Latest News From Management

“The single most important tool to predict peak performance is a very well-developed job description,” Dave Mitchell says.

Mark Faust outlines a simple formula to improve profitability and create more value for you and the customer.

"When I arrived at the dairy that day and assessed the situation, three main objectives were clear: Increase cash flow, reduce expenses, rebuild relationships."

From the Pipeline: Q&A with AMPI's President and CEO, Sheryl Meshke

Leading financial experts underscore the importance of farmers understanding the do’s and don’ts of a Line of Credit that will help producers during the downside of the rollercoaster markets they have gotten to know.

Brett Barlass works hard to set a positive culture on his Hilmar, Calif. dairy. The long-term manager finds unique and fun ways to engage with his employees, making meetings more fun and effective.

Hank Wagner, a farmer and a certified leadership training coach, encourages us to lift everyone up around us by telling them not only what they want to hear, but also what they need to hear or just be a good listener.

To boost employee retention, farms need leaders who can effectively inspire and guide others. The job often requires its leaders to possess a handful of characteristics not necessarily used on other areas of the farm.

After a couple of years of shortages spurred by the pandemic, ear tags from Merck Animal Health are in full production and back up to pre-COVID production levels.

There are three areas producers need to focus on to earn the title of “good farm manager,” according to Purdue University researchers.

More than 50% of farmers intend to grow their operation, based on responses in Purdue’s February 2023 Ag Economy Barometer. If you’re thinking about scaling your farm, it’s important to first ask these questions.

Warren Buffet saying, “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2, don’t forget Rule No. 1” is widely known. Dr. Brady Brewer from Purdue University said it is unlikely that Buffet spends much time working in ag.

Three farmers share what they have done to keep their good employees, including how they hired some unique employees that have become a good fit for their operations.

It is hard to think about what our dairy operation could look like three to five years from now. Consider moving one thing on your to-do list off for another day and make time to talk about the future of your dairy.

More states are requiring overtime pay for ag employees. A recent USDA Ag Prices Report outlined that labor expenses were up 7.3.% compared to 2020 and is at a 20-year high.

Meetings are an inevitable element of business, but they can be a boon or a bore, depending on how they are run.

Often the first focus of a dairy isn’t on human resources, but more importantly on the day-to-day tasks. However, leading dairy experts strongly encourage producers to start dedicating time to HR.

One common challenge that pretty much every dairy producer can comment on is labor challenges. While labor shortages are no longer a stark headline, they certainly continue to be a headache dairy farms are faced with.

A dairy farmer’s worst nightmare is to open an unexpected letter in the mailbox notifying them that they are being dropped by their processor. Solid communication between the processor and the farm is essential.

The poet Ovid said, “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” This quote perfectly encompasses a key in business success: small habits done repeatedly truly do add up.

“If you do not run your day, your day will run you,” says Mary Kelly, CEO of Productive Leaders and a 20-year veteran of the Navy.

Over 1,250 poll responses reveal the least favorite job you had as a kid likely centered around weeds and rocks.

Talent is rarer than ever. Attracting it and keeping it is your key to success. Culture is king. Go see your people, and listen one-on-one.

Utilizing an effective management team can help you. As the owner or leader of your business, spend less time on the non-urgent and non-important tasks or duties that pop up every day.

Throughout the country, overtime laws continue to threaten the dairy labor force.

It doesn’t matter if your employees present clinical signs or if they feel “fine,” if they test positive for COVID-19, they need to leave the farm and self-isolate. Here are 4 steps to prevent future transmission.

If you can’t get ahead of your to-do list, try these time-saving tips.

Team meetings can be a drag for a variety of reasons. Turn the table with these six tips.

Producers look at Washington to see if any farm labor or immigration laws will be passed to help the ag industry. Fair Oaks Farms in Northern Indiana, is moving towards robots for the very reason.

This year Fair Oaks Farms was targeted by an activist group; a wake-up call for many dairies who fear their farm could be next. So, what are signs that could signal your farm could be targeted next?

The USDA Economic Research Service on Friday updated their net farm income forecast for 2019.

When considering ways to boost profits, do not overlook the assets you have in people.

Would anyone doubt that a successful dairy farm requires a team effort?

The American Farm Bureau released a survey they commissioned on the issue of mental health and nearly half of rural adults say they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago.

If a megadrought occurs, large-scale water management decisions must be made. Understanding the odds of a widespread megadrought becomes important for planning purposes.

A new survey of young and aspiring farmers shows 60% of that group, the next generation, are female.

J.D. Dulaney no longer drives back and forth to his shop for tools and equipment. “The time savings are stacking up to an incredible degree.”

Online job ads can be a wonderful tool if done correctly. 

President's grades are mixed on four major agricultural issues, says ag policy expert.

A pilot program <p></p>to screen tanker loads of milk for the tetracycline class of antibiotics will begin July 1, says Pat Gorden, a veterinarian with Iowa State University. The pilot program, which was to begin

DFA and Vanguard Renewables announce strategic alliance to bring anaerobic digestion technology to more farms across the country.

Employees are critical to successful expansions.

The Food and Drug Administration rule change - the veterinary feed directive - prohibits farmers from including medically important antibiotics in livestock feed without veterinary oversight. The change will

There are less than two weeks in the Tom Vilsack administration at the USDA. Before he goes, the Secretary of Agriculture is leaving a "wish list" of things he'd like to see accomplished by the next he

On Jan. 1, 2017, the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program grew some teeth, with the voluntary program now taking on the look of a more mandatory program that will require certain agreeme

It's likely corn will stay in the $3 to $4/bu range for a while.

The stricter Veterinary Feed Directive rule set to go into effect on Jan. 1 will require producers to get authorization from a veterinarian to buy medically important antibiotics and administer them to food animals thro

An example of how one farmer is using data from an activity monitoring system to identify the optimum breeding time for his farm.

As you are all well aware, the new FDA ruling will begin on January 1, 2017.