Labor challenges on dairies are certainly not new. Although a world pandemic highlighted the problem on farms all across the U.S. Sometimes all it takes to help with finding, retaining and developing the best farm employees is hearing from someone else who has also been challenged with farm labor.
Katie Grinstead with Vir Clar Farm in Fon du Lac, Wis., shares that half of success is just getting employees to show up. That is why they implemented a ride-share program that not only helps employees show up to work on time, but also serves as an incentive that their employees have come to enjoy.
Vir Clar Farms milks 2,400 cows and employs 38 full-time workers. Grinstead will speak at the Milk Business Conference at Casear’s Place in Las Vegas on Nov. 29th about labor—sharing their challenges, but also her story of what they have done to set up a positive culture that has helped boost the mood of the farm.
In addition to Grinstead, Jorge Delgado, training and talent development for dairy workers for Alltech, will also speak on labor at the Milk Business Conference. Delgado says that producers are, for the most part, not really prepared to face the reality.
“Milking is one of the most labor-intense areas on the farm,” he says. “Keeping these guys motivated is a big problem. This challenge is the number-one problem not only in the dairy industry, but agriculture in general.”
Delgado says if employees are treated right, they will not only feel like they are part of a team, but they will come to the table with feedback and solutions that will help improve the farm. He also says employees value information and gaining knowledge.
“The best way to train new employees is by explaining the why’s and how’s behind any procedure,” Delgado states.
While labor shortages are certainly not new to the dairy industry, taking a fresh look at how farms find, train and develop employees can make all the difference in the overall success of a farm.
Register today for Milk Business Conference to hear more about becoming the employer of choice and more! For more details and to register, visit MilkBusienssConference.com.
