Set ground rules for meetings

Ground rules are essential for successful team meetings. They indicate what is acceptable team behavior and allow the facilitator to keep things focused and on track.

Ask for ground-rule input from team members and keep them flexible, altering them as needed. Some suggested ground rules include:

• One person speaks at a time; everyone has a turn to speak.
• No side conversations.
• Stick to the subject under discussion.
• Listen.
• Be on time.
• Everyone’s input is valued.
• The owner has final say — it’s his farm.

All discussions and information are confidential and not shared outside the team meeting unless otherwise directed.

1. Corn planting pace turns from record slow to record fast
2. Ag markets seemed to follow gold higher Monday afternoon
3. Online systems keeps exporters abreast of market regulations
4. April milk production up 0.3 percent
5. New crop cottonseed market rallies in face of tight supplies
6. Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally

1. D.C. Watch: Farm bill progressing
2. April milk production up 0.3 percent
3. Class III futures close out quietly last week
4. What are the drivers of profit in your dairy herd?
5. Weather report: Rain spreads across the Corn Belt
6. Lowfat dairy may cut diabetes risk

1. Analysis: Dairy Security Act better for farmers, taxpayers
2. Commentary: Slanting the statistics
3. World food supply depends on character, virtuous leadership
4. Buffet concerned about soil and starvation
5. Cold spring stunts upper Midwest hay crop
6. N.M. rancher charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty