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 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: 4 th 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.