New program versions focus on continuous improvement
By Farms.com
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is dedicated to continuous improvement in the dairy industry. This summer, they released updated versions of their Animal Care and Workforce Development programs.
"These updates demonstrate FARM's commitment to excellence," said Emily Yeiser Stepp, executive director of FARM. "By working together, we can ensure dairy producers are well-equipped for the future."
The Animal Care and Workforce Development programs are reviewed every three years. The latest revisions ensure alignment with current best practices and proper evaluation methods during on-farm assessments.
Animal Care Version 5 focuses on refining existing standards for animal welfare. Areas like euthanasia, animal transport, calf management, and continuing education for farmers have all been reviewed and clarified. These standards reflect the latest scientific research and were developed by industry experts.
The Workforce Development Version 2 updates the evaluation tool used to assess human resources (HR) and safety practices on dairy farms. The revised tool features a clearer structure for similar topics and includes additional questions regarding communication and performance management.
The National Dairy FARM Program is also launching an updated Environmental Stewardship Version 3 program later this summer. This version will integrate a new greenhouse gas model to provide more accurate data and allow for scenario planning to assess environmental practices and technologies.
The FARM Program encourages dairy producers and evaluators to provide feedback on the new versions. This input will be used for further improvements planned for 2025. These updates demonstrate the dairy industry's commitment to animal welfare, a strong workforce, and environmental sustainability.