Jefferson and Madison Counties
Dairy Profit Teams Initiative Project Overview
A Little Bit About Our Dairy Industries:
Jefferson County ranks # 4 in NYS and is one of the top 50 milk producing counties in the United States. In 2006, our 300 dairy farms had 30,900 lactating cows. Those cows
produced 597,000,000 lbs of milk or 75,000,000 gallons. Based on the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence calculations, every dairy cow has a $13,737 impact on the
local economy. Using that figure, it is calculated that the dairy industry in Jefferson County has a $424,000,000 impact and results in nearly 12,000 jobs being created and
maintained throughout the community.
Madison County has 21,300 dairy cows that provide an economic impact of $293,000,000 to the local economy. 360,000,000 lbs or 45,000,000 gallons of milk are produced
annually. The dairy industry in Madison County generates 8,600 jobs throughout the community.
What is the Dairy Profit Team Initiative?
The Jefferson and Madison Counties Dairy Profit Teams Initiative is a program designed to introduce the dairy profit team concept into New York State. Dairy Profit Teams
have been used very successfully in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and other states to help farms improve profitability. A farm dairy profit team usually consists of two or three
of the farm owners and/or managers, a trained facilitator responsible for keeping the team on task and functioning, and three primary consultants. The consultants may
consist of the farm's banker or accountant, a veterinarian, nutritionist, crop consultant, nutrient management planner or other person selected by the farm owner.
Through a grant obtained from the New York Farm Viability Institute, cost share funding will be available to pay a portion of the costs of the facilitators and team members
participation. The team functions as an advisory Board to the farm. The farm is expected to complete a benchmarking process, develop plans for growing the profitability of
the farm, implement those plans, and then evaluate and adjust plans as necessary. The team assists the farm through the entire process and holds the farm accountable for
implementing the plan. Training will be provided to the facilitators and teams to help them start the process and other training may be available as needs are identified.
Instructors from Penn State University, who are responsible for the success of the program in Pennsylvania, will provide the training for this initiative. Farms with profit
teams in other states have experienced increases in profitability, improved production and improved milk quality. Five farms from each County will be selected to
participate from all applications received. Others farms interested but not selected may be able to participate at their own cost. Dairy farms of all sizes and types of
operation are encouraged to attend the meeting and apply.
The Jefferson and Madison Counties Dairy Profit Teams Initiative is a project of the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corporation in cooperation with the Small
Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of
Jefferson County, and Morrisville State College. The Initiative is funded through a grant from the New York Farm Viability Institute.
|
