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Dairy Farming
General Links
These links take you to resources we trust on the general topic of herd health management and small dairy production.
Dairy Farming
Books
The Small Dairy Resource Book, by Vicki Dunaway, a project of the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Project/USDA, 2000. Intended for family farmers who want to produce value-added dairy products. Topics include cheesemaking, ice cream, dairy processing, dairy animals, business and marketing, butter, other dairy foods, food safety and feeds/grazing. An on-line version is available at: http://www.sare.org/publications/dairyresource/dairyresource.pdf. Or you can order a paper copy at http://www.sare.org/publications/dairyresource.htm
Websites
Acres U.S.A.
Acres U.S.A. is North America ’s oldest, largest magazine covering eco- and sustainable agriculture topics. Its website features past articles devoted to farmers and producers. The organization works with industry leaders and pioneers to host field days on value-added agriculture topics. Call 1-800-355-5313 for further information.
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
AURI publishes a quality magazine called Ag Innovation News, which provides information to the food, agriculture and business communities about development in new, ag-based ventures. Call 1-800-279-5010 for further information.
ATTRA
The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, funded by the USDA, provides information and other technical assistance to farmers and ranchers. This organization’s website features a page dedicated to raising livestock, which has research documents covering six topic areas: Beef and Dairy, Hogs/Sheep/Goats, Poultry, Grass Farming, Livestock Fencing and Water Systems, and Alternative Livestock Topics. Call 1-800-346-9140 for further information.
Farm Link Wisconsin
Through its Farm Link program, the Wisconsin Farm Center can help farmers who want to start their own operation, retiring farmers who want someone to take over their operation, farmers who want to relocate due to urban or environmental pressures, or farmers who want to expand their current businesses. Goal setting and planning with others can help you make the best decision for your individual circumstances. Call Gwen Garvey at 1-800-942-2474 for further information.
GrassWorks
GrassWorks is a membership association that links Wisconsin farmers through local networks and provides leadership, education and research support to promote grass-based farming. It hosts pasture walks and an annual conference, in addition to providing information on how to contact a local grazing group. Call 715-261-6009 for further information.
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
MOSES is best known for organizing the largest organic farming conference in the country, the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference. It provides additional educational services, such as Organic University , field days and the Upper Midwest Organic Resource Directory. Call 715-772-3153 for further information.
New Farm, a program of the Rodale Institute
New Farm is a website that reaches a global community of food producers to exchange valuable “farmer-to-farmer” information. New Farm collects and distributes success stories on crop and livestock production, direct marketing, local food systems and policy campaigns. The mission of the program is to inform, encourage and inspire farmers with the support they need to take the steps toward sustainable agriculture. Call 610-683-1470 for further information.
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance
NODPA is a resource for organic dairy farmers and milk producers. It provides information and resources on organic farming, grazing management and dairy industry news updates.
Small Dairy Project
The Small Dairy Project evaluates and disseminates knowledge to support small commercial dairy farms. It defines “small commercial dairy farm” as one which “consists of a herd of not more than 50 dairy goats or the equivalent in fluid milk from lactating cows.” SDP provides professional farmers who chose to operate at this scale access to information and resources associated with more capital intensive enterprises. Call 603-927-4176 for further information.
Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Research Program
The Wisconsin Dairy Artisan Research Program is a joint program of the Babcock Institute, the Department of Food Science at the University of WI-Madison, and the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The program provides airfare for individuals who wish to travel abroad to conduct research on dairy production methods in other countries. Call Karen Nielsen at 608-265-4169 for further information.
