Learning needs to happen at the right time so knowledge is fresh and able to be used practically in the farm business, Dairy Training’s manager Hamish Hodgson says.
One course that provides the right skills at the right time is progression management.
“We’ve identified that assistant managers and managers sometimes lack the basic skills that, on a busy farm, some bosses simply don’t have time to teach,” Hodgson says.
“Our progression management course is about upskilling managers in their current roles; getting up to speed with computers, tools and technologies; and kickstarting financial management skills.”
Hodgson knows about the challenges of farming, having previously managed a dairy farm.
He understands that to get some farmers to engage in courses, you need short courses held at suitable times (eg between milkings) and they must be practical and enjoyable.
“Many of our short courses are three part-days and are about enabling farmers to make good decisions. For some courses we offer both online and in-person options.”
Business by the Numbers is one short course for both new and experienced financial planners.
Farmers learn about farm budgets and can look at their own numbers to investigate future options for big-picture goals, like self-employment, or growing their sharemilking or farming business.
If farmers understand their numbers, they can have confident conversations with their bank, accountant or business partners.
“It’s also important that we offer practical tools and techniques and keep class sizes small so farmers are comfortable.
“It’s about getting in the classroom and giving it a go. We cater for all levels so all farmers can feel welcome. Our tutors are farmers or rural professionals, so in the classroom it’s like having a conversation over the farm gate.”
Writing a business plan might sound daunting, but Dairy Training’s short course Write a Business Plan,steps farmers through the process.
At the end of the short course farmers walk away with a five-year business plan, having clarified what they want to get out of farming and what they need to do to get there.
Dairy Training specialises in short courses, workshops, and full programmes for formal qualifications like the Diploma in Agribusiness Management.
Courses
- Business by the Numbers – In-person (three part-days) or online (7×2-hour sessions)
- Write a Business Plan – In-person (three part-days) or online (7×2-hour sessions)
- Progression Management – 9×4-hour workshops
- Visit dairytraining.co.nz for more information and register now – you’ve got everything to gain.
Keep up to date with DairyNZ events
DairyNZ offers a range of events for farmers including discussion groups, field days, business progression and other training events. You can keep up to date with the latest events online at dairynz.co.nz/events.
This article first appeared in the May 2022 issue of Dairy Farmer.
