Human Resources
Finding enjoyment working with family, youth and their community.
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.
Reshaping how we view training can give employees the boost they need. Producers should take a broader view to reenergize and empower the workforce.
Providing housing options for dairy farm employees at Larson Acres has taken the turnover rate from an already low 7% all the way down to less than 1%
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.
Don’t let day-to-day farm tasks stand in your way of showing some extra gratitude to your hardworking employees.
Dangerous gases from manure, silage, and equipment pose a hazard – often unseen and potentially deadly – to dairy employees.
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.
As the leader of your operation, having hard conversations with employees can sometimes be part of the job.
Half of success is showing up certainly holds true for labor-dependent farms. Although Brett Barlass, dairy manager of Yosemite Jerseys in Calif., shares he went nine years without a no-call or a no-show employee.
Competing for talent is the most concerning human resource matter for agriculture and food employers, followed by recruiting difficulties.
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.
One of the best ways to retain employees and create the most efficient team possible is to keep team members engaged
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.
When turnover on a dairy is low, employees are motivated and teams work together to reach goals, one has to wonder, what are these managers doing differently?
We all need to find and keep great people for our farms. This is truer than ever before. Maybe you have heard the phrases, “we need the right people on the bus” and “they need to be in the right seats.”
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.
The American Psychological Association finds the degree of stress placed upon farmers so unique it has given it its own name, “Farmer Stress.”
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.
Having employees take ownership and complete tasks is ultimately what managers seek in employees. Consider these tips to help boost your team’s leadership.
Meetings are an inevitable element of business, but they can be a boon or a bore, depending on how they are run.
Often the first focus of a dairy isn’t on human resources, but more importantly on the day-to-day tasks. However, leading dairy experts strongly encourage producers to start dedicating time to HR.
If you’re short on employees, you’re not alone. New forces are at work, and I don’t see them changing any time soon.
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.
Dairy farmers and their employees don’t have the luxury of skipping work for a snow day. Know how to keep your team safe and warm.
“I’m here to tell you that the labor market is never looking back to where it has been.”