The Rural Voice, 2001-01, Page 35criticism, not abuse."
f you want your child to
eventually run thebusiness
successfully, you have to train
them for success. There's a tendency
for parents to teach their children
how to work but perhaps not how to
run a business. As young
entrepreneurs they need to learn hoW
to make good decisions and how to
seek out advice they can trust. They
need skills in strategic decision-
making, planning, communications,
capital investment decisions, credit
management, cost control, marketing,
employee relations and then they
need to have the production skills
that fit their farm. Today, business
skills could be more important than
production skills.
"Feed them, fertilize them or fry
them. I prefer feeding," says Rose.
"Young farm managers need a
college or university education (it's
also a good back-up plan). They
should work for someone else to
experience what being an employee
feels like. They should learn that
other people make mistakes, but they
learn from them. They will discover
that Mom and Dad have their own
biases and fears. Let them
experiment with another enterprise
(with a fixed budget) and they will
experience stress, success, failure,
rationing limited capital and critical
decision making."
While the next generation is
training to take over, the older
generation needs to prepare for the
time they step aside. The retiree has
to find a balance between being
available to help and being critical to
the operation, Rose says. "If you
want freedom you cannot afford to be
critical to the day-to-day goings on of
the operation."
As well, if you're cutting back or
retiring altogether you need to
explore other interests and
enterprises. Keep abreast of changes
in your industry. Try to keep a
positive attitude, telling your child
what they do right. Take time to
indulge in "dating" again with your
spouse. Keep yourself physically and
mentally sharp.
"You'll live longer and be a
happier person to live with," Rose
says.0
HYDRA -SPREAD MANURE SPREAD RS
285 BU. - 368 BU. - 421 BU. - 465 BU. - 550 BU.
Eliminate some of life's
problems (like chains, worn
gears, shafts &
bearings) with
HYDRA -SPREAD
The Canadian alternative in
spreaders.
N. E. HAGEDORN & SONS LIMITED — Paisley, Ont.
website www.manurespreader.com 1-800-707-7271
REDUCE SAND!
INCREASE COW COMFORT!
PackMat®
sand, gravel base for drainage
mattress and top cover placed level to 1% slope
pack material (sand, compost, wood shavings etc
_ •mac
.rte Cr }}
• Akjil
concrete island
Poly Pillow,,
6wpuad ivaied
The Perfect Complement to Any Sand Stall!
Pack Mat is designed to fit into new & existing sand stalls.
Its yielding surface does not allow sand to compact, resulting in a softer bed.
The mattress stabilizes the stall and prevents head down cow positioning.
Owners Report:
* Sand savings up to 80%!
* Better stall acceptance!
* Fresh cows drain better!
*Cows get up and down easier!
Csit Us at the Canadian International Farm Show, Hall 1, Booth 1 171
Toll Free: 1-800-235-7445
PROMAT LTD
pm
JANUARY 2001 31