Business Management
Solid business management skills are essential as the dairy cattle industry grows more competitive, complex, and challenging. Dairy producers will find information and tools to utilize in their daily routines, as well as opportunities to connect with other professionals and dairy experts. Find resources for running a dairy operation – from market trends and insights to resources management, dairy herd metrics, record-keeping, and cash-flow planning.
Dairy Farm Management
While raising cattle and managing dairy production, dairy farm owners and managers need to also stay informed and adapt to changing variables such as cattle feed prices, dairy market trends, and regulations.
In this section, you can access many other Penn State Extension resources on dairy farm management, such as our milk production record book to monitor herd productivity, and feeding records for monitoring feed intakes and forage dry matters.
Information is also available for entrepreneurial dairy producers interested in value-added dairy products, such as cheese, butter, and yogurt. From resource planning and management to production, marketing, they can access a variety of all Penn State Extension insights on value-added dairy production.
Tools and Apps for Dairy Producers
Useful tools for dairy producers are also featured in this section, such as the Penn State Dairy Herd Metrics mobile application and the Milk Production and Feeding Records app.
Calculation tools allow producers to get a clearer picture of their dairy expenses and income and how they relate to other farm expenses. Such useful tools are the Farm Margin mobile application for calculating a dairy's break-even cost of production, the DairyCents Mobile App for income over feed costs, and the CropCents Mobile App for actual costs to produce home-raised feeds.
Dairy producers can also find records management systems for determining the actual costs of raising replacement heifers, colostrum management, metrics for monitoring culling strategies, protein and phosphorus monitoring, and many more.
Risk Management for Dairy Producers
Risk management for dairy producers accounts for volatility in milk markets, farm costs, and other factors, so that an unforeseen setback does not cost you your business.
Make the best of Penn State Extension resources on managing risk for dairy operations. Topics include managing income over feed costs, tracking milk prices and feed costs, using milk futures to lock in profitability, risk management for reproduction programs, dairy margin coverage, as well as many others. In addition to these, you could see how to use the USDA Risk Management Checklist to develop or assess your risk management plan.
Dairy Farm Finances and Market Trends
A profitable dairy farm is sustained by adept business and financial management. Dairy producers are constantly monitoring production costs and staying informed of market trends and impending regulations.
Here you can find numerous resources to keep up with market information and help your business stay profitable. Penn State Extension is regularly publishing Dairy Outlook information with current market trends. The Dairy Sense series is also a useful resource for various business management topics.
In addition, producers can find advice and tools for dairy finances, such as these five steps to monitor the financial health of a dairy business. Tips on cash flow management are also available, and you can download our annual cash flow tool to identify cash inflows/outflows for the dairy enterprise.
- Articles
Dairy Sense: Pricing Feed from Field – Moving Past Thumb Rules
Precision pricing forages and grain directly out of the field can be a benefit to both seller and buyer. - Articles
Where's the Beef? Navigating Raising Beef on Dairy Crosses and the Markets
Beef on dairy crosses have been popular amongst dairy producers over the last few years, but is it right for your farm and genetics plan? - Tools and Apps
Community Digester Assessment Tool
This spreadsheet-based tool can be used to assess the economic impact of a dairy farmer's providing manure to a community (regional) anaerobic digester. - Workshops
QuickBooks Accounting Software Training
Length 4 days, 6 hours each day.Learn key accounting principles and QuickBooks in four detailed sessions, covering setup, transaction recording, reconciliation, and practical application. - Articles
Dairy Sense: Preventative Health Care for the Dairy Herd
Be proactive by performing an annual review of your herd health preventative care. -
Applied Dairy Management in Spanish: A Podcast from Penn State Extension
Key information and take-home messages will be highlighted by the host and speakers. The podcast is recorded in both Spanish and English languages. - Articles
Enhancing Dairy Farm Efficiency: Business Analysis and Benchmarking
Running a successful dairy farm involves more than just milking cows and tending to pasture. It requires strategic planning, financial management, and continuous improvement. - Articles
Dairy Farm Preparation to Avoid the Winter Woes
A winter preparation checklist is a simple, but necessary tool. - Tools and Apps
Spreadsheet to Price Standing Corn for Silage
Use this spreadsheet to price your standing corn for silage. - Articles
Recommendations for Subclinical Ketosis Prevention
Steps and recommendations for subclinical ketosis prevention, review of achievable herd management benchmark for transition cows. - Conferences
Women in Dairy Conference
Length 7 hoursLearn and network at this exciting conference for women in the dairy industry! - Articles
Dairy Sense: Finding the Best Feed Efficiency Balance
Financials and feed management go hand in hand. - Articles
Subclinical Ketosis Monitoring Options
Review of direct and indirect methods of monitoring subclinical ketosis in dairy herds. - Videos
Analyzing the 202: Getting the Most from Your Dairy Records
This video series will help dairy producers and consultants become more familiar with the DHI-202 summary report and how to use records to see trends over time. - Webinars
Free
Dairy Biosecurity Plan Development for Bovine Influenza A (HPAI)
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Apr 24, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedCraft your dairy farm's biosecurity plan with PA guidelines to combat Bovine Influenza A. Join our webinar for expert guidance. - Articles
Subclinical Ketosis Types, Impacts, and Risk Factors
Review of different types of ketosis, biological and management risk factors, and economic impact. - Articles
Removing Cows from the Dairy Herd During Changing Market Conditions
With fluctuations in both feed and milk prices, evaluation of break-even milk production based on feed costs should be one criteria when culling decisions are made. - Articles
Cull Rates: How is Your Farm Doing?
Involuntary or biological culling happens because of poor animal health or management, especially during the transition period. The cull rate is one number that may be used to assess how well the dairy is performing. - Articles
What Will Dairy Farm Labor Cost?
Dairies need to be able to manage labor costs and overall cost of production. - Articles
Purchasing Guide for the Dairy: Precision Technology System
This article will navigate that decision making process for producers to determine which precision technology can be useful on their farm. - Workshops
Dairy Biosecurity Plan Development for Bovine Influenza A (HPAI)
Length 1 hour, 30 minutesCraft your dairy farm's biosecurity plan with PA guidelines to combat Bovine Influenza A. Join our open-house event for expert guidance. - Online Courses
$109.00
Using QuickBooks to Manage Your Farm Business: Instructor-Guided
Sections 6Length 4 hours, 30 minutesLearn basic accounting principles and QuickBooks to run your farm business. This course includes instructor interaction and webinars. - Webinars
Free
Everyday Biosecurities
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Mar 27, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedLearn about monitoring animal movements, contacts, and personnel and implementing cleaning and disinfection for animal and disease control. - Articles
Comparing 2017 and 2022 Pennsylvania Dairy Farm Census Data
The USDA conducts a Census of Ag every 5 years to collect comprehensive data on various aspects of farming. This article compares the data from the 2017 and 2022 Pennsylvania Dairy Farm Census.