Farmstrong

Learning new things is a chance to change things up.

much rain or not enough rain. It is the same with the payout, whether it is a dairy payout or the land price, beef price, wool price, whatever. In farming and in life you have got to learn to roll with the punches to a certain extent.

It is all about keeping perspective and looking at what you can have an influence on and how can you do it positively. There is nothing worse than always seeing the negatives in something. The easiest way is to turn the situation around and ask yourself what the positive is.

What is the opportunity here to change or learn something? Whether it is changing a fenceline or a new water system or how you operate as a team with staff. Having the right mindset and being prepared to learn is a real asset when you are feeling under the pump.

There are so many chances to learn and grow in farming and I know this is what I am really looking forward to. I know I am going to enter the industry at the bottom of the chain and have to work my way to the top. Hopefully, I have got a bit of time to do that but that is one thing that excites me about farming – there is always a chance to get better.

Learning also gives us a fresh perspective on things and often reminds of us why we love what we are doing in the first place. For example, I recently decided to try something different and did a rugby coaching course. It means in future I’ll be able to referee things like kids’ sport.

It was interesting because it definitely challenged me. As a senior player I am used to looking at things from a player’s perspective. This has given me a better understanding of what the coaches are trying to do. I think the lessons are relevant for anyone working with a team.

It makes you realise that when you want to pass on skills to others you really need to work out how people prefer to learn and receive information and that everyone is different.

Some people prefer learning by discovery – you have just got to let them go and let them make the mistakes. Other people want you to show them and tell them. Some people need regular encouragement, others more direct feedback without the small talk.

Rather than guessing, it is worth asking people how they want to receive feedback. I have learned from sport that if you ask, people will give you an honest answer.

So doing that coaching course has been interesting and opened a few different doors for me. From a personal perspective I have also enjoyed just doing something a little bit different compared to playing and training.

Learning new things is a chance to change things up. n

Sam Whitelock says there are many opportunities to grow and learn in farming, as there are in sport.

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Since 1905, we’ve remained true to what it means to be a mutual. For example, putting profits back into the business instead of shareholders’ pockets. If that sounds good to you, ask around about us. Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466. FMG0862FWFPS_H We’re here for the good of the country. THE FEELING’S MUTUAL. PROUD OF YOUR FAMILY HERITAGE? Lively Fonterra election tipped Vol 18 No 31, August 12, 2019 farmersweekly.co.nz $3.95 Incl GST Best trade/specialist publication and website – Voyager Media Awards 2019 Big tick for farmers T HE red meat industry hopes to ramp up its Taste Pure Nature brand campaign on the back of the latest international climate change report. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is being welcomed by New Zealand farming leaders as an endorsement of our low impact systems and the importance of maintaining food production. The IPCC says land on which we rely for food, water, energy, health and wellbeing is already under pressure and climate change will exacerbate that through desertification and land degradation potentially affecting food security. The report’s advocacy of a balanced diet including animal protein sourced from resilient, sustainable, low greenhouse gas systems is an endorsement for NZ, Beef + Lamb chief insight officer Jeremy Baker says. “This is the NZ red meat production system. “It is definitely not saying that we all need to become vegetarian or vegan.” It is an opportunity to ramp up promotion of the Taste Pure Nature brand, to tell 40 million global meat eaters about NZ’s low- carbon footprint, he says. DairyNZ climate change ambassador Trish Rankin is heartened the report says some sectors need to reduce their emissions faster to ensure food production is not jeopardised. “We need food so other sectors need to do better. “This is a breath of fresh air for someone to finally say that.” Rankin says while previous reports have been scathing of farming, this one is less so. “I felt like this report has helped us turn a corner, that farmers are affected by climate change but we also really need them.” The report found global food systems account for a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural emissions of nitrous oxide and methane are increasing. But land also has a role as a carbon sink, absorbing 30% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2017. Crop production is being affected by higher temperatures, changing rain patterns and greater frequency of extreme events. The report warns consumption patterns, land management and population growth will determine the planet’s future in a changing climate. “Pathways with higher demand for food, feed, and water, more resource-intensive consumption and production and more limited technological improvements in agriculture yields, result in higher risks from water scarcity in drylands, land degradation and food insecurity.” Report contributor Associate Professor Anita Wreford, of Lincoln University’s Agribusiness and Economic Research Unit, says it shows the importance of not implementing contradictory policies. “The report is highly relevant for NZ as we grapple with the trade-offs involved with reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change, managing the areas we value and maintaining and supporting our communities and societies in this process. Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz ON-FARM training courses have an important role to play in agriculture’s future, Feilding High School student Meaghan Reesby says. The year 13 pupil plans study agri-commerce at Massey University next year but said not everyone interested in agriculture wants to go to university. Some people prefer a more hands- on approach, whether that is through a cadetship or beginning a job and building their knowledge through courses offered by workplace training providers such as Primary ITO. She said there should always be an opportunity to do practical training because trained staff have a better understanding of how their workplaces, such as farms, function, which is good for employers and employees. Feilding High School pupils can build their practical farming experience while at school by taking courses offered through Gateway, a programme for young people in their last year of school that allows them to complete training made up of theory and practical unit standards. Reesby said the role that form of training plays in increasing the skills of people in agriculture should not be overlooked and any future changes in how training course are delivered needs to remember that. The daughter of Himatangi dairy farmers, Meaghan’s brother works on the family farm, complementing what he learns at work with practical courses, while her sister also is also full time on the farm, fitting her Massey course work around that. Education options vital MORE: P3 DAIRY FARMER October 2019 1 1 October 2019 Keeping everyone happy Small company doing big things Government isn’t fooling ag industry Supplementary feeding and nutrition n Effluent Embracing the Kiwi way $8.95 Incl GST An English lass is getting stuck into learning about pasture

Add rolling to your down cow routine

Katherine DeWitt

DairyNZ developer

CALVING is on us and with it comes an increased risk of down cows.

Living on-farm I know first-hand how disappointing a down cow can be.

It’s upsetting to see your cows unwell and means putting other jobs on hold and can add a bit of stress to your day.

If down cows are not properly cared for their chances of recovery are lower. So, delivering high standards of care for all down cows will increase your cows’ chances of recovery and ultimately reduce pressure on the farm team during an already busy time.

Providing shelter or a cover, easy-to-eat and reach food, water and pain relief are all part of a high standard of care.

Rolling is another aspect you should add to your down cow care routine until your cow is ready to be lifted.

Everyone wants to get a down cow back on her feet and returned to the herd as quickly as possible.

However, lifting a cow before she’s ready to stand can do more harm than good.

The wings of the pelvis, where hip lifters are attached, are not designed to bear the cow’s weight. A cow that isn’t prepared or able to hold her own weight is at risk of skin, muscle and bone damage during lifting.

It’s important to note which leg a down cow is sitting on each time you check her.

If she can’t swap sides one back leg will take all the pressure from her body weight. This can reduce that leg’s circulation and lead to nerve and muscle damage. with DairyNZ

You’ll notice that if she tries to stand the stronger leg will usually push her onto her weaker leg – the leg she always sits on – causing further damage.

If she cannot swap sides by herself she needs to be rolled regularly onto her other side, especially if she’s trying to stand up. Down cows should be rolled two to four times a day so it’s a good idea to have one team member responsible for keeping track of her care.

Cows lifted incorrectly or before they are ready to stand can have a poorer chance of recovery than those that are not lifted. Only cows likely to be able to bear their own weight should be lifted.

If in doubt, roll her instead of lifting –it takes less time and is less risky to the cow. n

MORE:

dairynz.co.nz/down-cows