Management

Maurie and Rita Young, owners of Emerald Spring Dairy in Plainview, Minnesota, saw an opportunity in November 2005 to expand their 500-cow operation. Heijwood Dairy, a neighboring farm located directly across the highway from their farm, went up for sale. Although the Youngs believed purchasing the farm would be advantageous, they also knew it would tighten their equity position and decided it was more of a “squeeze” than they were comfortable with taking.

In the popular movie “What Women Want,” Mel Gibson’s character is involved in a freak accident that leaves him with the ability to read women’s minds. Many times, employers wish they had that ability as they spend a lot of time wondering exactly what employees want.

The Farm Bill requires that the USDA permit forward contracting of milk as an alternative to minimum prices.

A simple definition of surviving is “the ability to continue to exist.” Many dairies are struggling to exist because they failed to understand or choose to ignore the importance of integrating the management of the dairy and manure operations. Integration is the process of combining or bringing together of operations. Manage is defined as “to be in charge of” or “to control.”

Ryan Riezebos finds that simplicity is best and so far it has worked well for him. While keeping his cows comfortable is not always simple, he found a set-up that is both low-maintenance and effective.

In 2006, University of Georgia student Cameron Prince used the website “Facebook.com” to unite agricultural college students like himself.