Do you know the cost of producing milk at your farm? Is your farm profitable? Sustainable?
“A goal of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation is to support farmers to be sustainable and profitable,” says Pauline Van Biert, research analyst with the Alberta government. “The Economics Section offers the Dairy Cost Study program which provides the participating dairy farmers with valuable information on the cost and returns of milk production at their farm. In times when inflation in all areas of life is top of mind, it is good to have as much information as possible at one’s fingertips to help in making decisions and starting conversations.”
Open to all dairy farmers in Alberta, applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Dairy Cost Study program. The program is offered at no charge and is designed to help dairy producers understand the cost of producing milk at the farm. If you are interested, it is not too late to have your cost analysis done for 2023. Farm data can be provided on an annual basis.
“The dairy cost study business analysis is a valuable resource. You may already have reports on your farm’s performance, but this analysis is another perspective and way of looking at your numbers. Having your own numbers in front of you helps assess your farm management options. Tracking cost of production quickly provides information to determine how/if costs are changing over time and effect on milk production and revenue.”
Van Biert says there are several reasons to participate in the Dairy Cost Study:
- Build a better understanding of your current dairy business.
- Be better prepared to handle time of flux and stress.
- Make decisions based on your own farm’s performance.
- It is a necessity in your management cycle of measure, analyze, plan, implement and measure again.
- Identify opportunity or flexibility to make changes to get closer to net zero.
- Empower yourself by being informed.
“The dairy cost study has been in existence for more than 50 years and has a proven track record of providing credible information. Many producers have benefitted from being on the program,” says Van Biert.
Click here to see more...