Should farm gypsies rethink before taking the next step?

It is a familiar sight which sums up the traditional path of progression in New Zealand’s dairy industry.

Recently, more awareness of the disruption the move can have on families, small rural communities and schools, has led to discussion in the industry about whether there is another way.

DairyNZ strategy and investment leader, people and business, Mark Paine says discussion stemmed from a workshop two years ago when people from different sectors of the industry looked at improving the reputation and experience of working in dairying. Getting away from the traditional gypsy day was one of the issues explored.

“When we dug into it, there was agreement that it is incredibly disruptive for rural communities and schools. Secondly it has a fairly negative impact in terms of stock movement for locals.”

Disruptive to relationships?

He also asks if change every June 1 causes unnecessary uncertainty in farming relationships. 

“[How can we] get the balance right between progression, which is a good thing, and continuity in the industry making sure that people stay long enough to stick with the farm system, understand the particular farm they are on and have it humming, which is a three year plus experience.

“When effective employment relationships are operating you don’t want to have the expectation of gypsy day bringing that to an end. If things are going great then focus on the things that will make it go better. Don’t stop the whole thing because there is this industry expectation that it’s gypsy day, it’s time to move.”

Paine says farmers will never get away from the physical reality of having to move stock and equipment on the day itself, but he suggests phasing a family’s move to better suit children and the communities they move into. More could be made of the weeks before the new season, once cows have been dried off.

There can even be opportunities to move families during January. DairyNZ Southland/South Otago regional leader Richard Kyte says it is possible for people to move to new farms throughout the year. “There’s a school of thought that January is a better time because it allows more time to adjust to a new farm and for training, instead of new staff being thrust into the new season and calving when it’s all go.

“You’re still not going to get away from stock on the road and the physical aspect. From a farming systems perspective you can’t be moving any other time. But it’s at a higher level we’re talking, it’s about families.”

Communities count

DairyNZ Taranaki regional leader Katrina Knowles says it’s hard to get away from gypsy day because dairy farming is so season focused and it’s the way things are geared up.

She says farming communities can contribute to the successful shift of a sharemilker or employees by offering help and making people feel welcome.

“If communities provided some sort of orientation pack, for example telling new people where the doctors and sports clubs are, it would be hugely beneficial. Farming is cooperative by nature and people will work together to help each other out.”

Knowles says she has heard of farmers offering sharemilkers or employees help, for example looking after children for a couple of days during the moving process or providing a meal.

Arrangements can be made to start the shift early by moving equipment that is not being used, but agreement needs to be gained first.

She says there are pitfalls in moving to a farm early and the key is not to interrupt the business of either farm. Planning to shift farms starts way back in November as a sharemilker needs to keep production up, ensure there is plenty of feed for the new sharemilker and make sure the stock are in good condition to travel.

Communication and planning are key

Chris Withy, who with wife Charleen milks 440 cows on a 140ha farm in Benmore, Southland, says moving at any other time than June 1 would be great in an ideal world, but is hard to manage. He says gypsy day requires communication and planning.

“To move earlier you have to sit down with the farm owners who you probably don’t know too well and see if it’s okay. If it is, you still have to actually put it in place.

“Moving one’s belongings, stock and equipment out while someone else moves in is not simple.”

Everyone agrees on the need for good communication and Paine says it is important to set out clear understandings from the beginning.

“You’ve got to set clear expectations in a contract so there are no surprises. It’s not like this could ever be a centrally planned thing in the industry. This is more a negotiation between the parties and providing options, 

Says Withy, “It must take into account more of the family and community impact – what works for everyone.”

Paine says the industry is now discussing options to better support progression and support communities during times of significant change like gypsy day. 

“While June 1 will always be with us, good planning up to this date and effective communication surrounding the move is crucial to minimising stress and disruption to families and communities.”

• This article was originally published in Inside Dairy April 2015