Dairy Labor News
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.
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.
From English classes to a rideshare program, Vir-Clar Farm is finding new ways to attract employees and make them feel valued.
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.
There is a direct correlation between solid meetings and return on time.
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.
When Julie ten Hoeve called her son’s high school to report Ian being absent to help chop corn on the family’s 650-cow dairy farm, she worried about what the school would say. The school’s response eased her mind.
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.
In early 2022, a possible trucker shortage grabbed headlines, but John Phipps says even today, there isn’t much hard data to substantiate that alarm.
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.
The first step to winning the war for workers is to keep your star employees happy. Here’s how three farmers retain and attract employees.
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.
Don’t let day-to-day farm tasks stand in your way of showing some extra gratitude to your hardworking 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.
There are three areas producers need to focus on to earn the title of “good farm manager,” according to Purdue University researchers.
As the leader of your operation, having hard conversations with employees can sometimes be part of the job.
Follow this strategy to reduce turnover and increase morale on your farm team.
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.
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.