Setting up a strong communication structure with the farm owner is crucial for succeeding in a new contract milking or sharemilking role, says Federated Farmers National Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre.
McIntyre says starting a new position is an exciting step, but it’s important to lay good foundations from the outset.
“For anyone going contract milking or sharemilking in the coming season, firstly, take a moment to celebrate that – it’s a very exciting progression in your career,” he says.
“Now you need to focus on starting out really well, which means putting in place some structures so you’re in the best position to succeed. One of the most important aspects of a successful sharefarming arrangement is setting up a strong communication structure with the farm owner. You need to know how they would like their communication, in what form, and how much detail.”
A great way to achieve that is through regular monthly meetings or reports. These ensure farm owners are always aware of what’s happening on their farm and provide an opportunity to discuss concerns before they become serious problems.
“No one likes surprises, and if you can give them a good early warning of potential issues, that’s really important,” Richard says.
“Also, have a process for bringing up issues as they arise. There’s always a power imbalance between a farm owner and a sharemilker, and it can be awkward bringing up small annoyances. But if you address them early, they don’t snowball into big problems.”
Richard advises both parties ask at each meeting: “How are things going?” and “Is there anything you’d like me to do better?”
“That provides a chance for both the contract milker or sharemilker and the farm owner to address minor concerns in a constructive way, early.”
Another piece of advice is to avoid working so hard that you burn out.
“Managing your workload effectively is so important, because you need to be able to perform at your best throughout the season,” he says.
“I remember when I first started, the milk price was really low, and I couldn’t afford to hire any relief staff. I did about six months without a day off. Yes, it saved money, but I reached a point where I wasn’t making the best decisions, and it probably cost us more in the long run.”
Taking regular breaks and ensuring you have enough support staff is critical for maintaining energy levels and making sound business decisions.
Richard also strongly encourages using Federated Farmers’ industry-leading agreements.
“Federated Farmers contracts are considered the gold standard because they’re developed with input from both sharemilkers and farm owners,” he says.
“I’ve seen many agreements written by other parties, and they often focus heavily on the sharemilker’s obligations while being vague on the farm owner’s responsibilities. If something goes wrong, they don’t provide clear guidance on how to manage the situation,” McIntyre says.
Sharemilkers and contract milkers who join Federated Farmers also gain access to expert legal advice and support.
Additionally, members can receive discounts on agreements and employment contracts, as well as support from Federated Farmers’ elected representatives.
For more information, talk to your local Farm Source Farm Relationship Advisor about Federated Farmers agreements and contracts or head to fedfarm.org.nz/contracts