The Rural Voice, 1998-01, Page 475. Do not close your mind.
6. Do not finish for the other person.
7. Do not permit wishful listening on
your part (hearing what you want to
hear).
8. Do not rehearse your response
while listening to the other person.
9. Do not put the other person off by
saying, "This beUer be quick, I'm in a
hurry."
One of the most useful tips I have
found for communication is the
90/10/5 rule. What this rule says is
that when you encounter
communication problems or conflict
you should spend 90 per cent of your
time listening and 10 per cent of your
time asking open-ended questions
that help the other person to disclose
their feelings and point of view. The
5 stands for the practice of pausing
for 5 seconds after the person has
finished speaking before giving a
reply. Often the person will add
information that will help you see the
problem more clearly and also it can
prevent you from making a hasty and
ill advised comment.
Another point to remember is that
we are least likely to accept a
criticism in the moments just after we
have put forth a proposal or
suggestion. As time passes and we
are asked to expand to respond to
questions we become more open to
suggested changes. Next time a
family member makes a suggestion
don't comment on it right away.
Rather take the time to ask some
questions. If a modification is
needed the person will be much more
open to it.
Working with family members in
a business can be both profitable and
highly rewarding. Improving and
practising our own communication
skills can ensure continued success
and good family relationships.0
How to make and
market your
agri-food products
Individuals and companies looking
to make and sell food products —
from jam at the local farmer's market
to bottled drinks for mass distribution
— now have access to a complete
Advice
reference manual published by the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
The Food Processor's Reference
Manual walks the new food
manufacturer through key topics such
as researching, organizing a business,
protecting your ideas, liability and
insurance, consumer protection,
location and manufacturing, strategic
marketing, distribution and financial
management. The final chapter
explains why, or if, a formal business
plan is needed and how to draft one.
The manual lists phone numbers
and addresses for many useful
contacts. The material is also handy
as a reference for existing food
companies and as an orientation tool
for new staff in food manufacturing
companies. The information is
presented in a 250 -page binder that
allows easy updates on new services,
additions and changes.
The Food Processor's Reference
Manual is available for $30.00 plus
GST and may be ordered from the
OMAFRA Publications Order Desk
in Guelph at 519-826-3700 or 1-888-
4-OMAFRA (1-888-466-2372)
(proceed on ministry's telephone
menu to Publications). Orders can be
faxed to 519-826-3358. Mail orders
should be addressed to Publication
Order Desk, OMAFRA, 1 Stone
Road West, Guelph, Ontario NIG
4Y2.0
Dairy producers
change rations to
cope with feed
concerns
By Beth Wheeler
Dairy Cattle Nutrition Specialist
The 1997 cropping season has left
Ontario forage supplies at an all time
low, due to a combination of alfalfa
winterkill, drought, germination
concerns and early frosts in some
areas. Variable summer growth has
reduced the quality of hay crops and
corn silage. Heavy corn silage
feeding will be the norm on many
dairy farms this winter. The
challenge to dairy producers is to
implement strategies to cope with
these concerns. Nutrient content will
be more variable in 1997 forage
crops. Test all forages in inventory
for dry matter, protein, heat damage,
soluble protein, ADF, NDF and NSC
as a minimum. (Wet chemistry
analysis is recommended.) Growing
conditions this year may have altered
ear and stalk development. Lignin
and starch analysis may be needed to
determine the feeding value of 1997
corn silage.
Light bushel weight corn should
be downgraded two to five per cent in
energy value. Soybeans may be
lower in protein and fat this year and
should be accurately sampled and
tested. Take a complete and detailed
inventory of stored forages and make
a plan for feeding for the winter.
Keep highest quality forages for fresh
and high -producing cows. Make feed
changes gradually. Analyze your
operations for ways to reduce feed
wastage.
Heavy corn silage feeding
strategies:
Check particle size of corn silage
to ensure adequate effective fiber and
good rumen health. When corn
silage is the major forage, use a target
of five to 10 per cent of particles
greater than .75 inches. For rolled or
processed corn silage, 10 to 15 per
cent of particles should exceed .75
inches.
When corn silage replaces
haylage, more protein must be fed to
balance the ration. Work with your
nutritionist to choose economical
protein feeds which fit your ration.
Consider feeding byproducts.
Complementary feed which help
balance fiber are corn gluten feed,
brewers grains (wet or dry), wheat
mids, soyhulls and whole cottonseed.
Corn silage rations balance well
with degradable protein sources such
as soybean meal or canola meal,
especially for medium and low
production levels. If corn silage is
fed with corn grain, use non -corn
based protein supplements to prevent
limiting amino acids such as lysine
and methionine. If corn silage is
ammoniated, allow a two to three-
week adaptation period and introduce
it gradually. Check sulfur levels
when feeding ammoniated silage.
JANUARY 1998 43