John Boote
Managing Director
John Boote is the Founder and Managing Director of Drover Ag, proudly recognised as Australia’s most recommended agricultural recruitment agency.
John’s professional journey spans nearly 25 years, with hands-on management across diverse Australian landscapes, including roles ranging from Farm Manager overseeing intensive beef breeding operations to General Manager of large, complex pastoral properties in the Northern Territory. This breadth of operational experience encompasses key areas, including intensive artificial breeding programs, enterprise development, challenging alpine grazing environments, and vast northern cattle stations. John intimately understands that a skilled, dedicated team is the most valuable asset of any rural enterprise, and that recruitment and retention are critical, often all-consuming challenges. Having spent years recruiting his own high-performing teams, he established Drover Ag in 2019. His core mission is twofold: to simplify the recruitment headache for farms and stations across Australia, and to actively encourage young people to pursue rewarding careers in the sector. John’s passion for agriculture is his core driver, stemming from a deep appreciation for rural Australia and its people.
This commitment extends beyond recruitment; Drover Ag is dedicated to supporting the communities that make up the backbone of the industry. Drover Ag actively seeks opportunities to sponsor and participate in events across rural Australia, reinforcing the value of people on the land and ensuring the industry's social fabric remains strong.
Based in South East Queensland with his wife Megan and their two daughters, John’s practical knowledge, vast network, and genuine dedication ensure Drover Ag delivers tailored, effective placements that genuinely fit the unique culture and operational needs of every client.
Testimonials
See what other agricultural businesses have to say about working with Drover Ag. Our clients trust us to deliver reliable people, straightforward communication, and results that keep their operations running smoothly.
Nicole Obst
Cattle and Cropping, Central Queensland
Owner
Cropping Property, SA
Kinnan Brightman
Placed into Cattle & Fodder Cropping Junior Farm Hand - Southern Highlands, NSW
Sam Byrne
Mixed Livestock Operation, SE South Australia
Kali Reid
Clea Pastoral, Regenerative Ag mixed livestock, Monaro region NSW.
William Hewitt
Wimmera Vic
Henry Taylor
Mixed Enterprise - Western Plains, NSW
Libby Creek
Hillcrest Pastoral Company, SE South Australia
Tim Houston
Cropping, North West NSW
Scotty Mullins
Senior Manager, Mixed Farming Aggregation, Western Victoria
James Pearce
Hereford Stud and cattle operation, Southwest Slopes/SnowyMountains Region, NSW
Anonymous
Client
Gerard Diprose
Farm Owner, South Western Victoria
Scotty Mullins
Mixed Farming Aggregation, Western Victoria
Tim Schwarz
Mixed Livestock, SW Victoria
Nick Miller
Cattle Enterprise, Northwest Slopes NSW
Julie-Anne Beer
Precision Contracting, Central Highlands, QLD
Chrys Gunatilaka
Irrigated Cropping and Cattle Property, Central Australia
Chris Delahunty
Family Cropping Enterprise, Western Victoria
Bronwyn Dowling
Livestock production and Transport, NE Victoria
Emma Stocks
Irrigation & Mixed Farming Manager - Canowindra, NSW
John Pilkington
Multi-Skilled Station Hand/ Machinery Operator - Glen Innes, NSW
David Laidlaw
Beef Cattle Breeder, Grampian Ranges, SW Victoria
Tash Kessler
Sheep and Wool production, Snowy Mountains NSW
Joel Rinaldi
Senior Operations Assistant – Yorke Peninsula, SA with Akaringa Farming Pty Ltd
Josh Foster
Assistant Farm Manager, Hay and Cereal Cropping - Nyngan, NSW.
John Griffin
Central Victoria
Rob Lindon
Livestock breeding and production, Holbrook NSW
Bret Mclean
Large-scale Family Cropping Enterprise – Machinery Operator Farm Hand – Horsham, Vic
Tyler Wilson
Cropping Operations Manager - Yorke Peninsula, SA
Doug Munroe
Mixed Livestock and Fodder Production, Upper Hunter NSW
Featured Jobs
Blackall Tambo QLD
Full time
- Play an integral role, high-output cattle operation built from the ground up.
- 80,000 acres with extensive yard, fencing, and water improvements underway.
- Mentorship-focused role with potential career progression within 2-3 years.
Seeking a person who is willing to put the time in to learn the nuances of cattle and pasture management under the direct mentorship of the owners.
Learn moreCootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council NSW
Full time
- Strategic role transitioning toward operational oversight with absent ownership.
- Modern fleet & technology supporting an impressive 8,000-head sheep enterprise.
- Located just 5 minutes from Nangus and within easy reach of Wagga Wagga.
Strategic Lead 2IC role managing 6,000 acres and 8,000 sheep near Nangus, NSW. Offers mentorship and a clear path to total operational oversight.
Learn more