English-Spanish Pocket Dictionary to help On-Farm Communication

BALZAC, Alberta (August 2, 2006) – Alta Genetics is pleased to launch an exclusive new edition of a Spanish-English pocket dictionary that focuses on important dairy farm terms.

The easy-to-use, pocket-size publication is organized into subject areas and presents common terms used in different areas of dairy management. Key terms in areas like cow health, reproduction, and milking procedures are covered.

The exclusive Alta product highlights the company’s continuing commitment to building effective communication on dairies, and to bridging what has been referred to as a culture gap between dairy managers and their employees.

“Today’s progressive dairies depend on accurate and open communication between employees and managers,” says Charlie Perotti, Director of Alta’s reproductive management and consulting service called AltaPreg.

“We’ve found improvements in communication can produce better results in both the milking parlor and in reproduction, so we wanted to offer an everyday solution to our clients,” says Perotti.

The presence of Hispanic dairy workers has spread across the United States, and many dairies depend on the valued contributions they make daily. However, a 2005 study by Cornell University researchers indicated that when it comes to speaking English, a startling 94% of Hispanic dairy workers could only speak some or none at all.

Not surprisingly, 96% of dairy managers in the same study found that the “language barrier” was one of the biggest obstacles they faced.

The Spanish–English pocket dictionary follows up on a seminar series that Alta introduced this past spring. The evening seminar invited dairy managers and owners plus Hispanic workers to explore and understand the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in the way that the English and Hispanic cultures communicate.

“We outlined important aspects of a successful working relationship, such as good listening skills, sound organizational structure and clearly defined job descriptions,” notes Perotti. “Paying attention to minimizing the language barrier is key.”

Alta Genetics is an artificial insemination and dairy cattle genetic improvement company focused on the mission to “create value…build trust…deliver results.” The company specializes in the development of genetically superior bulls through state-of-the-art young sire sampling programs, while also offering a complete line of reproductive service solutions.

Alta is the largest privately held AI company in the world, operating sampling programs in the United States, Canada, and Europe and actively marketing products in 84 countries. Company headquarters are located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with retail divisions in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland.

Posted Aug 4th

<< Back to Top