The Southland Times

Helping farmers with relief staff

Relief staff can be a lifeline for farm operations, stepping in during times of illness, annual leave, temporary staffing shortfalls or allowing farmers to enjoy the occasional well-earned break.

The Gofer, establishe­d three years ago by Kelvin (Rocky) Cormack and Janelle Davison, provides a wide range of services, including but not limited to: • Relief Milking,

• Tail Trimming,

• Tractor driving,

• Small digger work; and

• Farm minding.

Rocky and Janelle are proud of the team they have created along their journey and are grateful to all their loyal clients who have experience­d the many benefits utilising their services has to offer.

Hiring relief staff extends far beyond merely filling a gap. Consider the scenario when one of your full-time farm staff falls ill unexpected­ly.

Without an adequate substitute, the workload of the farm could become unmanageab­le for the remaining staff, leading to stress, potential mistakes, and a decline in productivi­ty.

However, relief staff can alleviate these complicati­ons. Trained to step in at a moment's notice, they can ensure that the daily farm operations run

smoothly, safeguardi­ng the wellbeing of both the farm and its full-time employees. Similarly, during periods of annual leave, relief staff can step in to keep the farm operationa­l while regular staff members enjoy a well-deserved break. This not only maintains productivi­ty but also enhances staff morale. Everyone needs time to rest and rejuvenate, and knowing that their responsibi­lities are in capable hands can make that time off more relaxing.

Hiring relief staff isn't just beneficial in emergencie­s or during planned leave; they also offer a flexible solution for short periods of increased workload. For instance, during harvest time, when the work is intensive and the hours are long, relief staff can provide the additional manpower needed to meet these demands.

They can quickly adapt to the working patterns of the farm, ensuring the harvest is completed efficientl­y while maintainin­g the quality of work.

The Gofer has a growing team of experience­d, reliable and honest staff that all have a can-do attitude and a strong work ethic, say Rocky and Janelle.

“After doing the first year ourselves and due to the increase in demand we started hiring staff.

This led to gaining an experience­d and reliable team that we take pride in.

“With the addition of our 2.5 ton digger and wheelie bin cleaning business this has extended our services to be able to work with a wider range of the community.

“We are extremely excited and driven to keep growing a successful business to provide farmers with support for the everyday running of their farming businesses.”

Catch up with Kelvin and Janelle at stand 377 at the Field Days, enter their Beresford Heights x The Gofer giveaway, check out the milking demonstrat­ions for kids, and chat to some of the friendly team.