Featured Publications and Resources

Dairy Farm Feed Cost Control: Workbook and Excel Templates Versions I and II

Feed costs represent between 50 and 60 percent of a dairy producer's expenses. To control on-farm feed costs, it is necessary to assess what forages and feeds currently are being fed and their current costs to the producer. This 32-page workbook, designed to be used with a computer spreadsheet program, can help you examine ways to control costs. This is a very specific program geared to dairy and farm management agents, dairy consultants, dairy nutritionists, veterinarians and dairy producers with good computer skills. To use the program, one needs either Windows 95 or 98 (Excel 97) or Mac OS 8.0 (Excel 98). The spreadsheet is available in two versions. Version 1 is controlled using toolbars. Version 2 is controlled using buttons.

Exiting The Dairy Industry In An Orderly Fashion

At some point in time all dairy farmers will be exiting the dairy business for various reasons. Whatever the reason, proper planning and organization can make for a smooth and more orderly transition. There are many things to consider when properly planning and organizing your exiting from the dairy business. An agenda of topics has been put together for future workshops. If you are interested in putting on or attending a workshop, contact Dave Dowler or the other members of the committee for more information. The developing committee for this program was David Dowler, Crawford Cooperative Extension, (814) 333-7460; Leon Power, Bradford Cooperative Extension, (570) 265-2896; Dr. Larry Jenkins, Department of Ag Economics and Rural Sociology, (814) 865-5461; and Dr. Michael O'Connor, Department of Dairy and Animal Science, (814) 863-3913.

Feed Prices

The Feed Price List is assembled by the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State. Prices are obtained by using several sources: the Pennsylvania grain and hay market summaries, commodity prices from "Feedstuffs," and prices from local agribusinesses. This price list is to be used when current prices are not readily available. They can be used to least cost rations etc.

Milk Income Comparison Among Different Milk Yields and Milk Fat Percents: Pdf and Spreadsheet

Milk volume and components are important to the producer because they determine the income generated. They can also indicate whether an animal health problem exists. The challenge for producers is determining when milk fat or protein becomes too low that animal health is affected or that income suffers. The opposite situation can also be a problem when component levels are too high and milk volume too low. The Pdf explains how to use the Excel spreadsheet on milk income comparison among different milk yields and milk fat percents. The spreadsheet enables comparison of income from milk across a range of different milk yields and milk fat percentages, using the pricing formula of the Northeast Federal Order. If the producer's price information is not available, you can use the current prices for the Northeast Federal order found on this Web page.

Monitoring dry matter intake, milk production, and milk margin: Fact Sheet and Spreadsheet Versions I and II

This fact sheet explains how to use an Excel template to monitor dry matter intake, milk production, and milk margin for the dairy herd. The spreadsheet that accompanies this document is available in two versions. Version 1 is for herds feeding a one-group TMR to milking cows. Version 2 is for herds feeding more than one TMR to lactating cows.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

The National Agricultural Statistics Service provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.

NRAES Publication: Workforce Management for Farms and Horticultural Businesses: Finding, Training, and Keeping Good Employees

This publication can help owners and managers of farms, horticultural businesses, and agriservice businesses learn to create a work environment that motivates employees and is productive, profitable, safe, and worker-friendly. It is the proceedings of a conference entitled "Workforce Management for Farms and Horticultural Businesses: Finding, Training, and Keeping Good Employees," which was held January 13-15, 1999, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Systematic Approach to Dairying in the Next Millennium

This publication contains the proceedings from the 1999 Mid-Atlantic Dairy Management Conference that was held on February 24-25, 1999 in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Topics range from environmental issues like nutrient management to heifer production. It is in PDF format.

The Economics of Extended Calving Intervals: Pdf and Excel Template

One way to increase the profitability of a dairy operation is to reduce the income lost to extended calving intervals—in other words, to increase the reproductive efficiency of the dairy herd. This 12-page publication, designed to be used with a computer spreadsheet program, can help you examine the economic implications of extended calving intervals. This is a very specific program geared to dairy and farm management agents, dairy consultants, dairy nutritionists, veterinarians and dairy producers with good computer skills.

Using a TMR mixing sheet to control rations and determine whole herd costs: Fact sheet and Excel Spreadsheet

The fact sheet explains how to use the Excel template to get TMR print sheets according to cow numbers, batch sizes, or percent of the mix. Data entry is limited to ingredient dry matter percent and price and dry matter pounds fed of each ingredient for each TMR formulated in a herd. Authors: Virginia Ishler and Tim Beck