Emotional intelligence has become a significant topic for development and mentoring as well as a key criterion for management and leadership positions.

Transitioning the farm to the next generation is a natural process. Yet, it can be challenging to have conversations about what happens next – especially if the current owners and the next generation aren't on the same page.

Unmet expectations for performance and behavior are likely the greatest stressor for most, if not all, supervisors. A failure to meet animal or crop goals, arriving late for work and skipping an assigned task are all examples of unmet expectations.

Held at the historic French Lick Resort on Feb. 7-8, the 2023 Indiana Dairy Forum was highlighted by three keynote speakers, a variety of breakout sessions, the Indiana Dairy Producers (IDP) business meeting, award presentations, and time for networking throughout the two-day meeting.

Establishing a “culture of integrity and honesty” might be something you hear in a human resource meeting, not a parlor. But for Eagle Ridge Dairy, it’s a core concept in the barn and key to maintaining a somatic cell count of 80,000.

People will argue that economies of scale is the determining factor for which farms will succeed and which will fail. Is this what you believe? 

We all find ourselves in situations where we need to have tough conversations. No one wants to deal with conflict, yet it's important to remember that productive conversations are still possible, even when it seems like neither side is willing to budge.

Livestock producers can enhance success by identifying and exploiting their competitive advantage in relation to their competition.