In the milk production scenario, knowing what the best are doing to achieve success in the activity is privileged information.
On the American podcast, Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffen interviewed Leland Kootstra, founding partner of the California-based accounting firm Frazier LLP, which specializes in working with dairy farm owners and operators with a vision to be elite enterprises. In episode 94, Kootsra shared a quick list of the three areas he sees the most successful dairy farm owners dominating as they differentiate themselves and their dairy farms for the future.
- Connected to the details
“When I think about my existing client base and the top 10% of managers and what really sets them apart, they take details into account,” says Kootstra.
“They know their costs. They know what your schedules are like. They are contacted because they have worked hard to become efficient,” she adds. That includes “correctly size” the operation, whether it’s improving the right number of employees on the team or the right number of calves being born for that specific operation.
- Manage risk
“The ability to adopt, understand and use management of risks is enormous”, according to Kootstra. “I think we still spend a lot of time thinking about the cost of some of these tools versus what that cost actually gets us.”
He explains: “These managers spent a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money to ensure they are as efficient as possible, which control as much volatility as possible. Why would they expose themselves to volatility beyond their control?”
- They are wise in their practices.
Lastly, Kootstra sees its top 10% as think beyond financial results and to maintain a strong awareness of their environmental and animal husbandry practices and the perceptions that accompany them.
“We live in the information age. We have access to information and our farms are also exposed to broad social networks,” says Kootstra. “Being wise about how we operate our dairy production, how we utilize, understand and research environmental risks, I think is huge.”
And here in Brazil?
In Brazil the Management is also a fundamental pillar of production. Among the top 100 largest national producers, Maria Antonieta Guazzelli, President Director Agropecuária Rex Ltda, 14th in the Top 100 2024 Survey, highlights that “The most sensitive thing we have today in farm management are people, how to form leadership, how to have leadership that is an example and especially leadership that brings commitment from employees. Only through people will we be successful and the results we so desperately need in the enterprise. “
Fernando Afonso Machado, owner and manager of Fazenda Retiro Agropecuária, 87th in the Top 100 Survey, comments on the importance of indices for management: “We know the importance of numbers in running any business and dairy farming is no different. Within Fazenda Retiro we managed to evolve year after year within the dairy activity, which we know is challenging, with a lot of numbers, many criteria and a lot of management. Fazenda Retiro, today, works with zootechnical and financial indicators that guide us and make the activity profitable, pleasurable and safe.”
As evidenced, in Brazil management is also essential to guarantee the success of production. That’s why, on the 14th and 15th now in Goiânia/GOInterleite Brasil 2024 will bring the panel: “Simplifying the management of dairy farms”, where Agropecuária Rex and Fazenda Retiro will share their success stories and valuable insights.
Discover how effective management can transform dairy production and ensure the success of your business. Don’t miss this unique learning and networking opportunity.
Reserve your place now and join us at Interleite Brasil 2024!
For more information or to purchase discounted ticket packages, contact us via WhatsApp at: (19) 99247-5347 or via email: [email protected]
References
Dairy Herd
