Time management: No matter what profession you are involved in, time is always in short supply. However, we can all admit that sometimes we manage time badly and there is room for improvement. Organisation and planning is a great way to make more time in your day. Take 15 minutes at the start of the day to plan out the jobs. Some farmers will write down the list of jobs that need doing over coming days, either in a notebook or on the mobile phone.

Like everyone else, farmers should have a diary. You need some structure in the day and week, especially at this time of year, when cows are dried. Farms with staff will have a white board in the dairy and scribble up a weekly job list. Creating lists in itself triggers other issues, like stocking up on supplies and having them on farm when you need them, or getting help when required.

Freeze branding

For me it’s one of the jobs that makes management easier – and this is especially true as stock numbers increase. You can freeze brand spring-born weanlings from now on. Some farmers wait until they are in-calf, but I believe there is more advantage in doing it now, rather than waiting until next autumn.

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