There are eight different types of waste within any type of business including farm businesses.

1. Over Production – producing more than is required, e.g. carrying more heifers than you require.
2. Transport – e.g., machinery the wrong size for the job or animals in multiple sites.
3. Waiting Time – staff having to wait for a machine or having to wait for another colleague, unplanned work schedules.
4. Extra Processing – over cleaning or treating stock like pets.
5. Inventory – carrying too much stock which can spoil or take up extra space/capital.
6. Defects – unclean routine or sick animals.
7. Motion – not having the right tool for the job or not being able to find the right tool.
8. Unused Talent – not asking your team how things can be improved, don’t forget you pay staff for their heads as well as their hands.

Identifying waste in your system can help reduce costs, make the business more efficient and lead to happier staff. It’s known as becoming LEAN.

If you would like to look at your business from this angle and identify areas of waste contact Phil at pcooper@fcgagric.com