Have you ever found yourself trying to guide a new farmhand, only to feel like you’re speaking another language? Or perhaps you’ve brought on an experienced worker and found that their way of doing things clashes with your farm’s methods. If this sounds familiar, it’s because there’s a crucial distinction between training and coaching—and knowing when to use each can make or break the workflow of your farm.

This realisation hit me one morning while reflecting on how we learn to drive. When someone is learning to drive for the first time, they need training—clear, step-by-step instructions on how to start the car, use the indicators, check mirrors, and apply the brakes. At this stage, they don’t have the habits yet, so structured guidance is crucial.

But once they’ve mastered the basics and are comfortable on the road, coaching becomes more effective. Instead of telling them every move to make, a good coach asks, “What’s the safest way to approach this roundabout?” or “How can you anticipate that driver’s next move?” The goal is to develop their ability to think ahead, assess risks, and make decisions independently.

Farming is no different. Some tasks require training, while others require coaching. Knowing when to apply each approach can transform how your team works on the farm.

The Difference Between Training and Coaching

1. Training: Teaching New Skills and Habits

Training is about providing a clear, structured process for someone who lacks the necessary skills or habits. It involves breaking things down into step-by-step instructions so that the new team member can replicate the actions until they become second nature.

When to Use Training on Your Farm:

  • When onboarding new farmhands who don’t yet understand your farm’s systems and processes.
  • When you need to establish habits—such as attending Monday morning meetings on time or following safety procedures.
  • When introducing task management systems—instead of workers asking you for their next job, they should be trained to check a dashboard or system.
  • When setting up farm policies, such as ensuring no one smokes in the workshed or consistently using PPE.

Examples of Effective Training:

  1. Farm Meetings: New workers should be trained to attend weekly team meetings 10 minutes early, contributing prepared insights.
  2. Task Management Systems: Instead of constantly asking what needs to be done, farmhands should be trained to follow digital dashboards for job priorities.
  3. Equipment Use: Workers need clear training on how to operate tractors, irrigation systems, or livestock feeding routines safely and efficiently.

Training ensures that every new hire starts on the right foot, learning the correct procedures from day one.

2. Coaching: Refining and Enhancing Skills

Coaching is about guiding individuals to review or refine their approach, improve decision-making, and challenge old habits. It works best when the person already has a way of doing things but may need feedback, reasoning, and structured improvement.

When to Use Coaching on Your Farm:

  • When a worker already has experience but needs to adapt to your farm’s way of doing things.
  • When team members need help with problem-solving or optimising existing workflows.
  • When experienced workers bring in new methods—coaching helps compare approaches and decide the best one.
  • When farm culture needs improvement—coaching helps workers buy into the farm’s values and understand why certain systems exist.

Examples of Effective Coaching:

  1. Experienced Farmhands Adapting to Your Farm Culture: If a new worker has been managing livestock for years at other places but has never used a farm calendar system, coaching helps them transition smoothly.
  2. Adjusting Farm Methods: Suppose a new farmhand brings a different way of shearing sheep. Instead of forcing them to adopt your way, coaching allows you to evaluate both methods and decide on the best approach.
  3. Decision-Making and Leadership Growth: Instead of telling a worker what to do when faced with a problem, a good coach asks questions: “What are a few ways to handle this? What are the possible outcomes? What’s the best way moving forward? ”

Coaching helps workers think for themselves rather than relying on constant instructions.

Are You Training When You Should Be Coaching? The Costly Mistake Farm Owners Make!

Difference Between Training and Coaching: A Farm Example

Imagine you’ve hired two new workers:

  • Worker A has never worked on a farm before.
  • Worker B has 10 years of experience but on a different type of farm.

Worker A benefits from training. They need to learn from scratch—how to attend farm meetings, check the task management system, follow safety rules, and operate equipment correctly.

Worker B, on the other hand, may benefit from coaching. They already know how to feed livestock, but their method may differ from yours. Rather than dictating a single approach, coaching helps compare methods, refine processes, and make informed decisions that align with your farm’s goals.

Disclaimer: The key is understanding that training and coaching are not exclusive to experience levels. A fresh perspective from a new worker can challenge outdated habits, introduce cross-industry insights, and add unexpected value. Likewise, experienced workers may still need training on farm-specific systems. The right approach depends on the long-term relationship you’re building with your team and how effectively you put systems in place. When systems support both learning styles, your farm can run smoothly without constant reliance on you.

Key Takeaways for Farm Owners and Managers

  1. Use training to establish habits and introduce new systems.
  2. Use coaching to refine processes and empower experienced workers.
  3. Training requires step-by-step instruction; coaching involves questioning and guidance.
  4. Training is about following a recipe; coaching is about helping workers create their own solutions.

One Farm Tip: Set the expectation that change is constant on your farm. New systems, better workflows, and smarter habits will always be introduced, and both training and coaching are essential in ensuring everyone adapts successfully.

A Farm That Runs Without You

A well-run farm is one where every worker knows what to do, when to do it, and why it matters—even when you’re not around.

By balancing training for new skills and coaching for experienced hands, you create a farm where tasks are completed efficiently, workers grow into leaders, and operations run without you having to micromanage everything.

It all starts with understanding the difference between teaching and guiding—and applying the right approach at the right time.

Want to learn more about creating a self-sustaining farm operation? Book a FREE Discovery Call with one of our professionals today and take the first step toward reclaiming your time on the farm.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your network to help others unlock their farming potential. Don’t forget to like and follow us on social media for more insightful tips: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s empower more farmers together!

Revolutionise Your Farm - Practical Tips to Invite Innovation & Break Old Habits - Enable Ag, Agriculture Consultant

In today’s fast-paced agricultural landscape, where the demands on farmers are ever-increasing, it’s essential to explore innovative thinking and challenge traditional practices that may be holding you back. By embracing innovation, you not only boost productivity and efficiency but also pave the way for long-term success and the freedom to enjoy a balanced lifestyle. In this blog post, we will delve into the power of embracing innovation, providing practical strategies to revolutionise your farm and create the time-freedom you desire.

Embracing Innovation

Your farming success begins with embracing innovation. By adopting a mindset that welcomes new ideas and approaches, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. Embrace a growth mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone to explore innovative solutions.

By cultivating a sense of curiosity and openness, you challenge your assumptions and explore new ideas. Attend workshops, industry conferences, and engage with experts and agriculture consultants who can provide valuable insights and guidance. Embrace technology advancements in precision agriculture, IoT devices, and data analytics, aligning them with your farm’s needs to streamline operations and enhance productivity.

Challenge Traditional Practices

As the pioneering computer scientist Grace Murray Hopper once said, “The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.'” Breaking free from old habits and trying new practices is crucial for farm revolution. Experiment with alternative approaches such as regenerative agriculture, organic farming, or diversified cropping systems. Start with small-scale pilot projects, closely monitor outcomes, and be willing to adapt and iterate based on the results.

By challenging traditional practices and being open to change, you unlock new possibilities for your farm’s success. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation, always seeking better ways to maximise your resources, optimise crop yield, and improve overall efficiency.

How Embracing Innovation and Challenging Traditional Practices Can Revolutionise Your Farm. Enable Ag provides practical coaching to farmers in Australia.

Pictured: John Bruce, Angela Bruce, and Iain Bruce of Western Plains Beef, along with Ram Savana from Enable Ag. The Bruces decided to work with a Farmers Coach to enhance their family farm’s operations and achieve a more balanced lifestyle

Creating a Culture of Collaboration

Revolutionising your farm requires a collective effort and a supportive community. Foster a culture of collaboration among your team members, valuing their diverse skills and experiences. Encourage open communication where everyone feels empowered to contribute ideas and insights. By incorporating different perspectives, you tap into the collective intelligence of your team, leading to more innovative solutions and approaches.

Beyond your farm, engage with the broader farming community through knowledge-sharing platforms, industry conferences, and local farming networks. Connect with like-minded farmers, exchange ideas, and learn from each other’s experiences. These connections broaden your perspective and keep you updated on the latest industry trends and emerging innovations.

Prioritise Sustainability

To revolutionise your farm, it’s vital to prioritise sustainability. Implement practices that reduce environmental impact and focus on resource efficiency and conservation. Explore water-saving techniques, such as drip irrigation or precision watering systems, to minimise water usage while maximising crop productivity. Manage soil health through cover cropping, crop rotation, and composting, promoting fertility and biodiversity. Consider incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines to reduce your carbon footprint and achieve long-term cost savings.

Embrace Continuous Learning

To stay at the forefront of innovation, commit to continuous learning. Attend workshops, webinars, and seminars that focus on modern farming practices and emerging trends. Seek mentorship programs or consult with agricultural experts who can provide guidance tailored to your farm’s unique needs.

By immersing yourself in a community of passionate individuals committed to innovation, you broaden your perspective and discover new approaches to revolutionise your farm. Never stop learning, stay curious, and embrace opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Embracing innovation and challenging traditional practices is the key to revolutionising your farm and creating the time-freedom and balanced lifestyle you desire, and position your farm for long-term success and sustainability.

At Enable Ag, we are dedicated to supporting farmers on their journey to farm revolution. Our team of experienced farming consultants can provide personalised guidance and help you implement innovative strategies to unlock your farm’s full potential. Embrace the power of innovation, break free from old habits that slows you down, and embark on a path towards a more prosperous and fulfilling farming future.

Book a free discovery call with Enable Ag today, and together, let’s revolutionise your farm for a better tomorrow. Embrace innovation, embrace change, and embrace the limitless possibilities that await you in your farming journey.

In the fast-paced world of farming, success often hinges on making the right decisions, managing time effectively, and fostering a cohesive team. Farmers face unique challenges, and that’s where a Farmer Coach can make a world of difference. By providing guidance, expertise, and personalised support, a Farmer Coach can help you revolutionise the ways in which you operate your farm, increase efficiency, and nurture a balanced lifestyle.

Real-Life Transformations: Success Stories of Farmers

By sharing some inspiring stories of farmers we have helped, we aim to demonstrate the tangible results that agricultural coaching can bring and inspire other farmers to consider the valuable role of a coach in their own farming journey.

Corey and Janelle Spencer – Overcoming Time Management Challenges

For Corey and Janelle Spencer, owners of C&J Spencer Agriculture in Bracknell, managing time effectively and ensuring timely invoicing proved to be major obstacles. They often faced delayed payments from clients, leading to stress and frustration. Seeking help from Enable Ag, they discovered that their existing processes were hindering their success. Through a customised system and tailored guidance, Enable Ag enabled them to streamline their invoicing process, reducing the time it took by a third. The changes not only increased efficiency but also improved their overall productivity and profitability.

Pictured: Corey and Janelle Spencer (Owners, C&J Spencer Agriculture) with their family at their farm in Bracknell

Pictured: Corey and Janelle Spencer, owners of C&J Spencer Agriculture with their family at their farm in Bracknell, Tasmania.

Hugh Bradley, Rob Bradley, and Jo Bradley – Mastering Decision-Making and Planning

At Woollen Park, the Bradley family faced significant challenges in decision-making and planning as their farming business grew. They struggled to keep up with scattered information across multiple platforms, which put immense pressure on them. With Enable Ag’s expertise, the Bradleys gained insights into effective decision-making, time management, and organisational skills. By adopting new systems and integrating tailored tech solutions, they witnessed substantial improvements in their business. This transformation not only helped them manage their farm more efficiently but also paved the way for a more successful and sustainable future.

Hugh Bradley, Rob Bradley (the current Nuffield Australia Chairman), Jo Bradley and Ram Savana from Enable Ag - Farmers Coach Australia

Pictured: Hugh Bradley, Rob Bradley (the current Nuffield Australia Chairman), Jo Bradley and Ram, taken on their farm at Woollen Park.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Agricultural Coaching

Each of these stories underlines the importance of having a Farmer Coach to help navigate the complexities of managing time in farmers’ lives. As seen in the experiences of Corey and Janelle Spencer and the Bradley family, with the right guidance, systems, and tools, it’s possible to tackle time management issues, improve decision-making and planning, enhance team communication, and ultimately, run a more efficient and profitable farm.

We at Enable Ag are committed to delivering this level of transformative support to our clients. We believe in the potential of each farmer and farm to reach new heights of success with the right approach and mindset.

Is your farm ready for a similar transformation? Explore the incredible possibilities that agricultural coaching can bring to your farm. For a more detailed look at these success stories and others, we invite you to visit our Success Stories page. Witness firsthand the profound impact Enable Ag can have on your farming journey.

Let’s take the first step towards your farm’s success today.

Are you tired of drowning in paperwork, longing for a more efficient way to handle your farm administration? We have great news for you—there is a better way! In this article, we’ll guide you through valuable insights and practical tips to streamline your farm administration processes, freeing up valuable time for what you truly love.

Embrace the Digital Revolution in Farm Administration

Transitioning from paper-based processes to digital ones may feel overwhelming, but it’s a game-changer for farm administration. Digital tools empower you to store, retrieve, and analyze data efficiently, slashing paperwork time while minimising the risk of errors or data loss.

Enable Ag Tip: Consider adopting cloud-based farm management software that allows you to record, track, and manage everything from livestock health to crop yields in real-time. With this solution, you can bid farewell to physical paperwork, accessing and analyzing centralised data effortlessly. Embracing cloud-based systems also enables you to run farm administration processes remotely, reducing your dependency on being physically present.

Harness the Power of Automation to Streamline Farm Administration

Automation is your most reliable ally in the battle against paperwork. By automating repetitive tasks like invoicing, payroll, and reporting, you can save significant time while minimising the chances of human error.

Enable Ag Tip: Utilise accounting software that integrates seamlessly with your farm management system. This integration enables you to automatically generate invoices based on your management system’s data, streamlining the invoicing process and drastically reducing the time spent on invoicing and reconciliation.

Streamline Farm Administration: Ways to Conquer Paperwork and Reclaim Your Time

Embracing digital solutions can help streamline your farm operations and minimise time spent on data entry and analysis.

Standardise Your Farm Administration Processes for Streamlined Efficiency

Standardisation is key to slashing paperwork hours. By establishing defined processes for each task, you minimise the risk of errors and expedite the processes’s efficiency.

Enable Ag Tip: Create a standard operating procedure (SOP) along with a simple demo video for each administrative task. These SOPs should detail every step, assign responsibilities, and include timelines for completion. This not only streamlines your processes but also facilitates training for new staff members.

Regularly Review and Enhance Your Farm Administration Processes

Just as farming practices evolve, so should your farm administration processes. Regularly reviewing your processes allows you to identify areas of inefficiency and potential improvements. By continuously optimising your processes, you save time and reduce paperwork.

Enable Ag Tip: Schedule quarterly reviews of your farm administration processes. During these reviews, analyze the effectiveness of each process and identify areas where you can reduce paperwork or streamline operations. Having clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) helps you measure your success and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Delegate and Share the Workload for Efficient Farm Administration

Remember, you don’t have to tackle everything alone. Delegating administrative tasks to trusted team members not only frees up your time but also fosters a more balanced distribution of workload.

Enable Ag Tip: Delegate data entry tasks to detail-oriented team members who are comfortable with technology. By doing so, you reduce your workload and provide an opportunity for your team members to develop new skills.

Let Enable Ag Help Streamline Your Farm Administration for Improved Efficiency and Productivity

By embracing digital solutions, standardising processes, and delegating tasks, you can streamline your farm administration processes and conquer the paperwork mountain. These strategies save you valuable time while enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of your administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

At Enable Ag, we’re committed to helping you reclaim your time. Let’s have a chat to see if our program is right for you.

Schedule your free 15-minute Discovery Call today!