The measure of a dairy farm’s success isn’t in the litres of milk in the vat or the number of cows in the paddock.
It’s about maintaining the wellbeing of the people who work there because when they thrive, everyone succeeds.
It’s a philosophy David and Sue Fish have adopted in every facet of their farming business on the three farms they own near Waitoa in Waikato, where they milk 1300 cows on 340ha.
The “Westmorland Estate way” – as they call it – is recognition that the 12 full-time team members they employ are the heart and soul of their farming business.
“We could do nothing without them,” Sue says.
At the heart of their ideals is the simple notion of respecting and valuing other people.
David and Sue quickly realised they needed other people if they were ever going to reach their farming goals. As their business grew over the years, Sue says those people deserved the same level of respect they gave each other.
That growth from 2014-2020 saw them purchase farms, improve them, either selling them for a higher value, or keeping and amalgamating them into the existing business.
David says they grew because the opportunity presented itself and he enjoyed taking and improving those blocks so they were in a better state when they were sold.
After a while they sought out the services of close friend, Coach Approach’s Matthew Pickering to help them hone their ideas and offer some other perspectives, tools and processes, to help take their team to the next level.
Each staff member had a one-on-one session with Pickering to identify their goals and values.
The whole team then did an activity to learn more about each other called Tetramap.
The Westmorland Legends Board showcases the staff and what they have been up to.
The SCC on all three farms, for example, is now below 100,000, with the lowest for last season on reading was 31,000.
The Fish’s do not understand why systems like theirs are not more widely adapted in the dairy industry, particularly in the current climate where so many are experiencing staffing shortages.
While there is always a level of turnover as people progress through the industry to more senior positions, more farm owners need to ask themselves why the turnover rate was so high.
Sue says changing this trend can only start with the farm owners.
“It starts from the top and changing their mindset to understand that people are the heart of your business,” she says.
Fact box:
Owners: David and Sue Fish, Westmorland Estate Ltd Farms
Location: Waitoa, Waikato
Farm size: 340ha
Herd size: 1300 cows across three farms
Team members: 12 full-time and one part-time
