| 13 Staff at the LSF Muster. RURAL PEOPLE » Lone Star Farms What if milk prices drop? What if winter grass growth is lower than normal? farmax.co.nz With FARMAX you can build a digital twin of your farm and play around with different ‘what if’ scenarios to create a plan for every eventuality. Congratulations Lone Star Farms! We’re proud to support your journey with practical land and water solutions. 03 432 4207 office@sscontracting.co.nz www.scottsimpsoncontracting.co.nz CONTRACTING LTD Quality service with quality results. BALEAGE • SILAGE • STRAW • HAY • GRAIN • FODDER BEET LANE MAINTENANCE • EFFLUENT • EARTHMOVING • CARTAGE policy to advertise in house first to give our current staff a chance to progress.” Leadership development is further strengthened through regular Focus Days, which bring together farm and head office teams for strategic planning and coaching. Matt says that external advisors have indicated that the approach is delivering tangible results with a new generation of capable leaders emerging across the business. Lone Star Farms also places strong emphasis on wellbeing. “A robust health and safety culture empowers staff to refuse unsafe work and initiatives such as an Employee Assistance Programme, living wage commitments, quality housing and encouragement of time off aim to support both mental and physical health,” explains Matt. Team culture is another key pillar. “We prioritise hiring for attitude over skill, believing the right mindset is critical to long-term success. Regular communication, reflective sessions after busy periods and social events such as biennial musters help maintain connection across our operations.” He says staff retention figures indicate the approach is working. “Turnover sits well below industry norms, with many employees choosing to stay and grow within the business,” says Matt. Lone Star Farms is also contributing to the wider red meat sector. Through scholarships, partnerships and its Star Partners initiative, it supports young farmers into ownership and leasing opportunities by providing livestock capital and guidance. “If we can teach and be part of some of the next generation of farmers coming through and they have learned to farm in a sustainable manner, that is how we are having a positive impact on the sector.”
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