Dennis Johnson, Dairy Production Systems, WCROC, Morris

August 12, 2006

The front page of the July 22 edition of Dairy Star had three headlines - "Drought threatens region's crop yields," "Carver county's 'farmer' tour focuses on parlor's, compost barns," and "MDA reports first increase in MN dairy farms in over 30 years." The drought article related to an unfortunate act of nature that individual farmers can do little to control. But the articles about an increase in herd numbers and a large crowd viewing a new compost barn reflect the fact there are still people that see a future in dairy farming.

There are many different opinions about the dairy future in Minnesota. Clearly there are investors interested in participating in large scale dairy farming, even mega-dairies here in Minnesota. Some investors are crop farmers that would like to assure a market for their crops, some are feedlot operators that recognize added value in a milk production system, some are processors interested in assuring supply, and some are expanding dairy farmers looking for advantages of scale.

But there are also producers and potential producers interested in modest sized operations that are cow-friendly. That would be the group that is so excited about compost barns these days.

"Big, medium-sized or small, there is a place for all" could be a rallying cry for promoting dairying in Minnesota. Western Minnesota has been very welcoming to the larger dairies, while the moderate-sized dairies continue to fit well in the more populated areas. In fact, most rural people like seeing cattle in the landscape and want livestock farmers in their community to thrive.

We need to appreciate that there is opportunity for success in several kinds of dairy farms. Dairy farmers and potential farmers with well-defined goals and a strong business plan have a smorgasbord of choices if they can find the appropriate property to utilize and obtain the support they need to become established.

The long standing need to lay out the alternatives in dairying for current or prospective farmers and for other interested people that serve dairy farms is addressed in a new publication from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture entitled, "Dairy Your Way - A Guide to Management Alternatives for the Upper Midwest." The booklet has chapters and farm profiles relating to tie stall, free stall, other housing, grazing systems, organic production, custom heifer raising, value-added processing, milking center options, and entry and exit strategies.

The guide was developed to:
• Help farmers compete, prosper, and create successful and fulfilling dairy operations.
• Encourage producers of different types, sizes, and philosophies to coexist and cooperate, recognizing that there is no single "perfect" production system.
• Offer options that can provide market access to beginning and specialty dairy producers, regardless of size.
• Build upon the expertise and experience of noted authorities, including producers.
• Support dairy production in the Upper Midwest as a vital contribution to agriculture, communities and the economy as a whole.
• Serve as a resource for producers who want to evaluate different dairy options.

The guide will help:
• Clarify your dairying goals.
• Understand the range of dairy options you have in the Upper Midwest.
• Identify options that fit your strengths, interests, and resources.
• Encourage further planning, discussion, and networking.
• Provide contact information to research areas of interest on your own.

The guide will not:
• Cover every system or combinations of systems used in the Upper Midwest.
• Provide state-of-the-art technical data.
• Replace the expertise and counsel of breeders, nutritionists, veterinarians, engineers, accountants, attorneys, extension educators, contractors, and consultants.
• Guarantee success, sustainability, or personal satisfaction.
• Make decisions for you.

Agriculture lenders and prospective dairy farmers are two sets of people that will benefit most from this guide. I encourage you to order copies to give to them.

A print copy of Dairy Your Way is available free from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, telephone 651-201-6012, www.mda.state.mn.us, or from the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, 612-625-8217, 800-909-6472, misamail@umn.edu.