n this episode of Have I Got Moos for you, we’re talking RECRUITMENT. Farmers Guardian Head of Livestock Katie Jones talks to Karen Halton, Dairy Industry Woman of the Year about how she recruits, manages and motivates staff, the importance of opening up the farm to other farmers and the public, and why she is so keen to mentor others. We talk to Karen about her journey from legal recruitment to a 530 cross-bred herd farmed on a 550-acre rented farm in Congleton, Cheshire.

Links

Read more about Karen Halton- Dairy Industry Woman of the Year - https://www.womenindairy.co.uk/news/2020/9/30/cheshire-farmer-karen-halton-wins-dairy-industry-woman-of-the-year-award

For Jobs in Agriculture - https://careers.jobsinagriculture.com/

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In this episode of Have I Got Moos For You we're talking SUCCESSION.

With farms often being multi-generational businesses it can be tough to talk about the future of the business, manage expectations and agree what is the right direction for all involved. But it is, ultimately, a subject that needs tackling.

Farmers Guardian Editor Ben Briggs talks to John Johnston, to understand how he and his family went about sorting out the future of the business and came to a solution which suited all parties.

Ben is also joined by succession expert and agricultural business adviser Heather Wildman who uses her expertise and farming background to offer practical advice about how to proceed.

Links

Heather Wildman - http://www.saviourassociates.co.uk/meet-heather.asp

More resources from Farmers Guardian on succession planning - https://www.fginsight.com/shape-your-farming-future-sponsored-series

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In this episode of Have I Got Moos For You we’re talking INVESTMENT.

Farmers Guardian Head of Livestock Katie Jones talks to Patrick Morris-Eyton, who along with his family has recently invested heavily in a new 350-cow facility and 54-point rotary milking parlour at their farm Beckside, near Millom, Cumbria.

With a keen eye on the future, 27-year-old Patrick and his family have made this investment to future proof the long-term viability of the business.

The new cubicle sheds have cow health and welfare firmly in mind, and the new state of the art milking parlour is not only more comfortable for the operator, but has also led to calmer cows and higher milk yields.

We talk to Patrick about what drove him to make the changes and investment, what he's learnt, and the goals for the farm.

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In this episode of Have I Got Moos For You we're talking DIVERSIFICATION.

FG Editor Ben Briggs speaks to Andrew Jones about how he has gone from milking cows to running a bespoke glamping business called Rackery Retreat.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago, Andrew was struggling with milking and decided he needed to change the emphasis of the business. With the help of his family Andrew, who is a man not to be weighed down by such a diagnosis, decided to kick in a different direction.

Rackery Retreat - https://www.rackeryretreat.com/

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In this episode of Have I Got Moos For You we're talking WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE.

FG Editor Ben Briggs speaks to Tracey Roan, one of the driving forces behind Roan’s Dairy, which is based near Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway.

A family farming partnership, they run a Holstein herd and also a producer processing plant which sees them deliver to more than 3,000 customers, both doorstep and wholesale.

But not one to sit still, Tracey is also the founder of the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Womens Network and the family also appeared on the hit BBC2 show This Farming Life.

Here she talks about how lockdown has provided a huge boost to doorstep milk sales, has helped with work life balance for many, and how the women in dairy group has seen a surge in interest since it launched.

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In this episode of Have I Got Moos For You, we're talking BREEDING.

FG Head of Livestock Katie Jones speaks to dairy farmer David Wright, of the renowned Berryholme prefix, about the cow families that have helped shaped the herd.

He also touches upon how sire selection is vital for the future consistency of the cows, which are now achieving an average yield of just under 11,000 litres, and also the importance of balancing the pedigree side of the business with the commercial aspect of putting litres in the tank.

With the 2020 show season cancelled due to Covid-19, this is a timely and insightful look at why the showring still has relevance for the commercial farmer.

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In the first Have I Got Moos For You podcast episode, we’re talking WORKFORCE.

FG editor Ben Briggs speaks to dairy farmer and Norbreck Genetics boss, Phil Halhead, about the hot topics surrounding the people driving the industry - people management, leadership, succession and business development.

Milking 300 Holstein cows at Cockerham, Lancashire, Phil is a third generation farmer who also runs his bovine genetics firm.

Having travelled the world throughout his career, Phil reveals some of the fundamental management principles he tries to apply to his different businesses, why people are crucial to his success, and he also gives his thoughts on the future of the dairy industry at a time of ongoing change.

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