The Ever-Changing Times of DHIA

          Undoubtedly, those dairymen who have been on test the longest could tell many stories of how much DHIA has changed over the years.  From “cow testers” to “Field Technicians”; from on-farm Babcock butterfat tests to a central lab in a far-away place; from paper sheets delivered by the mail two weeks after testing to electronic reports generated on farm minutes after the samples are processed, it seems the only thing that doesn’t change in DHIA is change itself.

          When HOA was formed almost 11 years ago, we had about 177,000 cows, 1500 herds and around 125 Field Techs.  Today our numbers are around 100,000 cows, 800 herds and 50 Field Techs.  Everyone is aware of the tremendous changes in the dairy industry involving large dairies and fewer producers.  Where will it end?

          These changes bring some interesting challenges to the HOA Board and management.  We probably have a higher percentage of herds using DHIA services without a Field Technician than ever before, but the Field Tech continues to play a crucial role for the majority of our membership.  The problem of competing as an employer under these conditions can be frustrating at times. 

          Over a third of our Field Techs average testing FIVE herds or less per month.  Over half of them average testing less than TEN herds each month.  Generally speaking, so called “full time” techs do a better job simply because they repeat the tasks such as computer data entry more often.  When testing is their main source of income they tend to realize the importance of doing a good job to ensure that income is maintained.  However, “part-time” field techs sometimes play a crucial role in certain isolated areas.  Many “part-timers” do an excellent job and have a great deal of testing experience.  So, it might sound like a great idea to have fewer technicians with fuller schedules, but in the real world that’s not always feasible or desirable. 

          We expect more of our Techs than ever before.  They have to use a computer.  They have to provide dependable transportation.  They are expected to attend an annual conference without any additional compensation.  Members are already familiar with the odd times and barn conditions that they face.  Before and after they are on your farm, they have much work to do such as preparing vials and keying data and packaging and shipping samples.  Add driving time to the mix and it’s probably not uncommon to spend only about half of the time spent testing a herd actually on the farm! 

          Speaking of driving time, Techs travel farther than ever before.  An average round trip is around 90 miles.  Some techs drive over 200 miles one way to service dairies in remote areas.  Except in limited circumstances, they do not receive any compensation for this “extra” time spent traveling.  We all know what the gas prices are doing these days.  If the travel fees no longer cover their gas and other transportation costs, it simply lowers their income. 

          Years ago producers had less choice concerning testing frequency.  Everyone on “official” test was expected to test 12 times per year.  Now the average tests-per-year is below eleven.  Obviously, if you make your living testing cows, this translates into less income.  How do we help compensate for this “lost” income to our valued Field Techs?   While the value of regular monthly testing intervals is beyond the scope of this article, suffice it to say they are imperative for highly accurate and useful management information.  Still, each producer has his/her own management ideas and thus the decision is left to them. 

          On the other hand, HOA is keenly aware of the member’s perspective.  Gas prices, for example, hit farmers in multiple ways.  Nearly every vendor that provides service to agricultural producers has little choice but to increase their prices to help cover some of the extra costs associated with the high fuel prices.  None of us can tell the future, but it is possible that fuel prices will come back down at least somewhat.  To a certain extent, everyone may have to “tighten their belts” and weather the storm at least for a while. 

          Very few of us have the luxury of work opportunities in our own front yards.  That means that we have to drive to work, without compensation for that trip, of course.  If a family member decides to work off the farm, they almost always will have to drive somewhere to work and endure the cost of that trip themselves.  Some Field Techs probably have to come to grips that not every mile traveled will be reimbursed--same with meals and travel time.

          It’s not a member’s fault when they quit milking or testing, but it certainly affects the Field Tech.  Old timers will remember when it was not uncommon to have 1 or 2 full time supervisors for a single county.  Now some Techs are lucky to have a single dairy in their home county!  Quite a few Field Techs are no longer employed by HOA because there just aren’t enough herds left for them to make a living.   

          As you can tell, it’s a question of balance:  Keeping testing rates fair and reasonable on one side; adequately and fairly compensating employees on the other side.  The HOA Board and management continuously address these issues.  Any suggestions or ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated.