, develop a committed team and help shape Talbina's next chapter. We are seeking a candidate motivated by genuine responsibility, people development and continual learning.

Talbina is a progressive, family-owned agricultural business based at Gymbowen in Victoria's West Wimmera. Built from the ground up, the business combines a purpose-built lamb feedlot with a substantial broadacre cropping enterprise. Talbina is ambitious about performance while remaining equally committed to its leadership culture and creating a professional workplace where people and standards matter.

The purpose-built feedlot is strategically integrated with Talbina's broadacre cropping operation and features undercover processing areas, Te Pari five-way automatic drafting and specialised sheep-handling facilities. Well-designed feeding, water, drainage and livestock-movement infrastructure supports safe and effective day-to-day operations. Gallagher software and established Excel-based recording systems are used to track treatments, rations and livestock performance, supporting informed decision-making, high standards of animal welfare and consistently strong operational performance.

The feedlot operates for approximately 39 weeks each year, from October to June, with the remaining period dedicated to facility maintenance, preparation and planning for the next operating season.

The Role
This is a hands-on senior leadership position responsible for the day-to-day performance of the feedlot and its team. Reporting to the Operations Manager,



the successful candidate will be trusted to set priorities, solve problems, make sound decisions and ensure the operation is consistently delivered to Talbina's standards.

The role requires a leader who can balance livestock performance, people development and operational demands while communicating results, concerns and emerging issues clearly and early.

Key areas of responsibility include:

- People: Lead, coach and develop the team, set clear expectations, recognise strong performance and build accountability.
- Livestock: Oversee induction, feeding, animal health, welfare, treatments and weight performance.
- Operations: Plan and prioritise daily, weekly and seasonal work, coordinate resources and respond effectively when conditions change.
- Systems: Ensure procedures are consistently followed and livestock, treatment, performance and operational records remain accurate.
- Communication: Maintain clear and timely communication with the Operations Manager, team and professional advisers.
- Improvement: Identify practical solutions, contribute new ideas and respectfully challenge thinking to improve performance.
- Standards: Maintain high standards of safety, biosecurity, animal welfare, presentation and legislative compliance.

The Ideal Candidate
Talbina seeks a standout leader who is strong enough to uphold standards, humble enough to keep learning and skilled enough to bring out the best in different people. Character, ownership, curiosity and attitude are valued just as highly as technical capability.

- Leadership: Proven team leadership in livestock,



agriculture or a similar operational setting, with the ability to adapt their approach to different people and situations.
- Livestock capability: Strong sheep husbandry, animal health, and practical livestock skills. Direct lamb feedlot experience is preferred but not essential.
- Judgement: Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain effective under pressure.
- Character: Leads by example, takes ownership of decisions and mistakes, responds openly to feedback and remains committed to learning.
- Organisation: Strong planning, administration and recordkeeping skills, with confidence using livestock-management technology and information.
- Requirements: A willingness to remain hands-on, an appropriate team of trained working dogs and relevant licences.

The Offer
Talbina offers an attractive salary commensurate with experience and capability, together with family accommodation close to the feedlot, a company vehicle and six weeks of annual leave. The seasonal operating structure provides a genuine opportunity to recharge between seasons.

Located at Gymbowen, the feedlot is approximately 15 minutes from Goroke, a welcoming rural community with a kindergarten, P-12 college, grocery store, hotel and sporting facilities. Horsham is approximately 45 minutes away and provides extensive shopping, healthcare, schooling, community facilities and employment opportunities for partners.

Register your interest
If you are ready to help shape the next chapter of an established operation, please submit an up-to-date résumé and a cover letter outlining why this opportunity appeals to you and how your experience aligns with the role. Referee details will be requested as the recruitment process progresses.

For further information, please call Bec on 0455 215 976 or email [email protected].

📌 Lamb Feedlot Manager - Talbina - West Wimmera, Vic (Gymbowen)
🏢 Drover Ag Recruitment
📍 Gymbowen