Becoming overly complacent or attempting to implement change too rapidly are two pitfalls to avoid as you make important business decisions. If you become complacent, the industry will pass you by and you will lose your competitive advantage. If you are winding down the farm and planning to retire, however, this may be an acceptable course. You must be careful not to move too quickly, stretch yourself too thin, or rashly adopt a new and unproven technology. Unexpected setbacks may cause you to lose everything.
Dairy farming is a dynamic business.
If you want to stay competitive over the long haul, you will have to continue to change and grow as a manager. You also will need to become an expert at creative problem-solving, which cuts across all five management functions. If your dairy farm currently is not as competitive as you would like, we suggest following the six steps outlined in this section. You may be in a position where income is modest, resources are available, you have good management skills and a desire to improve, and you want to continue operating a dairy farm long term. If this is the case, it is time for you to make some changes.