https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Regardless of whether the injured individual is an employee, family member, visitor, contractor or a member of the general public, if they sustain a critical injury at your workplace, it is essential to report the injury to the Ministry of Labour. Regardless of whether the injured individual is an employee, family member, visitor, contractor or a member of the general public, if they sustain a critical injury at your workplace, it is essential to report the injury to the Ministry of Labour.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63334 Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63334-how-to-handle-critical-and-non-critical-injuries-on-the-farm The 2026 Canadian Dairy Business Summit included two dairy producers who have successfully navigated the farm succession process. Paul MacLeod of Darcroft Farms near Embro, Ontario, and Clarence Markus of Markvale Holsteins near Beachville, Ontario, detailed their respective roads to completing their plans. The 2026 Canadian Dairy Business Summit included two dairy producers who have successfully navigated the farm succession process. Paul MacLeod of Darcroft Farms near Embro, Ontario, and Clarence Markus of Markvale Holsteins near Beachville, Ontario, detailed their respective roads to completing their plans.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63305 Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63305-prioritizing-family-and-business-two-dairy-producer-perspectives-on-farm-succession 63305-pearce-panel.jpg cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Loading cows onto a trailer can be a challenging and stressful task, often requiring careful attention to the conditions, location and equipment being used. Every farm setup is different, and loading areas may vary. Loading cows onto a trailer can be a challenging and stressful task, often requiring careful attention to the conditions, location and equipment being used. Every farm setup is different, and loading areas may vary.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63213 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63213-loading-cows-onto-a-trailer-safely andrew@farmlifefinancial.ca Avoiding succession planning doesn’t prevent conflict – it creates it. Planning early and communicating openly may feel difficult, but it is also the only way to remain in control of what happens next. Avoiding succession planning doesn’t prevent conflict – it creates it. Planning early and communicating openly may feel difficult, but it is also the only way to remain in control of what happens next.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63190 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63190-the-hard-truths-about-farm-succession-planning-why-tough-conversations-are-worth-it cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Operating motorized equipment is essential for many day-to-day tasks on the farm, but it also presents significant hazards. Common hazards include the potential for collisions with pedestrians, other equipment or objects, as well as injuries from moving parts. Operating motorized equipment is essential for many day-to-day tasks on the farm, but it also presents significant hazards. Common hazards include the potential for collisions with pedestrians, other equipment or objects, as well as injuries from moving parts.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63036 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63036-operating-motorized-equipment-and-pedestrian-safety henryverhoog@grandvalley.com Over my 38-plus years servicing dairy farms in southwest Ontario, I have always been intrigued by what strategies make some dairy farms more profitable than others. For the fiscal year 2025, I came to the conclusion that five main factors really stood out. Over my 38-plus years servicing dairy farms in southwest Ontario, I have always been intrigued by what strategies make some dairy farms more profitable than others. For the fiscal year 2025, I came to the conclusion that five main factors really stood out.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63013 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63013-5-strategies-that-make-a-dairy-profitable-today 63013-verhoog-dixon.jpg marvin.slingerland@mnp.ca Year-end accounting doesn’t have to be a scramble. With clear records, early communication, accurate inventories and the right technology, dairy producers can turn year-end into a powerful management tool rather than a stressful deadline. Year-end accounting doesn’t have to be a scramble. With clear records, early communication, accurate inventories and the right technology, dairy producers can turn year-end into a powerful management tool rather than a stressful deadline.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62817 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62817-taking-the-stress-out-of-tax-season-what-dairy-producers-need-to-know cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), every workplace is required to implement a workplace violence and harassment prevention program. This program must adhere to the guidelines outlined in Part III.0.1 of the act, specifically designed to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace. The program must include a clear policy, procedural guidelines, reporting forms and comprehensive training. Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), every workplace is required to implement a workplace violence and harassment prevention program. This program must adhere to the guidelines outlined in Part III.0.1 of the act, specifically designed to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace. The program must include a clear policy, procedural guidelines, reporting forms and comprehensive training.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62845 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62845-workplace-violence-harassment-and-bullying-prevention-in-ontario mpayn@causematters.com Want to reduce your stress hormone levels, improve your cardiac function, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, slow down neurodegeneration and become more resilient? There’s a simple solution, backed by research, and it’s a practice you can do in the barn, office, truck or at home: practice gratitude. Want to reduce your stress hormone levels, improve your cardiac function, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, slow down neurodegeneration and become more resilient? There’s a simple solution, backed by research, and it’s a practice you can do in the barn, office, truck or at home: practice gratitude.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62632 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62632-cultivating-gratitude 62632-payn-gettyimages.jpg cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com If employees are not trained in a language they understand, it is unrealistic to expect them to fully comprehend the safety hazards and risks associated with their job. If employees are not trained in a language they understand, it is unrealistic to expect them to fully comprehend the safety hazards and risks associated with their job.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62668 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62668-the-importance-of-language-in-safety-training-comprehension chris@centraldairysolutions.ca Each farm adviser uses a set of metrics from their area of expertise, but how do they all connect to your profitability? Are we even measuring the right things? Each farm adviser uses a set of metrics from their area of expertise, but how do they all connect to your profitability? Are we even measuring the right things?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62528 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62528-the-business-of-agriculture-does-your-team-have-a-common-language cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Let’s challenge ourselves to rethink how we approach safety on the farm this year. Do you have a dairy farm safety program in place? Is it written down? Do you have regular conversations with your crew about safety? Are your employees getting formal training? Do you make safety a top priority every day? Let’s challenge ourselves to rethink how we approach safety on the farm this year. Do you have a dairy farm safety program in place? Is it written down? Do you have regular conversations with your crew about safety? Are your employees getting formal training? Do you make safety a top priority every day?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62541 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62541-new-year-new-safety-resolution rmilligan@trsmith.com I have had many conversations with my clients about past emotional conversations and assisting them in preparing for an upcoming conversation they fear may become emotional. This article is to assist you in preparing to succeed as a supervisor in those conversations. I have had many conversations with my clients about past emotional conversations and assisting them in preparing for an upcoming conversation they fear may become emotional. This article is to assist you in preparing to succeed as a supervisor in those conversations.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62350 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62350-conducting-a-potentially-emotional-conversation 62350-milligan-emotion.jpg cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Winter weather brings cold temperatures and severe conditions that create various workplace hazards. While snow and ice are inevitable, injuries are not. Being proactive with a comprehensive winter safety plan is essential to ensure the safety of all workers. Winter weather brings cold temperatures and severe conditions that create various workplace hazards. While snow and ice are inevitable, injuries are not. Being proactive with a comprehensive winter safety plan is essential to ensure the safety of all workers.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62389 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62389-working-in-winter-weather 62389-decooman-illustration.coreylewis.jpg Whenever I think about family farm transition planning – I always think of a paradoxical statement. Yes, the landscape of transition planning in the dairy sector is becoming increasingly complex and yet the issues and opportunities many families face today have been the same for decades – they’re just now at a heightened level. Whenever I think about family farm transition planning – I always think of a paradoxical statement. Yes, the landscape of transition planning in the dairy sector is becoming increasingly complex and yet the issues and opportunities many families face today have been the same for decades – they’re just now at a heightened level. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62260 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62260-the-evolving-dairy-succession-landscape cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com At the workplace, team members often engage with potentially hazardous products. Exposure to these materials can lead to injuries or diseases, depending on the type of hazard present and the specific work conditions. At the workplace, team members often engage with potentially hazardous products. Exposure to these materials can lead to injuries or diseases, depending on the type of hazard present and the specific work conditions.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62265 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62265-whmis-chemicals-and-compressed-gas-safety gdc3@psu.edu Human behavior can be challenging to change once habits are established. This might be one of the reasons some employers prefer to hire new, inexperienced employees, as compared to those who may bring previously learned bad habits to the job. Human behavior can be challenging to change once habits are established. This might be one of the reasons some employers prefer to hire new, inexperienced employees, as compared to those who may bring previously learned bad habits to the job.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62043 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62043-does-explaining-why-provide-motivation-for-compliance-in-the-milking-parlor karen@agproud.com Uncertainty has loomed over Canada’s economy for the better part of the year. Graeme Crosbie, a senior economist at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), discussed the dairy industry’s trade environment and provide an update on the current economy. Uncertainty has loomed over Canada’s economy for the better part of the year. Graeme Crosbie, a senior economist at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), discussed the dairy industry’s trade environment and provide an update on the current economy.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62310 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62310-an-outlook-on-trade-and-the-domestic-economy-for-dairy-farm-profitability elaine@elainefroese.com I started writing columns 30 years ago, and I landed here in Progressive Dairy more than eight years ago. This will be my last column (for now). Letting go of this communication channel is a transition for me as I now have successors. I am activating what Shine’s author, Gino Wickman, calls the 10-year plan. I started writing columns 30 years ago, and I landed here in Progressive Dairy more than eight years ago. This will be my last column (for now). Letting go of this communication channel is a transition for me as I now have successors. I am activating what Shine’s author, Gino Wickman, calls the 10-year plan. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62094 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62094-transition-plans-for-you-and-me ester.degroot@cattleytics.com On every dairy, misunderstandings like this happen, sometimes in dosing, sometimes in colostrum feeding, sometimes in milking prep or tagging calves. While some missteps can be costly, almost all point back to the same root cause: people hearing and interpreting protocols differently. On every dairy, misunderstandings like this happen, sometimes in dosing, sometimes in colostrum feeding, sometimes in milking prep or tagging calves. While some missteps can be costly, almost all point back to the same root cause: people hearing and interpreting protocols differently.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62091 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62091-when-yes-actually-means-no-lessons-from-protocol-missteps-on-the-dairy 62091-degroot-6272.jpg cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Workplace inspections are a legal requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Inspections are crucial for thoroughly evaluating all aspects of the workplace, including equipment, processes, materials, buildings and procedures. Workplace inspections are a legal requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Inspections are crucial for thoroughly evaluating all aspects of the workplace, including equipment, processes, materials, buildings and procedures.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62018 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62018-how-to-conduct-a-workplace-inspection matt_groen@cargill.com Over the last few years, Canadian dairy producers have faced a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Feed costs now as much as ever are one of the critical determinants of profitability. Over the last few years, Canadian dairy producers have faced a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Feed costs now as much as ever are one of the critical determinants of profitability.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61856 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61856-does-your-lactating-ration-strategy-drive-farm-profit 61856-groen-dixon.jpg sleblanc@uoguelph.ca There are discussions in dairy industries in many countries about whether it should be an explicit aim to increase longevity. Some assert that retaining cows for longer lactations or more years contributes to sustainability because fewer replacement animals would be needed, reducing the environmental costs of these non-productive animals. There are discussions in dairy industries in many countries about whether it should be an explicit aim to increase longevity. Some assert that retaining cows for longer lactations or more years contributes to sustainability because fewer replacement animals would be needed, reducing the environmental costs of these non-productive animals.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61782 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61782-should-we-target-longevity-or-extend-lactation-length-for-dairy-cows 61782-leblanc-dixon.jpg cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com To mitigate bunker silo hazards, it is crucial to ensure safety protocols are in place when filling, covering and removing silage, as well as when handling gases and performing other tasks around the bunker silo. To mitigate bunker silo hazards, it is crucial to ensure safety protocols are in place when filling, covering and removing silage, as well as when handling gases and performing other tasks around the bunker silo.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61919 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61919-bunker-silo-safety 61919-decooman-7003-dixon.jpg andrew@farmlifefinancial.ca Retirement looks different for each of us. For some, it means ceasing to work completely. For others, it’s a shift in responsibility from owner to operator. And for some, it’s as simple as not being “on call” for those unforeseen events, like a 2 a.m. breech calving or a frozen milkline. Retirement looks different for each of us. For some, it means ceasing to work completely. For others, it’s a shift in responsibility from owner to operator. And for some, it’s as simple as not being “on call” for those unforeseen events, like a 2 a.m. breech calving or a frozen milkline.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61760 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61760-retirement-planning-for-canadian-dairy-farmers-its-not-about-what-you-make-its-about-what-you-keep 61760-leach-hat-.jpg krek0033@umn.edu The stories of farm emergencies are splashed across the pages of newspapers and websites all over the country. Imagine for a moment that the headline is about your farm. What would it say? One way you can help write your farm’s story is to develop an emergency plan, which can help reduce vulnerability, increase resiliency and save time in the moment when a crisis hits. The stories of farm emergencies are splashed across the pages of newspapers and websites all over the country. Imagine for a moment that the headline is about your farm. What would it say? One way you can help write your farm’s story is to develop an emergency plan, which can help reduce vulnerability, increase resiliency and save time in the moment when a crisis hits.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61509 Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61509-emergency-planning-for-your-farm-prepare-today-be-ready-for-tomorrow rsmith@virtusnutrition.com During my 20-plus years of analyzing dairy reproductive records, my mantra has always been "Benchmark against yourself, not your neighbor." Of course, there’s value in both, but my belief has always been that you’ll make the greatest gains by keeping your focus on your own results and figuring out how to improve them versus focusing on comparisons. During my 20-plus years of analyzing dairy reproductive records, my mantra has always been "Benchmark against yourself, not your neighbor." Of course, there’s value in both, but my belief has always been that you’ll make the greatest gains by keeping your focus on your own results and figuring out how to improve them versus focusing on comparisons.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61582 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61582-benchmarking-for-fertility-3-reproductive-kpis-every-dairy-should-watch cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com This article provides an overview on safety practices that can prevent electrical accidents, both inside and outside the barn. We will also discuss specific steps to take if you or a piece of your equipment comes in contact with a live electrical wire. This article provides an overview on safety practices that can prevent electrical accidents, both inside and outside the barn. We will also discuss specific steps to take if you or a piece of your equipment comes in contact with a live electrical wire. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61750 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61750-electrical-safety-tips-for-dairy-farms 61750-decooman-electric.jpg elaine@elainefroese.com Every farm family has a story, and I have had the joy of spending two days with 380 Nebraska women in agriculture at their 40th conference. In her session, Katie Samples Dean, a very direct and farm-owner lawyer, suggested that many plans for succession and transition are foiled or are the wrong plan because Grandma did or does not understand the consequences of her decision-making. Every farm family has a story, and I have had the joy of spending two days with 380 Nebraska women in agriculture at their 40th conference. In her session, Katie Samples Dean, a very direct and farm-owner lawyer, suggested that many plans for succession and transition are foiled or are the wrong plan because Grandma did or does not understand the consequences of her decision-making.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61751 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61751-how-the-older-generation-can-set-their-family-up-for-success-during-a-farm-transition cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com PTO shafts are a leading cause of entanglement fatalities, accounting for 30% of agricultural deaths in Canada. Ensuring safety when working with PTO-driven equipment is paramount. Regular inspections before, during and after operation are necessary to mitigate risk. The following outlines key safety procedures to follow. PTO shafts are a leading cause of entanglement fatalities, accounting for 30% of agricultural deaths in Canada. Ensuring safety when working with PTO-driven equipment is paramount. Regular inspections before, during and after operation are necessary to mitigate risk. The following outlines key safety procedures to follow.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61605 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61605-dont-get-caught-prevent-accidents-with-these-pto-safety-best-practices 61605-decooman-illustration.getty.jpg