Home > How to Become a Dairy Artisan > Conducting Market Research
Conducting Market Research
This is a fundamental step in discovering your niche. In order to develop a successful business, you certainly need to think creatively and have a good idea for a product. However, you also need to talk to the people you think might buy your product before you start production. This is a great time in your business development to talk with other dairy artisans to learn what they have experienced. Share ideas, but more importantly listen to what their experiences have taught them.
Center for Dairy Profitability
The Center for Dairy Profitability offers tools for farmers to increase production efficiency and profitability. A number of decision-making tools and publications are available.
Cheese Market News
Cheese Market News is the weekly newspaper of the cheese and dairy/deli business industry. It publishes up-to-date reports on dairy prices as well as informative market research articles. Contact 608-831-6002 for further information.
Cheese Reporter
The Cheese Reporter provides up-to-date information on cheese, butter and milk prices as well as current events in the dairy industry. Contact 608-246-8430 for further information.
Conducting Market Research
New Farm Options, University of Wisconsin Extension. While you may need to hire a consultant to help with your market research, there is a lot you can do on your own with a telephone and an internet connection. The site offers weblinks and documents to help you with your research.
Developing a Marketing Plan
New Farm Options, University of Wisconsin Extension. “Find your market first” is a catch-phrase you hear in North Dakota these days, where farmers are starting profitable value-added ventures to increase their incomes. Once you find your market, you want to keep and expand it. Explore the weblinks at this site for more on developing a marketing plan.
Measurements, Conversion Units and Calculation Useful to Farmers & Agriculture Specialists
From ATTRA, an online tool for measurements, conversion units and calculations useful to farmers.
Understanding Dairy Markets: University of Wisconsin Dairy Marketing and Risk Management Program
Understanding Dairy Markets is the state’s best source for market information and price risk management principles. Contact Dr. Brian Gould at gould@aae.wisc.edu for further information.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Life Sciences Communication
The Department of Life Sciences Communication conducts marketing classes, surveys and market research for free or reduced-fee student help. Other UW or Technical College campuses may have communication or marketing department that will help as well.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, located in Madison , provides product and market information in addition to financial consulting services to farmers. Contact 800-942-2474 for further information.
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board – Market Resources
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board producer website provides information related to dairy market outlook and analysis, dairy market news and livestock market reports.
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center has branches on all UW campuses. It provides classes and individual consulting. Some of these programs are free while others require a fee.
