Profit Tips
Dairy farmer Roger Herrera addressed labor at the recent 2021 Milk Business Conference and while labor shortages are not a new to the dairy industry, it continues to be a constant headache that producers battle daily.
Farmers are now redirecting their time to prepare year-ending tax prep work. Despite dealing with lackluster milk box prices this year and rising input costs, experts advise paying attention to year-end tax basics.
Feed costs, labor costs and material increases all have increased the cost of production, resulting in a steep year-over-year decline in milk production that was illustrated in the recent USDA Milk Production Report.
The problem seems straightforward—you need someone to milk cows, feed cows or feed calves. Insert COVID-19 and labor shortages now into the picture and the answer to fill those vacant positions seems complex.
Three dairy producers discuss how efficiencies and technology play a role on their farm and how the industry needs to continue to evolve and adapt for future farmers in the next 10 to 20 years.
Dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. At times it can even feel like farmers are literally with their cows nonstop. Nestled in the small Northeast Iowa town, Dan and Lynn Bolin offer an experience to do just that.
In the long run, what opportunities could farmers harvest? Consider these emerging trends.
Many farmers wake up and look at the weather to determine their day. The historic drought crippled farmers and Jennifer Beretta was forced to make tough management decisions on her dairy in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Held in Las Vegas Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, the 18th Annual MILK Business Conference has a great line-up of speakers and sessions to help dairy producers capitalize on and further develop their strengths to work for them.
Optimizing productivity and improving efficiency are top goals that are talked about in farm meetings. The big-ticket question is, “What can help a dairy producer launch their operation to the next level?”
It is advised to evaluate heifer inventory when managing rising feed costs and calculating feed inventories. Managing heifer inventory can save money on feed, as well as help market females at the right time.
With more milk production occurring on fewer farms and large-scale operations expanding into non-traditional markets, the question remains: Who will be the top dairy states in the next decade?
Krause Holsteins finished chopping corn silage a month earlier than normal. The results due to the extreme drought conditions in portions of the Midwest caused Krause’s corn silage to yield two thirds less than normal.
Some of the most important decisions dairy farmers make in a year pivot around producing corn silage. This year the discussion also falls on how much inventory to have on hand, especially now with high feed prices.
With labor being a top concern for dairy farms, finding people to work is becoming increasingly difficult and retaining good employees is becoming a must.
Dairy producers have an opportunity to do a better job of raising heifers by incorporating basic technology that can help improve their heifer programs and animal lifetime performance.
With grain markets continuing to march upwards, dairy producers are questioning how they will manage not only the increase to their feed bill, but a possible shortage of ingredients to feed their cows.
With only 450 acres and milking 60 Jersey cows, Ken Ropp has built a business that has survived and thrived in central Illinois. The lessons Ken has learned are ones that can apply to many farms of all sizes.
In November Washington dairy farmers were required to begin paying overtime to any of their employees who work more than a 40-hour workweek. The state of Washington has the highest minimum wage in the country at $13.69.
Dairy beef makes up approximately 20% of the fed cattle market.
Mitzie Blanchard of Blanchard Family Dairy shares the changes she has made to her dairy’s management due increasing feed costs.
Attend this webinar to listen to dairies across the U.S share the experiences they have had with technology, the challenges and opportunities they have found and how they have increased profit.
The key is good records, and then knowing what it is costing you to raise feed.
Farmers who survived the downturn from more than 30 years ago learned best practices that are applicable to today’s challenges.
Higher production does not guarantee profitability, but it does provide the opportunity to pay more bills as long as costs are contained.
Washington dairy farmers will need to pay $20.54 per overtime hour starting in 2021.
Step by step, Soaring Eagle Dairy welcomes the next generation and keeps the business moving forward.
The value data can provide to you can only be recognized when it is put to use to evaluate your farm operation and make decisions based on those insights. Fortunately, that is possible today.
The Farm Journal Field Days agenda has been designed to address the biggest issues and challenges facing the agricultural industry right now.