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Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here?. Tina L. Struyk Sheboygan County Extension Dairy & Livestock Agent UW-Extension Dairy Team “Modernizing Wisconsin’s Dairy Farms” Train-the Trainer Module June 20-21, 2002. Getting Started. Evaluate your current situation Understand your options Gain knowledge

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Where Do We Go From Here?

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  1. Where Do We Go From Here? Tina L. Struyk Sheboygan County Extension Dairy & Livestock Agent UW-Extension Dairy Team “Modernizing Wisconsin’s Dairy Farms” Train-the Trainer Module June 20-21, 2002

  2. Getting Started • Evaluate your current situation • Understand your options • Gain knowledge • Attend modernization seminars & workshops • Visit farms • Read popular press articles • Talk with local service people • Define your goals • Short-term & Long-term • HAVE AN OPEN MIND!

  3. Getting Your Business Plan Together • It’s the brain cell of every manager • Includes all aspects of the business • Financial • Production • Crops • Organize-you have most of the records already! • Past financial records • Milk and crop production records • Herd Health records • List of assets

  4. Financial Support • Bankers, lenders • Farm Service Agencies • Dairy 20/20 Early Planning Grant

  5. Use your resources!

  6. Team: A small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.-Kazenbach & Smith

  7. A Team Approachto Dairy Facilities Planning and Construction Family Veterinarian Crop Consultant Nutritionist Employees Land Conservation Representative UW-Extension Agent Facilities Consultant Contractor Equipment Dealer Project Supervisor Farm Management Consultant Lender/Investors Milk Plant

  8. Modernization Advisory Team • Who do they include? • Owners or stakeholders • Nutritionist • Veterinarian • Extension Agent • Banker • Other service people • Key People from the farm Diversity & Knowledge is the KEY!

  9. Why advisory teams? • Expertise in specific areas • Teams divide the work up • Teams multiply the results

  10. Benefits of an advisory team for the producer • More effective communication • Greater source of ideas • Greater return for time spent • Knowledge of what others are doing • Establish priorities • Confidence & more positive attitude

  11. Benefits of an advisory team for the consultant • Better understanding of farm goals • Ideas from others • Improved skills in problem solving • More profitable farms • Improved attitudes

  12. Concepts of the advisory team • Identify farm challenges • Discussion and brainstorming • New ideas • Discuss advantages & disadvantages • Provide new options or suggestions • Formulate goals and action plans

  13. Walk-thru Introductions Team roles Ground rules SWOT analysis SMART Goals The 1st meeting…

  14. S.W.O.T. Analysis • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats

  15. S.M.A.R.T. Goals • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Relevant • Timely

  16. Sheboygan County Advisory Team • Consisted of: • Owners & wives • Accountant • Banker • Nutritionist • Veterinarian • Agronomist • Extension Agent • Contractor

  17. Prior to expansion • 280 cows • 173 tie-stall barns • Milking took 6 hours with 4 milkers • 60 lbs/cow/day • 225 SCC average • 12-16 hour work day

  18. S.W.O.T. Analysis • Strengths: • Each member liked different duties • large number of animals • Family Labor • Excellent source of consultants • Weaknesses: • Time • Labor pool • Opportunities • Land • Threats • Milk price • LLC Transfer • Purchase animals/biosecurity

  19. S.M.A.R.T. Goals • Milking 400 cows in a freestall/milking complex within 2 years • House all cattle on main farm • Renovate existing 173 tie-stall barn for heifers • Reduce individual work hours • Develop organization charts • Estate transfer

  20. Sheboygan County Advisory Team • July 28, 1999 to August 23, 2000 • Met 10 times • Began construction April 2000 • Moved into new facilities August 2000

  21. During the year the team… • Developed & implemented biosecurity plan • Decided to have purchased heifers raised by a grower • Designed & built special needs barn • Completed job preference survey for owners • Facilitated LLC transfer to next generation • Developed organizational chart with job descriptions • Developed employee handbook

  22. Prior to expansion 280 cows 173 tie-stall barns Milking took 6 hours with 4 milkers 60 lbs/cow/day 225 SCC average 12-16 hour work day

  23. After expansion… 570 cows Double 12 parlor 6 ½ hours with 2 milkers for each milking 85 lbs/cow/day 180 SCC average 8-10 hour work day • 280 cows • 173 tie-stall barn • Milking took 6 hours with 4 milkers • 60 lbs/cow/day • 225 SCC average • 12-16 hour work day

  24. Positive things the farm had to say about team… • Liked team effort • Opened communication between family members • Resource people brought in a set of “fresh eyes” • Resulted in better planning • Confidence in what they were doing

  25. Use your resources!

  26. Where Do We Go From Here? Tina L. Struyk Sheboygan County Extension Dairy & Livestock Agent UW-Extension Dairy Team “Modernizing Wisconsin’s Dairy Farms” Train-the Trainer Module June 20-21, 2002

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