Transformation Case Studies

The Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE) selected 10 dairy farms to participate in a transformation team pilot grant program in 2010.  Participating dairy farms were planning a transformational business project and agreed to assemble of team experts to help them navigate the process.  Transformation project areas include herd expansion, robotic milking systems, renewable energy, business planning, succession planning, direct marketing, and employee management.  The CDE is documenting each farm’s experiences in case studies that will be shared with the industry upon completion of the three year transformation grant.

Learn more about each farm’s transformation team project, and their vision for the future, by viewing a short video clip.

Participating Farms & Project Areas:

The Balmer Family – Expansion with Robotic Milking System & Succession Planning

The Bollinger Family – Business Planning; Employee Management; Renewable Energy; Marketing & Diversification

The Brechbill Family – New Barn & Renewable Energy

The Hoover Family – Expansion with New Milking Facilities

The Houseknecht Family – Expansion with Robotic Milking System

The Hurst & Forry Families – Succession Planning & Business Planning

The Kurtz Family – Expansion with Robotic Milking System

The Sattazahn Families – Forming an LLC & Direct Marketing

The Sensenig Family – Methane Digester Utilizing Dairy, Hog, & Chicken Waste