I was on a farm in Wisconsin in January; it was a father and daughter team. They were far from a team when I first met them. The daughter had just come home to farm and was working her way into the business, but she and her dad bickered over every decision.

According to neurology studies, the average human only thinks about seven to nine things at a time. Indeed, there are only a handful of things kicking around in that brain of yours and mine.

They say in the software industry that it’s better to own a slice of the watermelon than the whole raisin. Yet these city people don’t think the same principles can apply to a farmer.

I do believe that the period of time to make a farm successful is when the son or daughter is between the ages of 20 and 35. That is when they have the extra energy to make a farm go. However, before making big changes, I suggest that you first set the bar: “You must be this tall to get on the ride.”

There are family members and employees who use their cellphones too much these days. They are texting everyone, watching Youtube videos or getting up-to-date with their Facebook feed instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing: working.

Too often, farm kids return home to the farm because they’ve been told there is always a place for them. However, this can create a sense of entitlement. They feel they are entitled to a spot on the farm instead of feeling humbled by the experience and driven to earn their keep.

It takes millions to get into farming. You either have to win the lottery or you depend on the hefty support of your family, which is sometimes like winning the lottery. Sure, there are stories of guys getting into the industry on their own, but those stories are getting to be rare and often when told are just that: stories.

What happens if you are cow-rich, land-poor, and your son or daughter hates cows but loves driving tractors? I had a 500-cow dairy farm where one boy was into the cows, and the other boy did the field work.

I hope you read the article “How dairy consultants might use video consulting more in the future” in the Sept. 12 issue of Progressive Dairyman. While I was quoted in the article, I would like to add a bit more of my opinion on the subject.

A lot of my clients use a phrase: “A tiger can’t change its stripes.” I strongly disagree with this concept. Farming is a business which causes you to be humble and daily teaches you lessons.