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The importance of good training and workforce retention by Chris Jackson, Export Manager UK TAG My travels continue, which gives me a unique insight into farming and all of its allied industries around the world ranging from tropical to the most temperate of climatic
conditions. The scale of farming ranging from some of the biggest integrators of the world who rely on the latest technologies for precision farming along with large and complex machinery often computer driven through to medium scale business usually family owned and run, down to small scale subsistence farmers who have no other source of livelihood and who are completely reliant on weather and disease problems often compounded by adverse political decisions which can be made in countries far from their own shores. Whatever the size and scale of enterprise, be it crop or livestock production they all have their own particular challenges to overcome. Training is one of the most crucial aspects of running any business Without exception, training is one of the most crucial aspects of running any business successfully, and having trained operatives, businesses then need to motivate and retain their workers. Good training is both time consuming and adds considerable costs to production as technologies advance, then training has to be on-going and effective. Let us consider for the moment the problem for subsistence farmers who cannot afford the time to be away from their business; this especially applies to livestock units where the demand for attention is every day of the year. In the modern western world that I live in, we take for granted electricity, power and now telephones and internet. However in poorer areas where these do not exist, then the challenges of training are much more severe and I would argue that it is in these special areas that most can be gained 32 | October 2016 - Milling and Grain
by demonstrating simple but different production techniques that could substantially improve outputs and incomes. To succeed in these countries, the trainers need to have a very clear understanding, not only of the technical language, but cultural implications as well. Perhaps, more importantly, they also need to have first class practical abilities. The trainers therefore may very well not be trained to high university levels but must have practical skills of a different nature. Trainees must be well motivated and rewarded In order to keep these people interested they must be well motivated and rewarded and held in high regard. Unfortunately they are so often not well respected by society. I believe that it is of vital importance that trainers are trained and then placed into the field so that they can continually transfer knowledge; at this level the instruction must be in the field, and as we move along the farming scale, training can then be based both around the classroom and the practical situation. It has been demonstrated clearly to me that managers need to be competent in all the tasks so that they can ask staff to undertake them. Whereas they may not have the time to perform all of the tasks daily in order to inspire confidence in their workers. This simple principal will also encourage staff to perform well as they will know that their managers know first hand whether a job is being done well or badly. Sensible and attainable production targets should also be set that can be rewarded to motivate and retain staff; the costs of which will then be offset by an increase in production. This is the theme of training that I want to take forward, as we go to more exhibitions with Perendale our next being Agri Link in the Philippines; where I hope that some of our readers will visit our stand. This will then be followed by Vietstock and Eurotier. @AgrictecExports
Cargill and KSE are to strengthen their partnership through a new production line in Spain Cargill’s animal nutrition business will streamline its production capabilities in Spain by extending its facility in Mequinenza with an additional state-of-the art production facility. To do so, Cargill will strengthen their partnership with KSE Process Technology, who plays a key role in this project. The new facility will be equipped with the latest technology for animal nutrition production. This includes several ALFRA dosing and weighing systems, flexible silos for storage of raw materials and an internal transport solution from KSE. The extension will enhance product quality, customer experience and improve logistics. “The new operation provides us with a long term perspective for our operations in Spain,” said Alberto Martínez, managing director for Cargill’s animal nutrition business in Spain. “Spain remains a growing market and to meet the demand, producers are professionalising and scaling up their operations,” added Martínez. The extended facility is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2017.
Jordans Mill has won a Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Living Countryside Award for Building Design & Restoration. The award was announced on Tuesday 4th October at a ceremony held at John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, with Jordans Mill being awarded the CPRE Mark, the highest accolade in the awards.