Dairy Alliance

The ultimate purpose of collecting all this information is to provide business owners with the tools needed to make sound decisions. My father and I collected milk production data so we could adjust the amount of feed the cows received. I have worked with operations over the years that had an abundance of information about their farming operations, yet those businesses were still struggling. The owners lacked a systematic approach to interpreting the data. They were so caught up in the amount of data they collected that they failed to focus on the information that provided the answers they were seeking. In some cases, data had been used to develop a solution to a problem, but the solution was never implemented. We can collect all the data in the world, but without that systematic approach to interpretation or without implementation of the solution, we have accomplished nothing.

Articles:

Developing a Strategic Business Plan

Many business owners are so caught up in the day-to-day operation of their business that they fail to consider their destination or how they are going to get there. A strategic business plan can serve as a road map to help business owners achieve their goals and reach their destinations.

Evaluating Expansion Plans

The key to a successful dairy expansion is to anticipate, reduce and control risks. Developing a strategic business plan can help producers and their advisors accomplish this.

Interpreting Your DHIA Records

Having a systematic approach to analyzing DHIA data can greatly improve dairy producers' understanding of dairy records and will increase their use of these records in making management decisions.

Making Decisions in Tight Times

In a challenging business environment, such as the one dairy producers are currently facing, many dairy business owners make decisions based on emotions, rather than facts, due to a lack of information. Armed with adequate and accurate information and the tools to analyze it, producers can make the decisions that will position them to survive and thrive in the future.

Specialization and Alternative Enterprises: Opportunities for Improved Profits

In an effort to improve the competitive position of their businesses, progressive dairy producers are closely scrutinizing the idea that a dairy business must produce the majority of the inputs needed to produce milk.

Tools:

Dairy Management Analysis

Dairy COP$ version 1.4

Culling Sheet

Culling Guide