Develop a Production Plan

Implementation and Management of the Production Plan

The purpose of the Management Plan is to provide direction by identifying and describing the policies and procedures utilised during the production process on the farm. In addition to identifying the risks associated with each process in the production cycle, the management plan must aim to abolish, mitigate, or minimise those risks. Implementing an integrated strategy for production process management is a highly effective method for mitigating potential hazards. Appropriate strategies must be formulated to mitigate the hazards.

Factors to be considered in the management plan:

  • Site management
  • Crop type and variety
  • Soil management
  • Crop protection
  • Irrigation
  • Fertiliser use
  • Environment
  • Human resources

The management plan should describe how each factor will be managed. For example:

  • Site management
    • The identification of the site – allocation of a unique reference number or code.
    • The location of the site – physical location marked on a map.
    • The size of the site.
    • The physical characteristics of the site – aspect, gradient and special features.
    • Risks associated with the site (for example, soil erosion due to gradient and/or soil type) and risks associated with the history of the site (for example, glass contamination from bottles or effluent from industrial activity for example).

 

  • Crop type and variety
    • Criteria are utilised in the selection of the crop variety and type; in some instances, the consumer will select the variety. Nevertheless, there are situations where varieties are selected for agronomic purposes, including resistance to parasites and regional adaptability.
    • Varietal attributes are critical because they dictate production cycle management techniques. For instance, different kinds of the same crop may necessitate an alternative fertiliser regimen.
    • The origin of the seed is a crucial factor to oversee in a commercial capacity.
    • Seed quality as stated previously.
    • There are potential hazards linked to the variety, such as vulnerability to specific parasites or specific qualities of the variety that could compromise or alter its quality under particular growing conditions.

 

  • Soil administration
    • The type of soil influences the crop or variety, microbial composition, and vulnerability to pest and disease accumulation.
    • The soil treatment and management regime are determined by the composition and nutrient content.
    • Structure is a determining factor in cultivation techniques.
    • Cultivation techniques are applied to preserve the structure of the soil.
    • Hazards linked to soil management, such as the presence of a fragile structure, inadequate drainage due to elevated clay content, and the potential for fertiliser leaching and groundwater contamination due to low particulate density.

 

  • Crop protection
    • Implementation of integrated pest management (prevention, intervention, and observation). Implementing the three IPM pillars involves the determination of an IPM strategy, including the determination of lure point type and location, reconnaissance and recording methods, threshold setting, intervention method, and chemical to be utilised.
    • A list of registered compounds, which is both a legal and customer requirement and is utilised in the formulation of crop protection strategies.
    • Employ a qualified and competent advisor. Choose the appropriate advisor and verify that he or she possesses the necessary credentials and can offer sound counsel.
    • The selection of crop protection products is conducted in collaboration with the advisor and IPM strategy.
    • Pesticide application personnel – who is going to apply the pesticide? Have they been trained? Are they competent to carry out the task assigned?
      • Application methods – equipment used.
      • Storage of chemicals.
      • Chemical use.
      • Risks associated with crop protection (for example residue build-up in soil), increased pest resistance, and so forth.

 

  • Irrigation
    • Location and type of sustainable water source.
    • Abstraction permit (where applicable).
    • Abstraction method.
    • Quality of irrigation water.
    • Risks associated with irrigation (for example, contamination of water and sustainability of water supply).

 

  • Fertiliser use
    • Determining requirements for the application of fertiliser.
    • Advice on quantity and type of fertiliser to be used.
    • Method of application.
    • Storage of fertiliser.
    • Risks associated with fertiliser (such as leaching) and harm to humans (organic manure).

  • Environment
    • Using production methods that enhance or protect the environment.
    • Awareness of the effect that agricultural production has on the environment and implementation of steps to minimise the impact.
    • Identify fauna and flora, natural features, historical or archaeological features, and so forth.
    • Risks to the environment (for example destruction of fauna and flora or damage to existing habitats).

  • Human resources
    • Health and safety of workers.
    • Working conditions.
    • Welfare
    • Social responsibility.
    • Risks to human resources (for example, poor working conditions leading to injury, poor living quarters leading to poor health, and so forth).

Figure 6Example of a fertiliser application record

 

Figure 6 1Example of an organic manure application record

 

Figure 6 2Example of a pesticide application record 

 

Figure 6 3Example of an irrigation plan 

Figure 6 4Example of an irrigation calculation chart

 

Figure 6 5Example of an irrigation water analysis result record

 

Farm Management: Implement Your Plans Properly

Planned task implementation contributes to the achievement of business objectives. Therefore, it would be imprudent to meticulously plan strategies but fail to execute the plan. Human resources (that is, the organisation’s personnel) are specifically responsible for implementation. Therefore, they should be motivated to perform the task effectively. A manager must be dedicated to his other management responsibilities – namely leadership, communication, motivation, delegation, coordination, decision-making, and discipline – for implementation to be genuinely fruitful.

 

Implementable ramifications:

For the process of implementation to be driven successfully, management must provide solid internal leadership, and improved methods of plan execution must be pursued continuously. Managers must assume a proactive role in the implementation process by motivating their employees rather than performing every task themselves.

Employee activation requires motivation, and motivation is a responsibility of management. Management is required to provide essential guidance throughout the implementation process, as it facilitates the activation of individuals. Effective plan implementation requires that which is characterised by unambiguous and transparent communication. Instructions must be precise and unambiguous. All participants in a particular implementation process must be aware of the following: who is responsible for what, when, and to what standard, and they must also be aware of the destination.

The significance of delegation is paramount throughout the implementation process. The manager can’t accomplish everything by himself. The degree of delegation will be predominantly dictated by the scale of the organisation and/or the nature of the undertaking. It will also be contingent on whether management desires a more active role in the implementation process or prefers to remain in a supportive capacity as advisory managers.

It is critical to ensure that appropriate coordination exists between sections. For successful implementation, every mechanism in the business must operate effortlessly. If coordination is hindered, time and, consequently, money will be wasted.

Remember: income – expenditure = profit or loss

For instance, if the necessary medication remedies for your heifers are unavailable on the scheduled Monday morning, the execution of the task will undoubtedly be postponed.

Practically speaking, management is frequently obligated to make hasty decisions to ensure the seamless operation of the implementation. If a tractor experiences a damaged tyre during the harvesting process, what strategies will be implemented to resolve the issue?

Ensuring consistent employee discipline is critical for the effective execution of policies and procedures. Does work fall short of the acceptable standard? Negligence can severely compromise the execution of measures if it is not appropriately addressed.

 

Methods for setting priorities:

In practical application, it is inevitable to have multiple obligations to attend to. Bear in mind the possibility of unanticipated events transpiring, such as a veld fire or your trophy bull becoming entangled in dirt within a vlei.

It has been observed through experience that attention cannot be given to every action or task simultaneously. It is necessary to determine which actions or responsibilities require immediate consideration. Tasks that influence revenue and/or expenses, as well as those that affect personnel, ought to be considered critical.

The following are classifications of tasks:

  • Critical importance or exigency
  • Extremely significant with low urgency
  • Low priority despite high urgency
  • Low priority and low urgency

Tasks that have an immediate impact on one’s income are considered urgent and of the utmost importance. If completed promptly, these tasks are likely to contribute to an increase in income. However, failure to address them immediately could potentially compromise one’s income. Additionally, there may be work that affects expenditures. Failure to complete it promptly will result in increased costs, and there is a scarcity of time to address the particular task.

Urgency is associated with the amount of time available to complete a particular task: it must be completed today, or it can be deferred until a later time. In the event of a mechanical malfunction occurring during crop harvesting, the machinery repair will be regarded as an urgent and critical task. Therefore, it is a top priority. An equivalent circumstance would arise if any of your heifers encountered challenges during the calving process, particularly if that cow is a stud.

Conversely, office filing would be regarded as a non-essential task with minimal urgency or priority, given that it could be completed at any moment.

To ensure the successful attainment of all business objectives, it is critical to diligently execute all plans according to the necessary standards.

 

Financial Provision

As a resource mechanism, a work programme facilitates the following managerial decisions:

  • Withdrawals of monthly salaries due to fluctuations in the number of employees throughout the year. For instance, the packaging and harvesting of citrus necessitate a significant number of temporary staff.
  • The procurement of fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides in preparation for the planting season.
  • Major developments, including the construction of a pack house, dam, or irrigation system.
  • The acquisition or substitution of machinery, tractors, or automobiles.
  • Allocation and scheduling of equipment and implements:
    • When will the animal manager require vehicle transportation for cattle to an abattoir or auction?
    • When will the general manager require wagons or vehicles for the installation of irrigation pipes?
    • When will the citrus manager require labour, transportation, and harvesting equipment (including shears, scaffolds, and bags)?
    • At what point will the sprayer, pesticides, and irrigation water be required by the citrus manager?
    • At what juncture will the crop manager require harvesters, (temporary) labour, tractors, ploughs, hoes, cultivators, planters, fertilisers, weed herbicides, seed, and harvesters?

To establish synchronisation among personnel, vehicles, tractors, implements, equipment, and activities:

  • Supervise both the activity itself and the employees who are participating in it. A situation where everything is in place, but the employees are unaware of their responsibilities can prove to be fatal. A worker must therefore be permitted to perform a particular task only after completing a comprehensive training programme (welders, mechanics, masonry layers, and so forth) that allows for the evaluation of their work quality. This permits the administration to take action against slothful or incapable employees.
  • Produce a budget for the upcoming year.

In summary, by maintaining an even flow of activities, management can exert control over whatever is occurring or will occur on the farm. By accomplishing this, the likelihood of scheduling an excessive number of activities on a single day will be eliminated, as it will be determined by the quantity and availability of personnel, tools, and equipment.

Operational Planning and Execution