Learn to Improve Cash Flow through Cropping and Nutritional Strategies

The program will focus on learning how adjustments to cropping strategies can turn a farm with a cash flow deficit into one that has cash surplus exceeding $300,000.  Participants will examine records of a real farm, looking at how adjustments to cropping strategies and the resulting ration program turned the farm operation around.

Often when feeding programs are evaluated and changes made to reduce feed costs for lactating cows, the reduction is not enough to improve the margin between milk income and feed costs. The solution involves examining the big picture, from feed inventory, feed quality, cropping strategies and different ration approaches to optimize the use of home-raised feeds.

Participants will record key information from various cropping strategies to study how each change impacts the cash flow plan. Summary data from farms that have completed a cash flow plan and income over feed cost analysis will be presented to show the areas impacting dairy farm profitability.

Presenters will be Penn State Extension Dairy Team members Tim Beck, Rob Goodling, Rebecca White and Virginia Ishler. 

To schedule this unique program contact Virginia Ishler, Penn State nutrient management specialist at 814-863-3912 or vishler@psu.edu. For details and other educational programs visit extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/education.

Cost is $15 per person which covers the cost of training and materials.