Managing risk in share farming

A quick chat in the paddock can easily be forgotten, so Robin Barkla takes a more structured approach to communication. He and his wife Claire hold monthly meetings with their contract milkers on their Bay of Plenty farms.

Robin recently outlined his insights at the share-farming workshops run by Federated Farmers, supported by DairyNZ.

“Everyone’s busy. If we talk about things on the farm, it tends to be forgotten till it becomes an issue,” Robin said.

“So we have monthly meetings with agendas and record actions to keep everything clear.”

During the meetings, they discuss what’s coming up and farming practices. The contract milkers share what they’re doing, and Robin and Claire offer suggestions, taking on a governance role.

They actively encourage their team to bring forward ideas for open discussion. Robin and Claire remain open to conversation and exploring opportunities – especially when backed by a cost-benefit analysis.

Robin believes a successful share-farming relationship requires both parties to be approachable and open to discussing any issues without getting upset. It’s also about balancing workloads and other pressures.

“Even the right people can be snappy on the wrong day. Sometimes you need to recognise when it’s not the right time to discuss something and leave it for another time.”

Robin said it’s important to “pick your battles” but stick by your non-negotiables.

“There’ll always be things you’d prefer weren’t there, but keeping the big picture in mind, you’ve got to determine if it’s worth being niggly about.”

Regular housing checks are part of their farm policies, and he stresses the importance of staying on top of them.

Fundamentally, Robin believes it starts with employing the right people.

“We don’t advertise our positions. We tend to find people by putting the word around our networks, particularly with farm consultants, who may know someone looking.

“First, we talk to candidates, then meet them. If all goes well, we show them around our farm and talk to their referees.”

He believes the key is to gather as much insight as possible and always visits their current farm. He also connects with locals, such as vets or stock agents to get a feel for them.

However, despite careful planning, Robin knows things don’t always go smoothly. “You need to accept it and move on.”

By prioritising structured communication and thoughtful recruitment, Robin and Claire have built a strong, collaborative working environment. Their approach ensures that challenges are addressed early, expectations are clear, and everyone stays focused on the bigger picture.