BUSINESS PREP FOR CALVING
Ready, steady... calving
Stay in control this season will follow – the calves will be cared for, the cows milked, the pasture and feed managed – and with less stress and greater ease than when you focused on ‘tasks first’. DairyNZ has plenty of information and videos on getting prepared for calving, help with rosters, getting staff settled into their new job, and also a spring survival guide. Visit www. dairynz.co.nz
Words by: Sheryl Haitana
ACTIONS FOR MANAGERS
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Here are a few simple actions that you can do as a manager to help build the platform for a successful calving: • Get your team involved • Make sure your roster is achievable • Discuss and plan any upskilling your team members will need • Ensure all the appropriate PPE gear and tools are available for your team • Make sure the whole team is eating well • Share what goes through your head as a manager • Hold regular team meetings • Work as a team and lead by example • Watch for signs of stress and fatigue • Keep timesheets for all employees • Keep talking, coaching, and providing feedback – celebrate success
ave you got meals in the freezer and the pantry stocked? Are the calf sheds cleaned out? Have your organised fair staff rosters? With calving just around the corner, prior planning will prevent burnout and reduce stress for your staff. Don’t leave jobs to the last minute, like getting the new calf shed shavings delivered three weeks after the calves start hitting the ground. Getting staff prepared for calving is also crucial. Make sure they are upskilled and new staff are orientated with your farm and procedures. Putting your team (that includes you and your staff) first, then the results
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | July 2021
with GEA CowScout collars. Healthier cows are proven to stay in your herd for longer, and thanks to CowScout collars, you can act faster than ever before if there are potential health problems. • • •
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Detect metabolic disorders early in newly calved cows Identify non-cyclers and possible slipped cows Gain the ability to treat sick cows early, reducing vet costs and recovery times Improve in-calf rates at mating with accurate and timely heat detection Work with user-friendly software
Treat every cow as an individual with CowScout. Call us for an on-farm consult - 0800 GEA FARM. gea.com Driving dairy efficiencies? We can help.
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