Canterbury Grasslands Limited is a corporate dairy farm with 2700 hectares and 5200 cows, running six separate dairy farms in Te Pirita, New Zealand.
A Farm Manager runs each dairy farm, with three to five staff. Canterbury Grasslands uses a focused, performance based training programme to develop individual staff and give them the skills to become good farmers.
"The more focused training we can supply staff with, the better - we reap what we sow," says Carey Blue, HR Manager at Canterbury Grasslands. "We supply good training to ensure staff gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to farm. We send staff through agreed programmes as often as we can, so they all have the same information."
The six dairy farms include one winter milking, two once-a-day milking with up to 1100 cows each, and three twice-a-day milking with 750 cows. Canterbury Grasslands has ownership in a subsidiary called Grasslands Consultants LLC which runs nine dairy farms in Missouri, United States of America, giving staff opportunities to gain international experience by working in Missouri and vice versa
As part of the training plan for the six farms, up to 20 dairy assistants and managers recently completed the Agriculture ITO Milk Quality Programme, Stage 1 and Stage 2.
"Our training goal was to gain more efficiency in the milking sheds and avoid grades. The programme is timely, as staff come back to the farm and immediately put their learning into practice. It's important that learning is used within 48 hours of a training course to get maximum value."
"The Milk Quality Programme increased staff knowledge of the importance of shed hygiene and milking processes," says Carey. "It's a good learning tool and makes staff accountable for what they are doing."
Carey says experienced staff commented that the programme is a great reinforcement of the things they do or don't do. "And for junior staff, the programme opened up a new chapter in their dairy career."
Brent Isherwood, Farm Manager for Canterbury Grasslands, sees the impact of training in the dairy shed. "I sent three staff on the programme to improve their knowledge of where parts are in the dairy shed that need cleaning and washing, and why."
"I definitely recommend the programme, it's great training for staff. It gives a full run-down on areas that can be a problem in the milking shed. Staff learn that they can stop grading if they wash all the parts properly."
Carey says it's brilliant to have these courses, and to have them so close to home. "The Milk Quality Programme fits into our training programme very well. It complements other Agriculture ITO training and is a valued part of our training plan." |
