Dairy Exporter March 2021

Page 33

BUSINESS CO DIARY

milking well were hard to get in calf, with top cows having a 14% chance of being empty in Southland, while bottom cows were at 21%. Ways farmers could target difficultto-get-in-calf cows was by prioritising their feeding during winter and reducing their milking interval. “Making sure they are at the correct body condition score is the best thing you can do.” Although farmers had been targeting six-week-in-calf rates, the national results were following the annual fluctuation of the dairy payout. “This year, with a better milk price, we expect to see it up again,” Jair said. Empty rates have been increasing throughout the country due to farmers mating for less time. “Every week you continue mating, whether by AI or by using bulls, decreases the empty rate by one to two percent. “If you cut your mating from 15 weeks to 11 weeks, which is what is happening on many farms, then expect an empty rate four to eight percent higher than what you’re used to.” He said looking after young stock well was the best thing farmers could do to improve their in-calf rates. “Puberty is dictated by live weight so if your rising ones and twos are not hitting their targets then they will be harder to get in calf.” Figures showed that while calves usually made the 100kg weaning weight easily, it was an uphill battle after that with some losing weight in their first winter, he said. “Invest in your young stock.” He likened mating performance onfarm to the Prada Cup yacht racing in mid-February, which he had been watching on television. “The races are being won in the starting box, not out on the race course. It’s the same with your herd. “If you don’t win the start with your young stock, you are never going to catch up.”

Being a good boss Words by: Keely Sullivan

W

e are approaching the start of a new season, where many of you will be getting new staff members or changing farms. This can be a busy time of the year, but it is also a good time to reflect and celebrate what has gone well over the past 12 months and consider what could go better. Over the past year, we at DairyNZ have been running the Good Boss campaign. We know that most dairy farmers are good employers, something we think is worth celebrating. I may not be a boss myself but, as an employee, having a good boss completely changes how you feel about the job. It can make you more engaged, willing and loyal, even during the busy times of the year. Being a good boss doesn’t require big changes to how you manage your team, because there are lots of little things that can make a big difference to attitude and morale. For me, the key to being a good boss is excellent two-way communication between you and your employee. It makes a big difference when I feel listened to and appreciated by my boss. This can be done in a few ways. One of these is to have regular catchups with each team member. When you get busy it can be easy to push these to the side, to finish other tasks around the farm. These meetings don’t have to be formal – you can take a farm walk or cups on alongside your staff and catch-up one-

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2021

Keely Sullivan, DairyNZ consulting officer for West Otago/Gore

to-one at the same time. Having regular team meetings is also important because it keeps everyone up to date. Discuss what is happening around the farm and any issues, but don’t forget to chat about things outside of work too. Knowing your staff members’ interests can be great conversation starters or give you insights into what they enjoy. Opening the lines of communication can help boost engagement and result in an increase in performance. It can also help you understand how team members can be helped, including training and development. Go online and compare yourself, or your boss, with the top behaviours of successful farm bosses at dairynz.co.nz/goodboss • Keely Sullivan is a DairyNZ consulting officer for West Otago/Gore. 33


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Articles inside

The Dairy Exporter March in 1971

5min
pages 90-92

Unlocking efficiency with Three Way Cross

2min
page 88

Lowering nitrogen without breaking the bank

2min
page 89

Teat spray equals happy cows

5min
pages 86-87

Health and safety when going off-road

5min
pages 84-85

Genetic engineering now editing

7min
pages 81-83

Feed additive promises to cut methane emissions

6min
pages 79-80

Irrigation, hunting the life for Lincoln University student Jack Taggart

6min
pages 76-78

MPI’s new chief biosecurity officer talks Mycoplasma bovis

5min
pages 74-75

exports Ways to reduce your farm’s footprint

14min
pages 68-73

Opinion: Investment in innovative food companies on rise

3min
pages 46-47

Tetraploid ryegrass, clover could lower nitrogen levels

5min
pages 36-37

South Taranaki couple find value in autumn calving

7min
pages 38-41

Northland dairy farmers breathe new life into drought pastures

7min
pages 34-35

CO Diary: How to be a good boss

3min
page 33

Southland SMASH info day supports sharemilkers

4min
pages 30-32

Growth: Cor and Christine Verwey are now multiple farm owners

11min
pages 22-27

Succession: Creating a workable farm succession plan

3min
pages 28-29

Lessons from Covid-19: Keep calm and carry on farming

8min
pages 14-17

Waikato farmers Nic and Kirsty Verhoek would welcome a bit of rain

3min
page 11

Frances Coles takes stock in autumn

3min
page 9

George Moss is confident of a bright future

3min
pages 12-13

John Milne checks out summer crops for his West Coast farm

2min
page 10
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