Improve Profitability
With ever-tightening profit margins, dairy farm families must look at every alternative to enhance their dairy business, improving overall farm profitability. Several resources are available to help producers better manage their dairy businesses. Those include:
On-Farm Dairy Resource Team
Producers participating in the profit team program have seen increases in both performance and profitability, thanks to bringing more ideas into the planning and troubleshooting process. Up to $1,500 in annual funding and other support for individual farms is available through the Center.
My Dairy Plan
"My Dairy Plan" is an interactive tool created by the Center for Dairy Excellence, with assistance from the Kutztown University Small Business Center and the Pennnsylvania State University, to help dairy farm families create a business plan. It is designed to simplify the painstaking task of creating a business plan by taking the business owners and planning consultants through the steps, from completing a SWOT analysis of the business to preparing an executive summary for the farm’s lender.
"Mastering the Dairy Business" Learning Series
A conference call learning series that provides dairy producers with the insight and expertise they need to manage their dairy in an ever-changing industry. Primarily for dairy producers, these conference calls are held around the lunch hour with leading market industry experts who will share their observations on the topic at hand. Audio and presentation materials from past calls are available online for future use.
Cost of Production Worksheet
A tool created by MSC Business Services, a division of PA Farm Bureau, this worksheet is available in Excel and long-hand farm to help dairy farm families and dairy business managers calculate their cost of production, essential for making more effective business decisions.
AgBiz Masters program
The Center for Dairy Excellence is working with AgChoice Farm Credit and other industry partners to offer young and beginning dairy producers the AgBiz Masters program, which takes a blended learning approach where participants complete on-demand, eLearning modules and activities, coupled with face-to-face regional seminars that are led by leading industry experts.
Resources from Penn State Dairy Alliance
Cost of production, milk margins and income over feed cost may seem like foreign terms. But knowing what yours are for your dairy is essential to managing your cash flow and business budget. The Penn State Dairy Alliance has developed two worksheets to help dairy producers calculate their cost of production and budget cash flow for their businesses. To access those worksheets, click here.
Ongoing Educational Events & Seminars
The Center for Dairy Excellence and other industry allies in the Pennnsylvania dairy industry host educational events and seminars throughout the year to provide producers with training and resources to enhance their dairy farm business. A complete list of upcoming dairy trainings and seminars can be found on Penn State Dairy Alliance's Dairy Calendar of Events. Upcoming center events are listed on the events page.