2023 was hard work! Lets focus on ending it on a high!

Newsletter #10

It seems to be a constant theme that these newsletters are written whilst the rain hammers down outside! It is a very dull, wet Saturday morning once again in East Cambridgeshire. I expect for most, this rain now will signal the end of anymore land work this side of the new year. It was already probably too wet before today’s awful forecast to be honest.

With this in mind, and me putting my Farm Managers hat on, I want to look at what I think would be useful for the majority of (arable) farm businesses to get done before the Christmas period hits us. A list of tasks to complete, that will ensure the year is finished on a strong point and will mean coming back to the farm after Christmas with an organised plan of attack.

My top 5 tasks to get done before Christmas;

1. Get holidays and time off agreed and confirmed with everyone asap

   • Who is off and when? Do you need any cover? What about the stores that will need checking occasionally? Make a plan and share it around.

   • Peoples views will differ on time off around Christmas, try to accommodate individual needs, without compromising the time off you need. Ideally everyone has the same 2 weeks off for example, but be flexible where possible! And make sure the plan is visible for everyone.

   • Probably a good time to also look at any remaining holiday allocations that need using up and to plan for anymore holidays before spring work gets busy from March onward.

   • Clarity on time off is so important, don’t just expect your holiday expectations will be the same as everyone else!

2. Review H24 budget

   • If its not been done, probably a good time now to review the cropping that was set back in the summer and update accordingly. Probably worth adjusting potential yields as well considering the autumn we have had. What about prices too?

   • Good or bad position, it’s best to be aware of it and that will help drive decision making in the new year.

   • H23 projections could now be updated if crops like beet and potatoes are finished and yields are known?

3. Take stock of EVERYTHING!

   • Now is the time to get an accurate account of where the farm is with all the stock and produce that is being held.

   • Sprays, chem and fert are the obvious inputs to record and update stocks, how are we then positioned going into the new year? Don’t let any uncertainty creep in and be a distraction whilst you are off etc.

   • Crops in store - have these been going out during the autumn? If so, do another stock take. Check the condition of these whilst your at it. Do cooling fans need to be running over the break? If so, make a plan and check that timers / sensors are working etc.

   • Get fuel levels checked - especially any that might run out before the new year (heating oil🤦‍♂️ ).

   • Have the wearing metal and spares been looked at since harvest? If not, get this done as well. Especially if you are wanting to crack on with machinery maintenance in January. Get the parts ordered NOW!

4. Staff Development plans / appraisal preparation.

   • Jan and Feb will typically be months where training and staff development happens. If things are in place, brilliant and well done! If not, sit down with individuals and map things out. Get courses and training booked in before the break, so everyone knows what these important months look like.

   • If appraisals are due in Jan, then get prepping for them now. Give out appraisal forms before the break and ask for to be completed by the time work starts again.

   • What about any new staff members needed in 2024? It’s not a bad time to start looking even for harvest casuals now, get in there early.

5. Organise Machinery Maintenance

   • With the drilling campaign dragging on, I expect majority of businesses won’t of had a chance to complete much machinery maintenance this side of Christmas. Which makes getting a clear and concise maintenance schedule in place for January even more important.

   • Sit down with operators and go through EVERY machine, even that old set of discs that only gets used once or twice a year! Get spares ordered. What machines take priority? Get them done first! Allocate every machine to someone - accountability is key!

   • Are there any real big tractor services due that dealers need to be aware of? If so, get them booked in now. Don’t forget the combine!

   • Is the pressure washer working as it should? Do staff all have water proofs etc? Is there plenty of grease / oils etc in the shed?

By focusing on these 5 areas, getting a plan in place and being organised - will ultimately mean everyone should be able to wrap things up for 2023 with a positive mindset. The start of 2024 will be organised and everyone will be ready to hit the ground running.

If you have got all these areas covered and well in hand, very well done! What a great place to be! If not, take some time to get things in place. If you need a little assistance and / or encouragement with any of the above, I will be more then happy to help. Just drop me a line to start a conversation.

Take care,

Ben

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