Dairy

Start to Farm: New Farmer Learning Network’s Dairy Series

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Abstract

Start to Farm: New Farmer Learning Networks were for beginning and early-career farmers looking for an edge in managing and growing their farm business. The ISUEO Dairy Team provided an opportunity to address ways to improve business practices and production techniques, tour successful farm operations, and form a community to share new ideas and profitable farming methods. The goal of the networks was to provide an open atmosphere for discussion, sharing of ideas and learning about resources for producers who are in their first 10-12 years of dairy farming. It is important to help producers make sound dairy farm management decisions that are backed by current and relevant information. Based on pre-post evaluations of all in class sessions and a follow up evaluation 1 month post workshops and dairy tours, participants attending the Start to Farm Dairy Series are making better decisions in different areas of their operation or prospective operations. They can evaluate the effect making changes has on their operation, which will increase profitability and sustainability of new and early career dairy farmers to continue in the business.

How to Cite:

Bentley, J. A., Ramirez, H., Timms, L. L., Tranel, L. F., Hall, F., Doran, B. E. & Olthoff, J., (2018) “Start to Farm: New Farmer Learning Network’s Dairy Series”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 15(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-334