Cows crave consistency. Milking time, udder prep, feed delivery, animal care and handling, reproduction and the nutrients delivered in the ration should be the same day in and day out.

I did it. I finished an MBA. And I’ve finally got my nights and weekends back again. I learned a few things from the journey I hope can be of help to each of you.

Last quarter’s export-assisted sales were the equivalent of 870,209 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

A few years ago, no one had heard of an ice cream called “Halo Top.” In August of 2017, the high-protein, low-fat, low-sugar brand was leading all other ice creams in grocery store pint sales. And your dairy checkoff helped make that happen.

Results of a large, ongoing study of Midwest dairy operations show six factors that separate top financial performance herds from their peers.

Although it is easier to strategize about protecting profitability when times are good, a sound risk management plan applies to all margin environments and is especially important when the outlook is bad. When margins are low and opportunities are hard to find, producers may not consider it worthwhile to initiate margin coverage, preferring to stay open to the market.

When it comes to the “right” amount of debt, farm business owners sometimes feel like “you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” Borrowing money can be risky, but on the other hand, not investing in the business could limit opportunity and put the farm at a significant competitive disadvantage over time.

While the long-term outlook for agriculture is bullish, dairy producers face short-term financial challenges, Rod Wautlet, Agri-Business Consultants LLC, told producers attending the 2017 Vita Plus Dairy Summit, Dec. 6-7, in Madison, Wisconsin.

The dairy industry is volatile and unpredictable, and that isn’t likely to change. Dairy managers must embrace and adapt to that mentality to be successful, Michael Swanson, ag economist with Wells Fargo, told dairy producers attending the 2017 Vita Plus Dairy Summit, Dec. 6-7, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Most federal tax reform changes signed into law under H.R. 1 went into effect Jan. 1, 2018, meaning they will impact tax returns filed in 2019. However, dairy farmers need to understand how the law is impacting them early in 2018 so they can make good business decisions and plan accordingly in the months ahead.