Some dairy producers say that they don't want to spend money on training employees because they could possibly just "up and leave". Yes, they're right... they might quit, and the money spent on training would be 'wasted'.

But what if they don't? Consider the alternative... How much does it cost if they stay and you don't train them?!?!

Yes, it always possible an employee you spend time and money training might leave, but what if you spend no time or money training that person and three years later they are still there, not doing things the way you want them, and have developed bad habits you may never change? The cost to the operation of that is significant.

A National Pork Producers Council survey in 1998 showed one of the major reasons employees leave is because there is poorly designed and executed training on the farm. If one conducts little or no training, it seems to me you are setting an employee up to leave. It's just a matter of time.

A good training program also shows employees you value their contributions to the farm/business and want to help them grow. As they grow, their self-esteem should grow and their value to your farm should increase.