Dairy Producer Gains Confidence to Transform Farm with New Technology
As Donny Bartch of Merrimart Farms in Perry County, Pennsylvania brainstormed ideas for the future of his dairy farm, he thought about a few key questions. How do he and his wife want to end their careers in dairying? If their kids come on board, what kind of opportunities do they want them to have? With the help of a Transformation Team Grant he received through the Center for Dairy Excellence, Donny was able to consider whether transforming the farm with robotic milking technology was a good fit for his future.
Dairy Producer Shares Perspective on Getting Started, Managing Costs and Building First-Generation Herd
Abbie Evans of A Joy Swiss in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania may have grown up in multiple generations of dairy farming, but she has worked with her husband to build their first-generation Brown Swiss herd and start their dairy operation from the ground up.
The Bigger Picture: Washington County Dairy Farmer Learns About Business Planning
“Part of knowing where you’re going is knowing where you’ve been.” Business plans for a dairy operation provide both a historical perspective and a roadmap for future adventures. For Andrew Martin of Linden Creek Dairy in Washington County, Pennsylvania, it was this outlook that motivated him to create a business plan and help his family’s 80-cow dairy continue to advance forward.
Franklin County Dairy Farm Pursues New Opportunities with the Help of Professional Consultant
When Ron and Amy Wenger of Hollowacres Farm, LLC in Franklin County, Pennsylvania decided they wanted to make a change on their dairy, they were considering several different opportunities. Their team was considering purchasing a neighboring farm or expanding their current operation. They were also open to the ideas of diversifying or remodeling the dairy.
Team Program Grants Drive Transformation at Lebanon County Dairy
For Reid Hoover of Brook-Corner Holsteins, making the decision to pursue a career in dairy was an easy one. After growing up on a farm throughout his childhood, managing the 370-cow dairy with his family became his passion. When his son decided to join the business after college, the decisions for how they needed to transform their operation were much more complex.
Team Approach Transforms Pennsylvania Dairy Farm
For Dave and Phoebe Bitler from Vista Grande Farms in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, a team approach to decision-making was just what they needed to transform their business. With 160 milking cows and 450 acres of crops, the Bitlers wanted to strengthen their dairy’s efficiency, improve profitability and enhance performance to prepare for when their son joined them in partnership.