From the Editor

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.

Successful business people and achievers in all fields set goals. Setting goals gives us long-term vision and short-term motivation. The short-term goals we set for ourselves allow us to stay on track toward achieving our long-term dreams and visions.

The optimism associated with entering a new year is always tempered by the reality of leaving the previous one. Such is the case for those aboard dairy’s train as it moves down the track from 2017 into 2018.

No need for a full page of New Year’s resolutions. Sum it all up in one little word, and see the big influence it can have on your life in 2018.

Proposed changes to U.S. tax law may affect only a few dairies, at least until milk prices rebound into profitable territory.

Dairy industry accountants mostly agree that the components of a bill that is currently being reconciled by Congress will be “tax neutral” as it relates to any dairy operation income. It’s also unlikely the current discussion about tax revisions, if signed into law, will provide any significant changes to current year (2017) tax filings.

This holiday season, I’m giving myself a very special gift: low expectations.

Last year was my first Christmas as a married woman, and I had big plans.