Profit Tips
A different story is unfolding in 2023 with a decline in milk prices, while expenses continue to remain high. What are the best recommendations to help position yourself for a good start for the first half of the year.
The rollercoaster of milk prices is something we have seen before. Dr. Kevin Bernhardt with the UW-Extension recommends producers do a sensitivity analysis and ask, ‘How quickly can your good fortunate change?’
One glance at the milk futures and it’s hard to be optimistic, especially coming off a record milk market year. Simply stated, the second half of the year presents opportunities that come with bittersweet reviews.
Three farmers share what they have done to keep their good employees, including how they hired some unique employees that have become a good fit for their operations.
Amber Horn-Leiterman witnessed her mom doing it all—contributing to the farm, as well as caring for the family. The Wisconsin dairy mom says it’s okay for moms to let down their superwoman powers and ask for help.
Feed and labor are the two biggest budget items for dairies. With the costs of both climbing, could autonomy be a possible solution for the labor shortage on dairy farms today? John Deere is planning on it.
Young and exuberant, Katelyn Packard would say that everything kind of fell into place with her role and responsibilities as a sixth-generation dairy farmer in Manchester, Mich.
Maryland dairy farmer not only has a garden, she also has a garden to share. Visitors get more than an opportunity to pick flowers. They get to tour a dairy farm and be reminded of all the good that life has to offer.
Knowing your budget is essential for dairy producers, especially coming off a record-high milk price year. Penn State Extension offers guidelines to be considered when using milk futures.
Innovation can be defined as taking two things that exist and putting them together in a new way. This is exactly the case for Bar 20 Dairy the recipients of the IDFA 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award.
Called the ‘participation trophy’ group, often the younger generation gets a bad rap. However, younger generations have a lot to offer in terms of technology, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
The bomb cyclone has sucker punched California. While farmers have prayed for rain to end the drought plaguing the state, a leading expert says that the bomb cyclone will not end California’s persistent drought.
One thing that farms can provide that can help attract and retain employees— housing. According to the National FARM program, dairies providing housing for their employees is a valuable benefit for farm workers.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that November’s DMC income over feed costs calculation is $10.89/cwt. This means that for the second month in a row no indemnity payment will be issued.
Farmers are confronted with a long list of challenges and labor is one of the biggest concerns facing dairy. Arizona dairy farmer, Casey Dugan, recently spoke about labor and hiring inmates on AgriTalk.
Ben Laine, a senior dairy analyst with Terrain, says that he expects 2023 will be deceptively steady in the sense that the U.S. will stay fairly level with current cow numbers.
Ever dream of having a Fairy God Mother grant you three wishes to help your dairy farm push forward? If you had three wishes for the New Year and could put anything into place on your dairy, what would it be?
To continue being a part of the 2% of dairy farmers that feed the world, we need you all to continue being bold with your decision-making to move your dairy forward. Register today for the Milk Business Conference today!
The Zisk 2023 report shows that dairy producers again expect a great year, surprisingly a little more profitable than 2022. That said not all producers will share in the success.
Wide price swings have become more frequent over the past year. These price swings have taken place over short durations as market participants have been quick to enter and exit positions.
One common challenge that pretty much every dairy producer can comment on is labor challenges. While labor shortages are no longer a stark headline, they certainly continue to be a headache dairy farms are faced with.
Recently, three dairy producers from coast to coast talked about the biggest, unexpected challenge that faced their dairy this year on a Farm Journal Farm County Update webinar.
When it comes to turnover, leading experts say a producer shouldn’t just chalk it up that an employee left for more money. Pausing to understand your workforce’s needs can help minimize turnover in the long run.
The consumer no longer can absorb higher costs. Tanner Ehmke with CoBank says that lighter foot traffic is seen in some grocery stores, while discount retailers have seen a significant increase in foot traffic.
Dairy financial experts strongly encourage producers to push pause to outline the steps needed to take place in Q4 to wrap up the year on the best foot possible and help position a dairy for a successful start in 2023.
Another story that continues to unfold is the shift of herds inland. Tanner Ehmke with CoBank says this long-term trend of migration from the coastal areas to the central states where costs are lower will continue.
Diving into the international supply and demand picture, Alyssa Badger of HighGround Trading Group explained that every country has its own set of issues that factor into the supply side of things.
Labor shortages are no longer a stark headline, but instead a continued headache dairy farms are faced with. Recently on an Ag Future podcast, Dr. Luke Miller with Alltech spoke about training and retaining labor.
Head to Georgia and you’ll find a farmer with a New York accent and no dairy in his DNA. Nevertheless, Pete Gelber is a dairy farmer who offers a unique, firsthand perspective on succession planning.
For the second month in a row, Dairy Margin Coverage payments will be issued. USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that September’s DMC income over feed costs calculation to be $8.62/cwt.