I have been running my LeanFarm training with farmers in Tasmania over the last few weeks and have come across some great examples of simple lean tools applied on farm to make life easier, more efficient, safer and prevent frustrating problems. Visualisation is a simple lean tool that can make your farm more productive. One great example I have seen is at Matthew Gunnigham's farm in northern Tasmania. His team painted their two bull teams in two bright colours (red and blue) to help quickly … [Read more...]
Safe Farm – lean tools will make a safer farm
Safe Farm using Lean: A Lean Farm is also a Safe Farm. Lean tools such a Visualisation and 5S can significantly help to improve safety on your farm. Our team has been working on improving our safety processes. We had a session about all hazards on farm and it really reinforced how dangerous our farms actually are. But with good safety awareness, visualisation and standard processes, we can make our farms a safer place to work and live. Our team are working on standard hazard and safety … [Read more...]
Lean Dairy Farm – Designing a Lean Dairy Shed/ Milking Parlour
A lean dairy farm also needs a lean dairy shed or milking parlour. Is your dairy shed or facilities a lean dairy shed? Are you thinking about building a new dairy shed and want to incorporate lean thinking into your shed design? I have been talking to a farmer in NZ that is in this process. I didn't incorporate a detailed section on this topic in my book (and if there is another edition I will do) but I had a quick think about some of the frustrations I have seen in our own shed and things to … [Read more...]
Visualisation key to a lean farm
One of the key improvements we are making on our farm is the introduction of a lean tool called visualisation. This is about making things easy to understand using visual signs, symbols, colours, labels and so on. Visualisation is all around us in our everyday life. It helps us to grasp a situation quickly and make the right decision or action based on the visual information. Good visualisation helps someone to immediately understand what is required with out the need to have to go looking for a … [Read more...]
The Lean Dairy Farm available in bookstores now
It was very exciting to see my new book in bookstores yesterday!!. The book is now available in all Paperplus and Whitcoulls stores in New Zealand and all Dymocks stores in Australia. Also available online through all major booksellers. Visit your local bookstore to grab a copy. Visit www.theleandairyfarm.com for more info. … [Read more...]