Publications

Keeping Staff Motivated During Difficult Times explores the often-overlooked impact that challenges such as disease outbreaks, milk price volatility and other setbacks can have on the people working within the business. It highlights the importance of strong leadership, clear communication and supporting team wellbeing, while offering practical tips to help build resilience and maintain morale when times are tough.

This Dairy Insight focuses on the best practice use of boot dips for effective biosecurity for animal health and business resilience.

This Dairy Insight looks at how farm managers can use Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or protocols as part of their management toolkit. When combined with regular team meetings, effective training, and performance reviews, SOPs help farms hit their targets and keep workers motivated. They provide structure, improve communication, and make sure everyone knows exactly what is expected.

Agriculture is one of the deadliest sectors to work in – with farm workers more than 20 times more likely to be killed on the job than the average for all other industries. The latest HSE figures report 23 farm fatalities from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 – a stark reminder to prioritise safety on every farm. Let's work together to make yours as safe as possible.

Opting to have heifers reared on contract by a third party could be an attractive option for those farmers with limited labour, time, interest or facilities. On units where hitting a target age at first calving of 24-months is a challenge, outsourcing to a specialist could also improve heifer rearing efficiencies. This Dairy Insight explores different contract rearing models and health considerations to include when deciding to explore this new enterprise.

What do management guru, Peter Drucker and Kingshay have in common? The answer is, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." – coined by the renowned expert and repeated on numerous occasions by Kingshay. This is considered one of the most important business management quotes of all time, appropriate to your business, as much as any other. This DAIRY insight is aimed at understanding how you can use this philosophy to increase business profits through maximising value and minimising waste.

Frictions within farm teams can lead to an unhappy environment, poor performance and a greater chance of people leaving. That's why it's essential to tackle any problems early, or better still, avoid having the problem in the first place. This BUSINESS insight will guide you through the challenges of dealing with conflict on your farm.

Cameras are no longer just seen as a security tool; they now have multiple uses on farms from monitoring cows during calving to staff training. Nonetheless, there are key legal obligations to abide by when installing such equipment. This DAIRY insight will look at potential uses, price ranges, camera features and legal requirements

Labour is often one of the biggest sources of complaint on dairy farms. However, having a motivated team that works hard to achieve high levels of business performance ultimately comes down to making them feel valued and empowered. That means listening to their individual motivators, investing in their skills and creating a positive working environment. Do that, and people will work hard and stay working for you. It will also set you apart as a good employer and attract the right people in the future. This DAIRY insight looks at the opportunities to empower and motivate staff on your farm and explores different ways to reward good performance.

An increasing number of processors are introducing plans to encourage farmers to phase out calf euthanasia of healthy, young bull calves. Such a move is undoubtedly the right thing to do from both a moral and animal welfare perspective. However, it means some farmers will have to find ways to rear higher stock numbers, whilst also identifying an outlet for those calves. Arla's recent announcement that no calf should be euthanised under eight weeks old will impact on a large number of UK farmers. The key is to plan ahead to maximise the value of every calf, this DAIRY insight publication explores the key considerations.

Employing the wrong person can be costly to a business, not only financially but to the team as a whole. Therefore, the interviewing process is incredibly important, but how can you make sure you get the best candidate for your farm? This dairy insight publication explores best practice around the interview process. Issued August 2019. […]

Many farmers see the benefits of maintaining their machinery, but what about their minds? It is often things that are out of farmers' control; financial pressures, weather, market fluctuations, harvest and livestock diseases – as well as changing policies and an uncertain future post-Brexit – that can take their toll on the mind. This insight […]