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Employee Training Practices on Large New York Dairy Farms.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Employee Training Practices on Large New York Dairy Farms.
Language: English
Authors: Maloney, Thomas R., State Univ. of New York, Ithaca. Coll. of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell Univ.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 1992
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Adult Education, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Laborers, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Farmers, Educational Needs, Educational Research, Employer Employee Relationship, Farm Labor, Farm Occupations, Job Skills, Job Training, Needs Assessment, State Surveys, Statewide Planning
Geographic Terms: New York
Abstract: Fifty percent of 60 farm managers responded to a survey regarding training practices and their attitudes toward training on the farm. The 30 respondents were primarily managers of larger farms with freestall barns and milking parlors, managers of dairies with above average production and profitability, and dairy farm owner-operators. Participants managed farms with 49 to 1,200 cows and hired both full- and part-time employees. Survey results suggested many dairy farm employees lacked basic work skills; the higher the skill level required for a job, the more difficult it was to find skilled employees to do the job; and hiring laborers was much easier than hiring independent employees or working managers. The majority of employers indicated they would prefer to hire untrained individuals and train them themselves. The majority of managers indicated that the person most responsible for training on the farm felt very confident about his/her ability as a trainer but that the training function on the farm would be improved if the manager or key employee became a better trainer. Managers responded positively about five alternative training techniques. Most managers indicated they would be willing to pay a modest amount for training services. Management time was the greatest barrier to effective on-the-job training. The two most important barriers to off-site training were lack of available courses in the community and concern that workers would leave. (YLB)
Entry Date: 1994
Accession Number: ED362769
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Fifty percent of 60 farm managers responded to a survey regarding training practices and their attitudes toward training on the farm. The 30 respondents were primarily managers of larger farms with freestall barns and milking parlors, managers of dairies with above average production and profitability, and dairy farm owner-operators. Participants managed farms with 49 to 1,200 cows and hired both full- and part-time employees. Survey results suggested many dairy farm employees lacked basic work skills; the higher the skill level required for a job, the more difficult it was to find skilled employees to do the job; and hiring laborers was much easier than hiring independent employees or working managers. The majority of employers indicated they would prefer to hire untrained individuals and train them themselves. The majority of managers indicated that the person most responsible for training on the farm felt very confident about his/her ability as a trainer but that the training function on the farm would be improved if the manager or key employee became a better trainer. Managers responded positively about five alternative training techniques. Most managers indicated they would be willing to pay a modest amount for training services. Management time was the greatest barrier to effective on-the-job training. The two most important barriers to off-site training were lack of available courses in the community and concern that workers would leave. (YLB)