Pennsylvania dairy producers who want to tap into the knowledge of a personal team of dairy industry experts to improve their operations and profitability can enroll in the 2012 On-Farm Dairy Resource Team Program offered by the state’s Center for Dairy Excellence.
“Profit teams are a valuable tool for any dairy farm family,” said John Frey, executive director of the center. “Many who participate in the profit team program credit their team for helping them better manage their business, improving production and enhancing profitability.”
An on-farm dairy resource team operates much like a board of directors for the farm, with trusted advisors meeting regularly to discuss the farm operation and bottlenecks that impede profitability. A facilitator designated by the farm, with assistance from the center, coordinates the meetings and focuses the team.
The center offers funding to support the cost of paid team members and other discovery-related costs. Funding levels for 2012 are the same as for previous years:
Dairy Profit Team: Up to $1,500 for new teams or $1,000 for existing teams;
Target Profit Team: Up to $1,000 for new teams or $750 for existing teams for specific operational performance review; and
Dairy Succession Planning Team: Up to $2,000 for new teams and up to $1,000 for existing teams.
Dairy farms not enrolled but interested in establishing a profit, target or succession planning team can contact the center to receive an application by calling 717-346-0849 or emailing info@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Source: The Center for Dairy Excellence