UT Workshop to Help Farmers with Value-Added Dairy Opportunities

Cow, Goat, and Sheep Producers Should Pre-register by July 29

June is Dairy Month, and Hal Pepper, a financial analysis specialist with University of Tennessee Extension, reminds dairy producers that proper business planning and understanding costs of production are always important considerations for successful dairies.
“Dairy farmers who know their costs and understand their financial position are better able to evaluate value-added opportunities,” Pepper said.

In August, Pepper along with David Bilderback, Eric Goan and Peter Krawczel, all from UT Extension, will present a five-hour workshop designed to help dairy farmers learn about calculating milk production costs and assessing the costs and opportunities associated with on-farm milk processing. “Taking a Look at Value-Added Dairy Opportunities” will present information about these business considerations:

●management related to hygiene, health and productivity
● the impact of an on-farm processing enterprise on a dairy farmer’s financial statements
● prospects for value-added dairy products
● costs associated with on-farm processing of milk into products like fluid milk, yogurt and cheese
● design of on-farm processing plant layoutand costs of equipment.

The workshop is designed for cow, goat and sheep producers who want to consider on-farm milk processing.

“Taking a Look at Value-Added Dairy Opportunities” will be held in Knoxville on August 5, but participants must pre-registration by July 29 to attend. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and end by 3 p.m. EDT.

There is no fee to attend the workshop; however, pre-registration is required as space is limited. A meal is included. Pre-registration information is available on the website for the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture. You may also contact Nancy Austin at the UT Department of Food Science and Technology by phone, 865-974-7717, or by e-mail, naustin@utk.edu.

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

The Center for Profitable Agriculture is a joint effort of University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee county, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension workswith farmers, families, youth and communities to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels.

Source: Cow, Goat, and Sheep Producers Should Pre-register by July 29