SPECIAL REPORT | CO DIARY
Dairy lifestyle attracts newcomers to GoDairy
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Some have never been on a farm, while others have a rural background or family/ t’s been exciting to help friends on farms. introduce Kiwis to dairy farming I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm as a career option through the participants have to find a job and DairyNZ’s GoDairy training. get out onfarm. They particularly like the The free, three-week GoDairy idea of working with animals and being Farm Ready Training was outdoors every day. Many have also said launched in June they think dairy offers a good and offers Kiwis who have had lifestyle for their family. their employment affected They have been asking a lot of by Covid-19 the chance to questions – from how cows think get into a dairy career. As a and act, to expectations onfarm, consulting officer, I’ve been how farmers reduce their impact on involved in facilitating online the environment, and how to find training sessions giving people a good boss. an overview of the dairy sector Over the coming few Heather Donaldson. and what working on a farm months,there will be a growing involves. The online sessions are followed number of GoDairy graduates – and other by two weeks of practical training covering Kiwis – coming to farms to start work. animal handling and care, and safe farm As well as working as a consulting officer, vehicle operation. I’m a contract milker with my husband So far, a really wide range of people have Craig in South Canterbury. We’ve been taken part in the training – including IT involved in training quite a few new staff professionals, tourism workers, mums and this has taught me that learning never caring for children and former airline staff. stops.
Words by: Heather Donaldson
HFS ad - OctNov2020 - Dairy Exporter - 230mmWx80mmH - 5mm bleed.pdf
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25/09/20
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• Heather Donaldson, DairyNZ Consulting Officer, Canterbury.
3:29 PM
SUPPORTS A HEALTHY FAECAL EGG COUNT FOR INTESTINAL HEALTH
HOMEOPATHIC FARM SERVICES Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | October 2020
Every farm has its own systems and processes, so taking time to explain to new staff how you do things is vital, regardless of their level of experience. There is a lot to take in during the first few days, so we try to follow up a couple of days after discussing a new task. This is a way to check they understand what needs to be done and are doing it correctly. If you have a new starter onfarm and want to know how you can support them, then visit dairynz.co.nz/onboarding. Good onboarding is also about being a good boss. DairyNZ has an exciting competition under way where you can win some great prizes by telling us what it means to be a good boss; visit dairynz.co.nz/goodboss Farmers wanting to employ a career changer, or see if staff employed after 1 May 2020 qualify for the free Farm Ready Training, can visit dairynz.co.nz/godairy. People interested in joining the GoDairy training can see www.godairy.co.nz
p 07 858 4233
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