If the story you tell yourself suggests it’s nobody’s business how you spend your money, ask yourself how you got there and why it has to be like that. I hope you would agree with me that the emotional factors around money affect the farm transition process.

The Signers manage a milking herd of about 60 cows, maxing out the space available to them in the farm’s previous tiestall facility. Thus, they set out to create a new facility that would not only incorporate newer technology into their routine, like a robotic milking system, but more importantly, would provide a greater level of comfort to the cows.

Extra revenue is great, but remember to weigh changes in expenses between alternative plans.

“Most of these farmers do not have a technology or means to understand they have been attacked until the impact has become obvious. There are many cases that, when we are called to go for an investigation, we find that attackers have compromised the business years back, and producers are not aware of their existence in the network.”

What makes the difference between employees who are happy at work and those who are miserable? 

Feeling good about yourself can help the family farm succeed by making you better at making decisions, dealing with problems, negotiating and leading.

With children home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and now with summer approaching, there have been many opportunities to show your children more about working on the farm.

Decide today that you are going to become more self-aware and self-controlled around the way you communicate to your farm team. I strongly believe good communication is the foundation of successful farms. Talking and listening well is the ultimate risk management tool.

Positive momentum will be key for the prosperity of the Canadian dairy industry, as it is approaching processing, innovation and policy challenges – compounded by the constant need to modernize facilities, systems and software – that will require integrated action from players across the industry.