From tax prep work to updating the balance sheets, sitting down to handle paperwork is part of the course for many dairy farmers, especially this time of year. But another area farms need to continue putting a focus on is reviewing their standard operating procedures (SOP’s) frequently.
The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program, better known as The FARM program, debuted in 2009 and was created by National Milk Producers Federation in partnership with Dairy Management, Inc. Nearly 98% of the U.S. milk supply is produced on farms that participate in The FARM Animal Care program. The program helps ensure the success of the entire dairy industry by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing high-quality, safe milk with integrity.
Dr. Eric Rooker with Dairy Doctors Veterinary Services in Plymouth, Wis., says that he annually reviews FARM 4.0 since all the farms he serves ship to a processor that complies with this program. “Winter is a great time to [conduct reviews], but truthfully they have become less seasonal for us because of the FARM program,” he shares.
Rooker says a great starting point is going through the FARM 4.0 documents which stimulate and opens good conversation. Recently, he had two of his dairies ask him what their biggest area of opportunity is. “This is perhaps a better question to ask than just reviewing SOP’s, is asking producers ‘Where do you think your biggest opportunity in 2022 lies?’” he states.
The Wisconsin veterinarian says doing just that can help create a roadmap for future goals. “Of course, reviewing SOP’s – from animal husbandry to improved ROI - is important, but knowing what opportunities are in front of that dairy producer and ones they are willing to tackle will better position that dairy for future success than simply reviewing farm protocols,” Rooker adds.
Emily Yeiser Stepp, vice president of The National Dairy FARM Program says FARM recognizes that the paperwork aspect of the program can be intimidating, particularly for smaller operations. “While there are a number of protocols that FARM Animal Care asks for, we encourage farms to focus on those areas with the highest vulnerability—calf care, non-ambulatory animals, euthanasia and fitness to transport,” she notes. “Even on a good day, management of these animals and practices can lead to difficult situations. Ensuring that these protocols, among the others, are in place, training to and reviewing them allows for everyone to be on the same page, that practices are implemented consistently and that the best outcomes for the animals can be achieved.”
Protocol Tips
- Protocols don’t have to be extensive if they convey the expected steps that someone would need to take to do the job the same way you would do it. That is what FARM evaluators are reviewing when evaluating protocols on-farm. “They are extremely valuable if a farm needs to have a fill in for a day, train a new team member or in case of emergency,” Yeiser Stepp says.
- Protocols should work for the specific dairy. They can be in the form of photos, videos, or out of the farm software system. FARM also has protocol templates on their website, that are set up in a Q&A format.
- A farm should never feel like they don’t have support in protocol development. Whatever method is relevant and useful for the individual farm should be what they, their veterinarian, FARM evaluator and other farm management team members (extension, nutritionist, allied industry reps) should work together on to develop.
“Farms should never feel like they don’t have support in protocol development,” Yeiser Stepp states. “If they don’t feel supported, reach out to dairyfarm@nmpf.org so we can help them find the right people and resources to address that.”
The best resource to help farms prepare for their evaluation is by going onto the FARM website and clicking on the Evaluation Prep Guide.
