HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Speicher, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Speicher, J. A.

Profitable Management of Large Dairy Farms in the Midwest

Department of Dairy, Michigan State University, East Lansing

ABSTRACT

Dairy farming is a business. The profit derived from a dairy farm operation is the ultimate concern of the dairyman in his role as manager of that business. To achieve maximum profit, managers must identify and solve problems relating to breeding, feeding, herd health, farm organization, expenses, capital outlay, and labor.

The objective of this paper is to outline and discuss those factors that have a major effect upon profits from large dairy farms in the Mid- west. To accomplish this objective, it is necessary to first focus upon the characteristics of such farms.

Midwestern dairying is typified by the production of feed crops, forage, and grain by the same farm unit producing the milk. Dairying as practiced in the Midwest is basically a means of marketing the products of land and labor. Summary of 1966 farm account records on 266 Southern Michigan dairy farms (2) showed value of all crops produced equivalent to 44% of the income received from milk and cattle sales.