What does an incredible leader, filled with so much knowledge and wisdom, who has had his hand in the tremendous growth and advancement of an organization like Milk Source, teach employees?
In recent years, agricultural employers consistently emphasized talent acquisition, but there has been a noticeable shift towards prioritizing retention as the primary focus in 2024.
The list of challenges facing animal agriculture is complex and multifaceted. This is what Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University Dairy Extension shared at the 2023 Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas.
On January 25, 300 farm workers protested Washington’s agricultural overtime law that went into full effect on the first of the Year. This comes after a two-year phase-in.
Laurenio Vitorino came to America at only 15-years-old. After facing years of hardships and bullying, he found his calling working at a nearby dairy. 34 years later, he continues to bring excellence to the table.
With rising minimum wage and other industries competing for employees, labor prices have continued to creep higher. While we want to blame overtime rules, that isn’t necessarily the only culprit.
To create a safe and comfortable work environment for your farm employees, it’s important to address the specific challenges posed by cold weather on the farm.
The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.
The immigration debate has been a continued conversation that has offered little to no solutions in Washington. Meanwhile, labor continues to be a No. 1 headache that farmers from coast to coast are challenged with.
When the opportunity came up for Schilling Farms to purchase a second dairy nearly 40 miles away, this meant also taking on a dozen more employees. This one tactic helped give their employees an engagement boost.
Labor contributes up to 10-15% of the cost to produce milk. The magnitude of the expense drives dairies to increase labor efficiency. However, labor efficiency does not equate to labor productivity.
The University of Missouri became the first college to land an electric autonomous tractor, a tool that will drive teaching and research into the future.
The House Agriculture Committee’s Agricultural Labor Working Group has released an online survey. Feedback from farmers and employees is requested to provide insight into dairy’s significant workforce challenges.
When it comes to farm culture, actions speak louder than words. A leader’s influence sets the tone and establishing a good farm culture is not only essential, but also vital to retain employees.
Brett Barlass works hard to set a positive culture on his Hilmar, Calif. dairy. The long-term manager finds unique and fun ways to engage with his employees, making meetings more fun and effective.
Regardless of a dairy’s size, a balanced suite of leadership skills is necessary to manage and motivate team members for the sustainability of a dairy’s workforce.
With the exclusion of firefighters and other personnel responding to emergencies, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is now issuing a permanent heat rule effective July 17 for outdoor workers.
Workers who help produce sour cream for brands, including Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Hello Fresh, have gone on strike. Teamsters Local 662 members at New Dairy Select Milk, a subsidiary of Borden Dairy are striking.
To boost employee retention, farms need leaders who can effectively inspire and guide others. The job often requires its leaders to possess a handful of characteristics not necessarily used on other areas of the farm.
An ongoing march to pay farm workers more continues to unfold in the state of New York as agriculture labor regulations have drastically changed. From farm owners to farm workers, this has all led to confusion.
Farming is getting far more complex, says Ted Matthews, director of Rural Minnesota Mental Health Support. Because of that, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself.
As more dairies face labor challenges, the need for extra help on a farm is evident and Miguel Rangel, DVM, a past visa recipient, says that government-issued visas can help fulfill that labor need.
The challenge to attract and retain employees on U.S. dairy farms has been a constant struggle for the past few years. Farmers need to take a fresh look at how they put together a workforce to better attract employees.
Three farmers share what they have done to keep their good employees, including how they hired some unique employees that have become a good fit for their operations.
When it comes to hiring potential candidates from Mexico to come work on your farm, there are many things to consider before you make the move. Victor Ochoa of Swineworks answers big questions on producers’ minds.
On Valentine’s Day, Red Top Jerseys in El Nido, Calif., dairy team suffered an enormous loss, as the dairy lost three of its long-term employees in a tragic car accident.
Feed and labor are the two biggest budget items for dairies. With the costs of both climbing, could autonomy be a possible solution for the labor shortage on dairy farms today? John Deere is planning on it.
In Wisconsin, Vir-Clar Farm has worked hard at building a positive, family-like culture on their Fond du Lac dairy, which includes implementing a ride-share program that is a win-win for their employees and the dairy.
More states are requiring overtime pay for ag employees. A recent USDA Ag Prices Report outlined that labor expenses were up 7.3.% compared to 2020 and is at a 20-year high.
Having employees take ownership and complete tasks is ultimately what managers seek in employees. Consider these tips to help boost your team's leadership.
One thing that farms can provide that can help attract and retain employees— housing. According to the National FARM program, dairies providing housing for their employees is a valuable benefit for farm workers.
A recent USDA Ag Prices Report outlined that labor expenses were up 7.3% compared to 2020. Ben Laine with Terrain says that it’s not about the cost of labor, it’s about the availability of reliable labor.
Letting an employee know how he or she is performing can encourage the employee to perform at a high level, and letting the employee know he or she has fallen short can help reinforce expectations.
Farmers are confronted with a long list of challenges and labor is one of the biggest concerns facing dairy. Arizona dairy farmer, Casey Dugan, recently spoke about labor and hiring inmates on AgriTalk.
There is no time like the start of a new year to take a pulse on your company’s compensation and HR practices to see if they are in line with the outlook and trends for 2023. Here are five things to consider.