Posted: 08.04.2010

Today, spending a few hours in front of a computer screen can pay bigger dividends to Wisconsin dairy farmers then hours in a field.

Now, new tools have been launched to broaden their tool kit. Free, easy-to-use, on-line, decision-making tools developed by University of Wisconsin-Extension specialists are available at www.DairyMGT.info to help dairy producers improve profitability and sustainability.

The tools important aspects of farm management like: feeding, heifers, reproduction, production, replacement, finances, environment, and price risk. The tools can help producers make decisions like whether or not they should expand their operation. For example the “Decision Support System Program for Dairy Production and Expansion” tool forecasts changes in herd structures; predicts heifer growth, tracks cow movement and cash flow, and more to help the producer decide if expansion is a viable option.

Dr. Victor Cabrera, UW-Madison Dairy Science professor and Extension Specialist, created the tools with the help of students and colleagues. The tools range from very simple to complex and are accompanied by video demonstrations, instructions of use, and documentation on the topic.

All programs are user-friendly and as simple as entering farm data into input boxes and clicking a button that makes the calculations. They also come with technical support, including help from Cabrera.

The tools are divided into seven categories:
– Feeding
– Heifers
– Reproduction
– Production
– Replacement
– Financial
– Price Risk

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