Dairy Management Assessment Center Jon Zander, Agriculture Agent, Trempealeau County Jenny Vanderlin, Assistant Director, Center for Dairy Profitability University of Wisconsin-Extension

Dairy Management Assessment Center Developed in by UW-Extension’s Farm and Risk Management (FARM) Workgroup Initial Grant from University of Wisconsin Dairy Initiatives - USDA. Subsequent funding from: USDA – North Central Regional Risk Management Education Center. Modeled from Ohio State University Program Training from Ohio State University Staff

Assess the Farm Management Skills of Participants Opportunity for Interaction with Other Dairy Farm Managers Provide Feedback to Improve Management Skills Initiate Strategies for Improvement Objectives

Why Assessment Centers? To Help Select Qualified People for Management Positions To Diagnose an Individual’s Work Related Strengths and Weaknesses To Identify Areas of Need for Improvement in Managerial and Teamwork Skills

Attributes Communications Planning & Organizing Leadership Teamwork Managing Resources Empathy Teamwork Initiative Creativity

Activities Background Interview In-Basket Case Study Personnel Discussion

Activities (cont.) Group Discussions Non-Assigned Roles Assigned Roles

Participant___________________________ Rating scale: 1=Poor; 2=Fair; 3=Average; 4=Very Good; 5=Excellent AttributePre-Center Participation Post-Center Participation Communications – the extent to which one can communicate orally, listen and respond effectively, or express effectively his/her ideas in writing. Planning/Organizing – the process of establishing a course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal. Self Assessment of Attribute Skills (Pre- and Post-Center)

Individual Report

Evaluation Results Enhanced Awareness of Managerial Abilities? “MAC makes you aware of your weak and strong points.” (3X) “I realized that communication was my biggest issue to improve.” “It made me more aware that I need to listen and be empathetic to employees.”

Evaluation Results… Changed Your Managerial Behavior? “I am better at talking to and confronting employees” (2X) “I delegate tasks better.” (6X) “I hold more employee meetings to get input.” (3X) “I don’t let things get to me as quick.”

Evaluation Results… General Comments: “The Management Assessment Center could make or break a farm.” “Important to see how others see you.” “This report would carry as much weight to me as a loan officer as the farmer’s cash flow.” “MAC nailed down who I am… I see my weaknesses and where to improve.”

Where to From Here? 8 Centers Held to Date with a total of 67 Participants Management Assessment Center for… Dairy Producers (45 participants) UW College Students (12 participants) Agronomy Managers (10 participants) ???

Questions/Discussion? Jenny Vanderlin Assistant Director Center for Dairy Profitability Jon Zander Agriculture Agent Trempealeau County Dairy Management Assessment Center