Extension > Agriculture > Dairy Extension > Farm life
Farm life
Table of contents
Sustainability is a wicked problem
Sustainability addresses key areas: people, the planet, and profitability.
Dairy industry issues
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How do YOUR employees treat your cows when you're not there?
You can help give yourself peace of mind by creating a written Responsible Animal Care Policy, adopting the policy into your farm's use, and by setting a good example of proper animal care on your farm.
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Time trends in dairy profitability
Trends in the past few years, especially for smaller herds
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Leadership for agriculture and the dairy industry. Stepping forward!
Step forward and become a leader who can make a difference for the dairy industry and for your local community. Your leadership can have an impact.
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Thanks to dairy producers
Dairy families should feel proud of their economic contribution to the local communities and the nutritious dairy products they provide at a very low price.
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History and reflections
After 50 years as student and faculty at the U, thoughts on dairy history in Minnesota.
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Dairy farms are in their sights
Employees with positive attitudes about handling animals will make livestock procedures easier.
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Feeding dairy animals in the 21st century
From the 1894 edition of “Feeding the Dairy Herd,” to feeding the world.
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Conflicting research results – now what?
Be both skeptical and open to accepting the new information.
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Challenges of being a dairy producer
Dairy processor that export to the E.U. must guarantee that each dairy has a somatic cell count below 400,000.
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Animal care – no longer business as usual
The animal industry needs to take a very strong stance of zero tolerance for mistreatment of animals.
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Human-cow interactions
Fear of people can reduce animal well-being and possibly milk production, and increase the risk of injury.
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A positive outlook for marketing the dairy industry in the 21st century
Environmental pressures, technological challenges, innovation, world markets, and international demand.
Getting started in dairy
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Transferring the farm series
The new generation needs firm financial footing, business skills. The retiring generation needs trust.
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Agriculture Finance Section
Low-interest loan programs to farmers through the Rural Finance Authority. – Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Planning ahead
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Farm Transition: Where do we even begin?
Plan must align with the farm's and family's goals, contain an action plan for splitting of assets if necessary, a timeline for the transfer to take place
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An ounce of prevention
Be prepared for the spring thaw and wet conditions around your dairy. Prevent or minimize problems with wet areas.
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Are you a “looking up” or “looking down” manager?
Look to achieve high standards of milk quality, production and profitability for the good of the entire business.
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Farming in the future
Consider what the dairy farm will be in 2020 when making business decisions.
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Build your farm a management advisory team with a dairy discussion group
Other farmers in a dairy discussion group can help you make better decisions on your own farm.
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Estate planning series
Control your assets: provide income, assure proper inheritance after your death, and minimize taxes.
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Scoring points on the dairy farm leads to success
Little daily improvements add up to the larger goals of more financial stability and the desired quality of life.
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Planning ahead for retirement
This 80-page guide has easy-to-understand information and activities to help you plan the retirement you want.
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Make a habit of improvement on the farm
Habits that support and maintain good production practices can save time and money.
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Planning time on the dairy
Look at seed, fertilizer and chemical needs for the year before making purchases.
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What is your system?
The final design of the farm system must be kept in mind before beginning the initial stages of a remodeling or expansion project.
Farm safety
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October is fire safety month
Understand the classes of fires and how to minimize hazards.
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Create a culture of safety on your farm
Farm safety is a constant effort needing the involvement of everyone on the farm.
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Even without new federal rules—youth safety on dairy farms needs attention
It is your responsibility to keep youth on your farm safe.
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Livestock disaster planning
Understand risks of animal diseases and natural disasters, and how best to be prepared.
Stress
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Three strategies to reduce stress during difficult economic times
Daily coping: Keep friends close. Express gratitude. Channel anxiety and stress in healthy ways.
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What dairy families can do amidst low milk prices
Pay attention to caring for yourself and family. Learn how to put energy in what you can control.
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Communication skills help everyone through difficult economic times
Families can talk things through. Relationships with suppliers, bankers, and the public are also improved.
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Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network offers business and personal assistance
One place a farm family can call for assistance during the stress of the struggling rural economy.
Dairying in difficult times
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Managing the dairy business can be like a juggling act
How much can we trim from a budget and still produce? No more “want” list; the “need” list is now a challenge.
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Ideas on planning for dairy profitability cycles
The time to develop a plan to prepare for and take advantage of the next downturn is when profits are up.
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Financial management practices during challenging times
Take more time for management than ever before. Start with a balance sheet/inventory assessment.
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Saving pennies to make dollars
Look for small items that can save pennies per animal, which can add up to saving you money in the long run.
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Tighten your management
Tight economic times in the dairy industry are not confined to the U.S. We can learn from other countries.
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Help!! – How am I going to survive the next six months?
Tips that may help in making it through challenging times.
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Essential information for the navigator of today’s dairy
Understand and manage input costs, use marketing tools, work with a trusted management team.
Other farm family resources we recommend
- Sharemilking in the Midwest (89 K PDF) – Iowa State University
- Transferring your farm or ranch to the next generation (5.1 MB PDF) – Montana State University
- Dairy Your Way – University of Minnesota
- National Dairy FARM Program
- National Dairy Animal Well-being Intitiative
- Keys to quality youth development – University of Minnesota
