Would You Want to Work on Your Dairy?

By Catalina Mejia-Bonilla, DVM, The Dairy Authority

Sometimes, we become so overwhelmed with the details of running a dairy – or so complacent with the routine of operations – that we forget about the people who keep those wheels turning every day.

For a moment, put yourself in the shoes of a shift milker, calf feeder, or maternity attendant on your dairy. Would you enjoy and feel motivated and appreciated doing their job? In short, would you want to work for you?

When I am on farms I strive for open, two-way communication. That’s how I can make sure the employees who care for the animals understand the issue and solution, and that they feel comfortable enough to ask questions. Sometimes that leads employees to discuss concerns about a lack of feedback and communication on-farm.

On a dairy that does not provide positive feedback, employees often voice the following concerns:

• Frustration. Employees want to know if their efforts meet expectations. They want to do a good job but without feedback they can’t be sure. 

• Unease. A lack of communication -- both positive feedback and constructive criticism -- can make employees feel uncertain about their roles and responsibilities, which leads to a fear of making mistakes. 

• Unsure of expectations. When employees don’t have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, it can hinder their ability to perform effectively and contribute to team goals. 

• Desire for improvement. From my experience, most employees want to do a good job, to learn more, to advance their skills and be part of a team. Without feedback they often feel stagnant in their roles, unsure of how to improve, and start to question if this job is a good fit.

• Need for open dialogue. Employees want to feel comfortable discussing concerns and receiving guidance from a manager. Positive feedback with open communication helps create trust which means employees will be more inclined to report concerns that they may see such as procedural drift or animal mishandling.

Providing positive feedback to employees is an investment in the success of your dairy that doesn’t cost a lot but can yield big benefits, including:

• Boosts morale. Recognizing workers for their hard work, with either verbal praise or small rewards, creates a more positive work environment, and makes employees feel appreciated.

• Encourages best practices. When you highlight the positive results that occurred from employees taking specific actions, such as following improved milking procedures or adhering to a change in animal handling, it reinforces those behaviors.

• Impact on retention. Providing positive feedback can help reduce turnover. Workers who feel recognized and valued are more likely to stay.

• Promotes a learning culture. Recognizing and celebrating successes encourages a culture of continuous improvement, where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and learning from one another.

• Increases accountability. When employees know that their contributions are noticed, they are more likely to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence.

• Building a positive culture. When you have a culture of positive feedback it enhances teamwork and communication. And when workers feel appreciated, they’re more likely to collaborate effectively and share knowledge, leading to a more efficient team that is working toward the same goals.

Many producers and managers struggle to establish a workplace culture with an open-door policy for two-way communication. But when dairy managers intentionally embrace positive feedback and show respect for employees’ opinions good things happen. In operations where there is an established culture of feedback, workers expect to receive both recognition and constructive criticism. 

It is this balance that helps them grow in their roles and feel comfortable and empowered to communicate with management. Remember, an investment in your employees’ well-being is really an investment in the care of your animals and in the success and sustainability of your dairy farm business.