#25 I Made Up a 'Mental Ingredient List' for Farmers - Management Psychology Part 1
On this account, I share various information for small to medium-sized Wagyu breeding farmers under the theme of 'Livestock x Finance'.
This time, please allow me to start with a personal episode of my own.
🟡 My Unrequited Love: 'Curing Disease is Justice'
As a veterinarian, I have visited many livestock farmers.
Because these cows will eventually become human 'food,' I want them to grow up healthy while they are still 'living creatures'.
However, since they are economic animals, treatment costs must not exceed profits.
That is why I have always believed that disease prevention and early treatment come first, and I have given such advice to farmers.
But honestly, there are not many farmers who actually put this advice into practice.
I would wonder, 'Why doesn't it get through? Am I the only one who loves cows?' While thinking this, I convinced myself that since the common goal is 'wanting to improve one's own farm,' each farmer must have their own 'philosophy of cattle farming'.
🟡 The Cause of the Misunderstanding Was the Difference in 'The Scenery We See'
Despite that, when I became independent as a sole proprietor, I obtained my Financial Planner (FP) certification.
The goal was purely for my own study.
It started because I realized that I had been stuffing myself with niche knowledge that 'split hairs,' and before I knew it, I had become socially naive (laughs).
But thanks to that, my perspective broadened, and I gained a 'viewpoint on money and management'.
And I realized something.
'Cows = Money'❗️
You might think that is obvious, but it was a huge discovery for me.
I realized that I had always been looking at cows from the perspective of 'medicine and welfare'.
On the other hand, farmers, who are business owners, look at cows from the perspective of 'investment and return,' so it is natural in a sense that they do not choose preventive management or capital investment that does not pay off.
In the end, as a veterinarian, my thinking was based on the idea that 'not being able to cure a disease = defeat,' so I might have been acting selfishly by thinking, 'Why don't you treat the cows with more care?'
🟡 'Mental Habits' Vary from Person to Person
However, if 'cows = money,' does that mean all farmers are cold-hearted business people? I don't feel that at all.
Everyone is truly unique and full of humanity.
Then, why do they hesitate in how they spend money or make management decisions in various situations, even though they know 'cows = money (economic animals)'?
I looked into 'behavioral economics' and other fields regarding 'management psychology,' and there I encountered the term'Bounded Rationality'.
Roughly speaking, it refers to human-like mental movements where'Even if your head knows that this way is more profitable, you make a different choice based on emotions or preferences.'
If you want to save money in livestock management, perhaps you should coldly calculate 'investment and return.' But you are strongly pulled by the 'mental habits' of each business owner, such as their 'desires,' 'fears,' 'the eyes of the community,' and 'long-held pride'.
'Mental Habits'.That is why livestock management varies from person to person, and that might be the interesting, human part of it.
🟡 Which One Is Your Farm? '8 Mental Ingredients' That Drive Management
Thinking about it again, I believe there are many types of 'mental habits' for farmers. It is quite difficult to put them into words specifically, but I analyzed the psychology of livestock farmers by applying it tomanagement psychology.
This is not a diagnosis of what is good or bad. All of these are psychological patterns born from the pure desire to 'improve and protect one's own farm'.
Below is my own classification of the'8 Mental Ingredients'that I think livestock farmers might unconsciously possess.
① 'Stability-Oriented' Ingredient with Excellent Defensive Power
A genius at risk management who hates losing more than anyone else
② 'New-Thing-Active' Ingredient with a Strong Frontier Spirit
A bit weak to sales pitches for the latest feed or supplements
③ 'Bold Investment' Ingredient that Opens Up the Future
Has the power to change stages by buying machinery and equipment in one go
④ 'DIY Savings' Ingredient, the Magician of the Field
A master at making everything themselves to keep costs down. However, their own hourly wage tends to be zero
⑤ 'Craftsmanship' Ingredient, the Master of Dialogue with Cows
A reliable veteran who trusts their intuition more than data
⑥ 'Data-Believer' Ingredient, the Scientist
Loves looking at sensors and numbers. Sometimes gets lost due to information overload
⑦ 'Others' Eyes' Ingredient, the Community Lover
A proud person who values reputation in the market and regional averages more than anyone else
⑧ 'Procrastination' Ingredient, Living Life to the Fullest in the Present
While saying 'I can quit anytime,' they end up continuing because they love cows
Were there any ingredients that you thought, 'Maybe this is me?' or 'Maybe that person is this?'
I think most people are a blend of several ingredients, like 50% ①, 30% ④, and so on.
🟡 If You Know Your 'Mental Habits,' Cattle Farming Might Become More Fun?
What I realized after learning about these 'mental habits' is that 'there is no need to blame myself'.
By utilizing your own mental ingredients (strengths) and objectively noticing, 'Oh, I'm about to waste money because of my mental habits,' you should be able to increase your options for making more profit.
Also, since this is a job involving living creatures, I think there are many situations that don't go well. Even if you make a choice you slightly regret, I hope you use it as ahint to not deny yourself, thinking, 'That ingredient was strong in me at that time, so it couldn't be helped. Let's do this next time!'
The theme for next time is 'Investment and Cost'.
I will dig deeper while comparing the 'Stability-Oriented type who checks the stone bridge but doesn't cross it' and the 'DIY Savings type who makes everything themselves'.