Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. What a fitting way to describe our current scenario. Corn prices have achieved fall price levels never before witnessed. Milk prices are pushing a price spread of nearly two dollars. And our economy is still up for grabs as to whether we are heading into a double-dip recession or building a base for the next growth spurt. In our last article, we talked about seasonality and how the market normally makes its peak prices for the year in the September/October period. This year looks to be no different. What is concerning is how the market is digesting this climb higher and what is happening to the overall market structure.

I frequently meet with dairy science students who plan to be dairy consultants or run a dairy someday. Many of them are already involved in the management of their family’s dairy operations. I always ask them to imagine I am a 9-year-old questioning what is it that they will do when they graduate. They think for a minute and invariably the answer relates to the cow, e.g., “Take care of cows, help cows be healthy and productive.” Often they will mention the production of wholesome quality products. Sometimes they even refer to the business, as in, “Make sure the dairy is profitable.” Very rarely will they bring up anything related to their people, the employees and the workforce. The cruel reality is that, once in practice, they will inevitably spend more time dealing with people issues than in direct contact with cows.

Would anyone doubt that a successful dairy farm requires a team effort? Silly question? Not at all. Most dairy farms have groups of people or collections of individuals rather than teams. Success does not demand a team approach. A farm manager who prefers a team approach faces a tough test of patience, people skills and communication. Team basics A dairy farm can have a team of people, a group or just a collection of individuals. The differences among the three are important: Team: Several people who work together as a cohesive unit to achieve specific, shared goals. Group: Several people who have common goals but work independently without depending on each other for their success. Individuals: Several individuals who work independently to accomplish their individual goals without depending on each other for their success.

As we face the everyday challenges of operating a dairy enterprise, hiring, integrating and retaining employees are probably some of the key activities that, if done well, will help ensure the success and sustainability of the operation. With an ever-increasing number of immigrants working in dairy operations, how we integrate this talent and how we retain the best will help us reach these goals. Immigrants might have some different needs when it comes to integrating into your operation, but when it comes to retention, the way it is addressed pretty much applies to all employees. People are people anywhere in the world. When you ask what really satisfies people and what makes them stay at their jobs, not surprisingly, the answers are very similar.

High-traffic roads around facilities On-farm traffic is a safety issue that changes continually. In general, it is a larger safety issue during the day than at night. It also increases during seasonal work, such as when corn is chopped and packed for silage. Agricultural equipment is bigger, more powerful, and found in greater numbers than ever before. Here are some safety tips: 1. Pay attention to children. 2. Avoid backing up. 3. Maintain a clean and functioning vehicle. 4. Turn the headlights on so others can see you. 5. Remember that conditions and the environment are always changing. 6. Always yield or give way to large machinery.

Believe it or not, your refrigerator could be one of the most important aspects of your animal health program. If you have more than one refrigerator, my guess is that your newer refrigerator is in your kitchen, while the older one is in the garage, porch, tack room, barn, etc. The one in your kitchen may have $75 worth of food, while the ole clunker in the barn may have several hundred dollars of animal health products. The appearance of the refrigerator where you keep your animal health products is not important, but how it functions may be critical to your animal health program. Refrigeration is required for most animal health products (i.e. pharmaceuticals, vaccines). These products should be stored according to the label directions, but generally, these products are labeled to be stored between 35° and 45°F (2° to 7°C). If a product is not stored properly, there is a good chance that it will not be as efficacious as it should be, or may not work at all. Freezing is particularly detrimental to some products and can cause separation of their components.

TRENDING TOPIC ARTICLE: MANAGEMENTPublished: October 12, 2010 print issue of Progressive Dairyman In this article, University of Wisconsin’s extension specialist Jerry Clark outlines several attributes that a successful manager must have, including leadership, empathy and teamwork. to jump to the article. Because this article was so popular, we asked Clark a follow-up question: Of the attributes listed in your article, which three are most critical for a manager to have in 2013?

The first 10 days following calving are critical to lactation success. Producers must help cows transition smoothly from the dry period and into early lactation high production. Cows in good body condition with adequate access to a properly balanced ration, and plenty of housing and cooling, will have the necessary foundation for a successful transition period. In addition to meeting critical transition needs, producers should develop protocols to manage fresh cows and identify signs of post-fresh challenges. “The transition period sets the stage for the entire lactation. Cows that successfully come through this challenging time will achieve higher production and better lactation performance,” explains Todd Birkle, DVM, fresh cow reproduction manager, Pfizer Animal Health. “It’s important for producers to put systems in place that prepare all cows for success while catching those that experience post-calving challenges.”

It’s just another harsh reality of life: We’re all replaceable. Sooner or later, someone or something comes along and ends your reign at the top. Okay, maybe you’re not at the top quite yet. Nonetheless, you’re still working hard to keep moving onward and upward to get there. Or maybe it’s true that you may have already been on top and now you’re trying to work your way back to where you belong. Either way, it seems no person or company stays on top forever. Remember when Blockbuster Video, Brittany Spears, Krispy Kreme and the San Francisco 49ers seemed unstoppable? And then, somehow they were replaced.