Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

The added value of working with Standard Operating Procedures

The amount of farms with employees worldwide is growing steadily. On the one hand this is a positive evolution of the dairy farming industry, but this means farmers need to become managers. How can these farm managers be sure all employees perform their work according to the vision of the farm manager?

Writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for a specific farm has a strong added value. By starting to collate all the activities step-by-step and discuss procedures, more insight into “usual” activities will be created. Standard activities which are normally performed automatic will now be undertaken more consciously. Besides it will be much easier to instruct employees or farm visitors. When SOPs are well integrated into the farm management system it is required for employees to follow up these procedures. When employees are familiar with their tasks the hazard of making mistakes will decrease, and workers can be substituted due when, for example, in the case of sickness. The major advantage for working with SOPs on dairy farms is that routine work will provide a better overview of work and, therefore, better planning. In addition less indirect hours will be incurred, making it more effective. Moreover the SOPs can make more use of the quality of the work. A clear SOP can, therefore, provide greater satisfaction in the long term.

Source Project
4D4F Data driven dairy decisions for farmers
Ongoing | 2016-2019
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
United Kingdom
Project details

Project Keywords