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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 77 No. 8 2438-2449
© 1994 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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A Demonstration Project of Interdisciplinary Dairy Herd Extension, Advising Funded by Industry and Users. 1. Implementation and Evaluation

R. R. Peters 1, E. K. Cassel 1, M. A. Varner 1, R. C. Eickelberger 1, L. R. Vough 1, J. E. Manspeaker 1, L. E. Stewart 1, and J. W. Wysong 1

1 Department of Animal Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park 20742-2311

An interdisciplinary team of extension workers conducted a 2-yr demonstration project using 30 herds with the objectives of increasing production efficiency and profitability and gaining experience in integrated problem solving. After 1 yr, 88% of the participants thought that the monthly fee paid to extension was a profitable investment. At the end of the project, 70% of the participants thought that increases in milk yield per cow were due to a combination of improvements in two to four management areas rather than to changes in any single management discipline. Additional labor was necessary to implement recommendations. Two issues were key in successfully convincing dairy operators and families to accept management recommendations: 1) a coordinated team effort aimed at integrated problem solving, followed by written recommendations and regular dialogue with the producer, and 2) possession of effective social decision-making shall by the participant family. Most farms in the project depended primarily on family labor and social decision making to implement management changes. Only those families that could jointly agree to implement a new management decision fully benefited from professional advice. A demonstration project of interdisciplinary dairy advising was an effective method to gain problem-solving expertise and to build credibility for extension services.

Key Words: interdisciplinary dairy extension advising • demonstration farms

Submitted on May 18, 1993
Accepted on March 11, 1994




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