All dairy producers are asking tough questions of themselves during this economic downturn. Low milk prices accompanied by high input prices have placed many of you in precarious situations.

There is an old saying in the trading world that many people have heard before. “Buy low, sell high!” The premise, of course, is that you take home the middle, the margin, the change or however you care to refer to it.

Earlier this year the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE) conducted a survey of dairy producers throughout the state with hopes that the information gleaned will help Pennsylvania dairy stakeholder groups provide support, direction and resources to a rapidly changing industry.

Editor’s note: The following story is the first in a series of three articles reviewing the use of international refugees as dairy workers.

A sharp downturn in milk prices has produced what may be the worst crisis most dairy farmers have seen in their lifetime.

If you haven’t learned about our Crossover seminars, click over to El Lechero to read about the events.

Wisconsin dairy management consultant Tom Wall developed his newest way to train Hispanic workers about milking protocols while sitting behind the wheel of his car and driving between road trip appointments in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Every day dairy producers are presented with the task of managing an efficient, well-run dairy while keeping up with consumer demands for a high-quality product.

“In the ag industry we have very trusting individuals. Unfortunately, there are individuals out there that want to take advantage of that,” says Ryan Jacobsen, a representative from the Fresno County Farm Bureau.

We begin our discussion of a complex topic with a simple question: How can I motivate my employees? We propose a simple yet unique answer: You can’t do it alone!