Weekly Overview: Don't Underestimate the Benefits of Training
GLOBAL - Training for new employees on pig farms reduces staff turnover and raises morale, according to a speaker at the recent Banff Pork Seminar. A new web site (also in Canada) will help producers convert stalls to group housing for sows, a conversion still not completed in some European countries two years after the ban on stalls came into effect.
2 February 2015
3 minute read
By: The director of sow nursery production with HyLife in Canada says improved training programmes have helped his company reduce dramatically staff turnover and improve the morale of employees.
Richard Taillefer, the director of sow nursery production with HyLife, spoke on 'Building an effective team' at the recent Banff Pork Seminar.
He said that, once employees have been hired, it is important to take the time to provide the training that will ensure they are comfortable with what they are doing and allows them to feel that they are contributing to the team from the first day of their employment.
Mr Taillefer said that the company's increased focus on training had resulted in a reduction of one-third in the turnover of pig technicians.
Also on the topic of gaining knowledge, a new web site from Swine Innovation Porc planned for launch shortly aims to provide pork producers information they can use when planning to convert pregnant sow housing from conventional stalls to group housing.
In the UK, Benchmark Holdings Plc – parent company of 5m Publishing and ThePigSite – has acquired the issued share capital of Improve International Limited, the provider of veterinary continuing professional development.
Also in the news in the last week, it is reported that no action has been taken against European Union countries that have not yet fully complied with the EU-wide ban on sow stalls – a year after warning letters had been sent out and two years after it became law.
Staying in the EU, the number of incidents of illness caused by the food-borne pathogen, Campylobacter, appears to be stabilising across Europe, according to a new report. The European Food Safety Authority report notes a decline in Salmonella, while Listeria and E. coli on the rise, however.
Do you feel well informed about the use of antibiotics on farms? Our short survey will help give an insight into what you – producers, vets, politicians, industry organisations and consumers – understand and know about the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.
