Cornell co-op calls on farmers for dairy business programs
NORWICH – Dairy still remains the top industry in Chenango County and as such, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County is reaching out to area dairy farmers to take part in two programs aimed to fortify the local dairy industry and to broaden farmers’ bottom line.
The CCE is partnering with the Chenango County Ag Development Council to offer financial assistance and support needed for dairy farmers to take part in one or both available programs. The intent, according to the CCE, is to help farmers accurately monitor their business expenses. Organizers say both programs are just one more small part of a larger ongoing effort to stabilize Chenango’s dairy market.
“In this economic climate, margins are always extremely tight for farmers,” said CCE Ag Economic Development Specialist Rich Taber. Taber cited the rising cost of business expenses including fuel and animal feed that burden local farmers, and the cost of dairy products which has stayed static in recent years. “We are hoping people can use these programs to identify the factors that will help their dairy business improve.”
One program offered, the Dairy Profit Monitor (DPM), provides farmers a monthly briefing of major operating expenses and allows them to compare their expenses month to month. The goal, Taber explained, is for farmers to analyze how one expense affects another, and to minimize additional expenses that eat away at profit.
“Any time a farmer writes a check, it can be looked at and analyzed,” he pointed out.
The DPM also gives dairy farmers the opportunity to compare their operation to similar dairy businesses. CCE says this can help farmers set goals and change management practices, and DPM data can be used in meetings with employees, veterinarians, nutritionists and bankers.
The second program offered, the Dairy Farm Business Summary (DFBS), looks at statewide historical trends in the dairy industry to help farmers improve their business.
Taber said the intent of each program is not to help farmers increase production but to reduce costs instead and therefore, increase net profit.
“There are no two farms that are the same,” he added, noting the importance of each farm to develop its own plan. “But there are techniques that can help each farm reduce its expenses.”
The Chenango County ADC will provide $400 per farm to help farmers pay the cost of participation in these programs. Cornell Cooperative Extension will offer assistance in organizing the farm’s financial information to get started.
The first three months of the DPM program are free, with an annual cost of $300 per month thereafter. The DFBS program is free of charge.
Because the ADC has provided $2,000 for the programs, there is enough funding for only the first five farms that apply, although farms willing to participate beyond what is funded will be encouraged to do so.
For additional information about the two dairy business programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Chenango County ADC, contact Taber at 334-5841, ext. 21, or via email at rbt44Wcornell.edu.
The CCE is partnering with the Chenango County Ag Development Council to offer financial assistance and support needed for dairy farmers to take part in one or both available programs. The intent, according to the CCE, is to help farmers accurately monitor their business expenses. Organizers say both programs are just one more small part of a larger ongoing effort to stabilize Chenango’s dairy market.
“In this economic climate, margins are always extremely tight for farmers,” said CCE Ag Economic Development Specialist Rich Taber. Taber cited the rising cost of business expenses including fuel and animal feed that burden local farmers, and the cost of dairy products which has stayed static in recent years. “We are hoping people can use these programs to identify the factors that will help their dairy business improve.”
One program offered, the Dairy Profit Monitor (DPM), provides farmers a monthly briefing of major operating expenses and allows them to compare their expenses month to month. The goal, Taber explained, is for farmers to analyze how one expense affects another, and to minimize additional expenses that eat away at profit.
“Any time a farmer writes a check, it can be looked at and analyzed,” he pointed out.
The DPM also gives dairy farmers the opportunity to compare their operation to similar dairy businesses. CCE says this can help farmers set goals and change management practices, and DPM data can be used in meetings with employees, veterinarians, nutritionists and bankers.
The second program offered, the Dairy Farm Business Summary (DFBS), looks at statewide historical trends in the dairy industry to help farmers improve their business.
Taber said the intent of each program is not to help farmers increase production but to reduce costs instead and therefore, increase net profit.
“There are no two farms that are the same,” he added, noting the importance of each farm to develop its own plan. “But there are techniques that can help each farm reduce its expenses.”
The Chenango County ADC will provide $400 per farm to help farmers pay the cost of participation in these programs. Cornell Cooperative Extension will offer assistance in organizing the farm’s financial information to get started.
The first three months of the DPM program are free, with an annual cost of $300 per month thereafter. The DFBS program is free of charge.
Because the ADC has provided $2,000 for the programs, there is enough funding for only the first five farms that apply, although farms willing to participate beyond what is funded will be encouraged to do so.
For additional information about the two dairy business programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Chenango County ADC, contact Taber at 334-5841, ext. 21, or via email at rbt44Wcornell.edu.
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