66 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Peter & Sarah Walters Success of dairy business depends on Karen Phelps Attracting and retaining skilled staff is top priority for Mangakino based dairy farmers Peter and Sarah Walters who believe the success of their dairy business depends on the right people. “It’s about ensuring we have highly functioning teams and people that are happy to be part of our business,” says Peter. They employ a team of 11 staff over their business, which includes two farms and a 50:50 sharemilking position. The couple’s 214ha total/205ha effective home farm milks a herd of 560 predominantly Friesian cross cows through 40-aside herringbone shed with in-shed meal feeding system and their 210ha total/185ha effective unit milks 500 cows through a 30 aside herringbone shed. These farms supply Miraka. The sharemilking position supplies to Fonterra and is located next door, milking 800 cows. Each farm has its own manager and team of two on the Miraka farms and a manager plus four staff on the sharemilking job. Peter says they aim to provide flexible work hours with a target of 45 or fewer hours worked a week average for each staff member. Ensuring people don’t start too early or finish too late is another priority so people still have time and energy for their personal lives. This also involves not being under staffed so there are sufficient people in each team to easily undertake the duties required. A key aspect of a great team environment is team culture. Team professional development has been undertaken with Rural Coach including a full day on team culture where everyone brought ideas to the table about what a great culture meant for them. This included personality work around how dif- “Our focus is always on making sure our staff are okay but it’s often easy to forget about yourself and take some time out.” PH (07) 882 8611 FAX (07) 882 8610 ROGER’S MOBILE (0274) 952 779 (RD1) MANGAKINO Proudly associated with Peter Walters LIVESTOCK - EXPORT - GRAZING WE DO IT ALL Contact your local PL Agent Colin Old 027 870 4434 www.progressivelivestock.co.nz Each farm has its own manager and team of two on the Miraka farms and a manager plus four staff on the sharemilking job.
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