o Assets approach or exceed $250,000 on a typical farm

o America- 20 billion gallons of raw milk

o According to USDA, in 1970 Wisconsin’s 481 cheese plants 947.5 million pounds

o By 2009, only 126 cheese plants, sold 2.6 billion pounds of cheese

Smaller to larger farms

Efficiency is a key factor for larger-scale dairy farms in maintaining overhead costs.

Dairy demands are changing with increasing demands for nutrient-level diets and new interest in specialty dairy products.

Exports are expanding to more countries as globalization of dairy trade continues.

Organic dairy products and milk provide an avenue for smaller farms to succeed.

Selecting

Breeding

Feeding

Housing

Preventing diseases

Communication between farmers and non farmers are very narrow.

Two concrete places of dairy education in Wisconsin:• 4th grade spring classroom curriculum• Agricultural Education Programs

FFA SAE Classroom

COW = MATURE FEMALE Heifer = Female not bred Bull = Mature Male Calf = Baby Manure = Cattle Feces Ad lib= Free Will Water or Food Steer= Castrated Male Herd= Group

Proven to be a stable agricultural enterprise for many years.

Reasonable profit and allows for long-term financial growth.

Great pride and satisfaction in ownership. Dairy animals react and bond to kindness. wholesome milk and other dairy foods and

products to consumers. Contributes to the beef supply. Provide an interest to FFA and 4-H projects.

Over all labor requirements A huge capital investment is needed. Lack of nutrients from roughages

alone.• Their rations must include concentrates. • grains or protein supplements, that allow

the diet to be high-energy based. Lactation requires large amounts of

nutrients.