Latest News From Human Resources

It’s important the friends, family, and business professionals close to farmers are prepared and able to effectively communicate in a mental health crisis.

To create a safe and comfortable work environment for your farm employees, it’s important to address the specific challenges posed by cold weather on the farm.

From improved telehealth services to reimagined small-town hospitals, the National Rural Health Association is working to help folks in farm country tap into more and better medical care options.

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Hormel Foods Corporation has earned a prestigious spot on Newsweek magazine's list of America's greatest workplaces for diversity.

Farmers routinely handle high-dollar transactions — and the nature of the payments, often through unsecure methods, leaves them susceptible to foul play.

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

If your available labor pool seems to be getting more shallow, Rachel Beardsley, partner at Fragomen, an immigration law firm, says ag business managers can think more creatively.

Attracting and retaining farm staff continues to be one of the most pressing issues in the swine industry. As profitability swings and disease levels fluctuate, here are ways to keep employees on the farm.

“There are some things that we've adopted over the years that really aren't particularly useful and I think in some cases even detrimental to our performance,” says Dave Mitchell.

In 2014, biosecurity changed at Eichelberger Farms in Wayland, Iowa, when an ugly four-letter word rocked the U.S. pork industry: PEDV. 

Positive feedback is 1200x more effective than ignoring problems.

What if there was one tool to focus on using to achieve the best recruitment and retention?

So, how do you know how your employees want, or need, to be treated? It turns out that small talk can make a big difference.

“Most farms don’t have the time, capabilities, perspectives, resources or desire to do all the tasks it takes to run an operation," says Steve Kluemper, AgriStrategies LLC founder. "A lot of growers hire to fill gaps."

In southwestern Minnesota, Preston Maurer works alongside his dad, Rick, on their family farm where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hogs. After he returned home from college, they found themselves stretched thin.

Don’t let day-to-day farm tasks stand in your way of showing some extra gratitude to your hardworking employees.

To boost employee retention, farms need leaders who can effectively inspire and guide others. The job often requires its leaders to possess a handful of characteristics not necessarily used on other areas of the farm.

“My first boss gave me two pieces of advice in my first job: first, your career is a marathon, and second, own your own career,” says Brian Deverman of DSM-Firmenich at a recent World Pork Expo session.

It's hard to stay competitive in today's job market. Here are four reasons why employees are in the driver's seat in 2023.

Why did those three young people choose the swine industry? I think it starts with people they met, network they developed and opportunity they had to tie a career to an industry they benefited from as a kid.

For Victor Ochoa, the TN visa process isn’t just something he talks about. It’s something he’s lived.

Competing for talent is the most concerning human resource matter for agriculture and food employers, followed by recruiting difficulties.

Even though hog farm wages increased more than 21% from 2021 to 2022, the pork industry struggles to find domestic labor. Here's why IPPA created a resource guide to help producers navigate hiring international workers.

Follow this strategy to reduce turnover and increase morale on your farm team.

Particulate matter at high concentrations can affect the health of animals and people. Although the problem is well known, researchers say the exact concentrations within and outside of swine barns is poorly understood.

Little steps can ease frustration and improve communication on your farm.

When it comes to hiring potential candidates from Mexico to come work on your farm, there are many things to consider before you make the move. Victor Ochoa of Swineworks answers big questions on producers’ minds.

Here’s a look at cultural differences that can make or break your ability to create a workplace that is not only inviting for employees from Mexico to join, but is also a workplace they won’t want to leave.

Meetings are an inevitable element of business, but they can be a boon or a bore, depending on how they are run.

President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.

How can Rural America embrace the evolution of their small-town communities through the changing labor pool? In this four-part series, Carthage Veterinary Service and Carthage System shed light on an evolving topic.

There is no time like the start of a new year to take a pulse on your company’s compensation and HR practices to see if they are in line with the outlook and trends for 2023. Here are five things to consider.

Officials have been bracing for an influx of migrants when the authority lifts on Dec. 21. The Dept. of Homeland Security is projecting 14,000 migrants may then attempt to cross the U.S. southern border per day.

Ensure your farm business attracts and retains employees

Certainly, you can attract new employees and hold on to your current staff by raising wages and improving benefit packages, but helping employees feel engaged and appreciated can also take other forms.

Preparing a succession plan can be an intimidating, lengthy and complex process. Here are some important factors to consider when building your succession strategy.

High turnover in the swine industry is challenging in all areas, but there’s no doubt boar studs may have some of the most challenges when it comes to training staff, says Megan Hood, DVM.

The National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health released on Tuesday will cover everything from a congressional push for $15 per hour minimum wage to research in soil management impacts on human health.

How can you reward team members for good work, increase employee retention and achieve your operation’s goals? Consider implementing an incentive pay system to reward your farm employees.

These scorching summer temps are not only taking a toll on crops and livestock, but farm employees as well.

How to develop a “Code of Conduct” to guide your interactions with job applicants.

You are likely making plans for seasonal help. If that team includes children or grandchildren, you might want to consider setting up a custodial Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for them.

The power of encouragement on your farm is massive, says Bob Milligan, senior consultant at Dairy Strategies.

By the world’s standards, they looked like an unlikely group of employees to bring into a sow barn. But to Jimmy Tosh, owner of Tosh Farms, they looked like a group of women who could use a second chance.

Great supervisors and leaders are rare and, in most cases, have worked very hard to become outstanding. It takes knowledge and, most importantly, practice! Bob Milligan shares several time-tested leadership strategies.

What is the best way to fill current and future labor needs on your farm? Never stop recruiting.

Restaurants closing early. Sign after sign plastered along roadsides with businesses looking for help. The hiring issue is crippling everything from manufacturing to the restaurant industry today.

“We know rural areas are different from urban areas, people are more spread out, it's not always as easy to travel to one location that's close to everyone to get a vaccine," Dr. Murthy says.