Dairy farmers and allied industry representatives attending the 2019 Dairy Strong conference received a mix of inspiration and practical information during the fifth annual event, held Jan. 23-24 in Madison, Wisconsin.

You’re busy – milking cows, managing employees and getting ready for spring. With that in mind, Progressive Dairyman looks at issues in the news impacting you and your dairy business.

If we ask ourselves why we do what we do in the dairy every day, surely, the answer – especially for those of us who have left loved ones in our countries of origin and adapted to new cultures, who miss the warmth of our former homes – is that we do it all for family.

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Labor is the second-largest expense on dairy farms, and labor costs are frequently a target for cuts. However, any attempts to reduce labor expenses must be weighed against the impact on quality and the quantity of the farm’s output, warns Jason Karszes, Cornell University’s PRO-DAIRY farm management specialist.

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The 2018 Farm Bill or its official legislative name, Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 20, 2018. This $867 billion legislation is the 18th farm bill.

We are in a fourth year of depressed milk prices, the longest span we’ve experienced in the last 20 years. Dairy farmers must concentrate more than ever on expense reduction and enhanced profitability.

As automated and voluntary milking systems, more commonly referred to as robots, surge in popularity, so does the interest in using such technology in a grazing-based dairy operation.

Although it is common knowledge the dairy industry is tough right now, it is still possible to pursue the idea of having a dairy operation. Financial officer Ron Bula said even though cash flow can be tight, there are still opportunities for those looking to start up.