However, dairy cows increased from 129,000 in 1976 to 234,000 in 1991. The average number of cows per farm has risen substantially. Further, cow production has increased from 15,488 pounds per cow in 1976 to 20,506 pounds in 1990 for cows enrolled in the Washington Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Because of larger and more productive herds, greater mechanization and inflation, commercial dairy farmers control substantial capital resources. Large capital investments, rapid technological change, rising production costs and volatile milk prices may pose difficult challenges for you, the dairy farmer.
Survival requires the effective use of production and business management skills.
An enterprise budget is a basic business management tool. Enterprise budgets can help you identify business strengths and weaknesses, plan for adjustments, determine financing requirements and address other business management issues. Capital investment needed to replace or initially purchase the cows, buildings, facilities, machinery, equipment and land for such an enterprise. The impact of dairy cow productivity on 1992 per-cow revenues, expenses and returns. Also, the annual summary of the Whatcom Community College farm records program was helpful.