Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined as measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a business meets its objectives. They help managers evaluate how their dairies are doing at given points in time.

You can know cows. You can know crops. You can know the markets. But experience has shown me a dairy owner’s real success is rooted in his or her ability to manage people.

Nearly every day, a dairy producer asks us if we know of anyone looking for work. Milkers and herdsmen are in great demand here in the Midwest, and many feeder and manager positions are open as well. As your business grows or an employee moves on, you are tasked with hiring a quality employee. While you may dread this process, employees are the lifeblood of any business.

Many people who work with cows on a daily basis have a solid understanding of cow behavior. Cows are fairly predictable. What about the people you work with? Is their behavior predictable? How do we influence co-workers to perform day-to-day activities in a way that continually improves such things as safety, cow health, production and profitability?

How will 2013 affect your employees? For many dairy producers, 2013 may be a challenge as surging feed prices have driven the cost of production to new highs. Are your workers aware of this situation? Do they understand your expectations or have they been receiving mixed messages during these stressful times? Who do they go to for answers when they have questions?