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Agricultural Profitability: Dairy Farms
Issue:
Development pressures on land values and environmental constraints are making it increasingly difficult to produce milk economically in Maryland. Unless economical alternative methods of production are implemented, many dairy farms will cease operation.
Actions:
Impacts:
Development pressures on land values and environmental constraints are making it increasingly difficult to produce milk economically in Maryland. Unless economical alternative methods of production are implemented, many dairy farms will cease operation.
Actions:
- UME conducts the Maryland Dairy Farm Business Summary, which helps dairy farmers analyze their financial data to compare confinement and intensive grazing dairy operations.
- UME conducts plot analysis and grazing trials on 58 perennial and annual grass varieties.
Impacts:
- The average of years 1997-2001 shows the grazing operations generated a $1.55 per cwt of milk sold, or a $171 per cow higher profit than confinement operations. While the grazing operations annually produced 3,464 lbs less milk per cow and averaged only 88 cows per farm in comparison with 118 cows per farm on the confinement operations, the grazing operations generated a $1,106 higher profit per farm.
- Thirty-four dairy farmers have converted their production systems to grass-based dairying. Of these, 12 have purchased their farm or are positioning themselves to buy a farm since converting to grazing.
ShareThisFor more information, contact Dr Nick Place
Last updated: 11/13/2009