Two researchers standing with dairy cows, posing for the photo
Updated: March 30, 2021

With over 50,000 dairy cows in Maryland it only makes sense that the state drink of Maryland is Milk! So if you are thinking of starting a dairy you are in the right state! Utilize the resources below to learn about dairy herd management and production.

General 

Purdue University Dairy Page - Purdue University Animal Sciences 

  • Check out Perdue's Dairy page for general information as well as a list of Extension publications from across the United States 

Economics 

University of Wisconsin Dairy Budgets - University of Wisconsin Extension 

  • Utilize the University of Wisconsin Dairy Enterprise budget to help manage your dairy herd. 

Dairy Enterprise Budgets for Iowa - Iowa State University Extension 

  • Iowa State University provides insight to the importance of enterprise budgets and how to use their template.

Breeding & Reproductive Management 

Wisconsin-Cornell Dairy Repro: A Reproductive Programs Economics Analysis Tool - University of Wisconsin and Cornell

  • Use the Dairy Repro tool from the University of Wisconsin and Cornell to simulate your herds production and reproductive calendar. Tool can be found under the section on "Reproduction".

The Importance of Good Reproductive Performance - University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service 

  • Learn how good reproductive performance contributes to herd efficiency.  This short publication is provided by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Health Management 

Identifying and Treating Uterine Disease in Dairy Cows (VM179) - University of Florida IFAS Extension 

Milking Machine and Mastitis Control Handbook (CIR1136) - University of Florida IFAS Extension 

  • University of Florida provides a Milking Machine and Mastitis Control Handbook to help understand how to manage mastitis within the herd.

Nutrition Management

Tune-Up Your Cow's Nutrition Program - University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service 

Profitable Feeding Programs for Dairy Cattle - University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service 

Facilities/housing

What Kind of Housing Should I Build for My Milking Herd? - University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture: Animal and Food Sciences 

Tie-Stall Facilities: Design, Dimensions, and Cow Comfort - University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture: Animal and Food Sciences