Good records are essential to knowing costs of production, says John Campbell, area farm management specialist with University of Tennessee Extension.

“Dairy farmers who know their costs and understand their financial position are better able to evaluate value-added opportunities.”

In June and July, Campbell and Hal Pepper from the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture will present “Taking a Look at Value-Added Dairy Opportunities,” a brief workshop designed to help dairy farmers calculate milk production costs and assess the costs associated with on-farm milk processing. 

“Taking a Look” highlights the impact of adding an on-farm processing enterprise on a dairy farmer’s financial statements, prospects for value-added dairy products and costs associated with on-farm processing of milk into products like fluid milk, yogurt and cheese.

“Taking a Look at Value-Added Dairy Opportunities” will be held in two locations in June and July:

• The program will be held in Shelbyville on June 29 with an early registration deadline of June 25.
• Another program will be held in Athens on July 10 with an early registration deadline of July 3.
• The workshops begin at 11 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m. All times are local time.

There is no registration fee for the workshops; however, pre-registration is required as space is limited. A meal is included.

Pre-registration information is available on the Center’s website. Contact Hal Pepper with questions at (931) 486-2777 or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

“Taking a Look at Value-Added Dairy Opportunities” was developed by the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture through funding provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.  PD

—From Center for Profitable Agriculture news release