PASTURE BASED DAIRY/LIVESTOCK - MANAGING THE BUSINESS

FISC 73

Course Description

Course covers grass-fed production and marketing, risk management (specifically of pasture-based farms), pasture soil nutrient management, grazing and natural resource management, and ecological restoration through livestock. Students will present their business plans to a panel of lenders. Students will be required to attend four evening Business Plan Writing Workshops. This is the final course in the two-course series of the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy/Livestock Farmers (WSBDF) program.

Prerequisties

FISC 72

Satisfies

This course does not satisfy any prerequisites.

Credits

Not Reported

Offered

Not Reported

Grade Point Average

Not Reported

Could not calculate change

Completion Rate

Not Reported

Could not calculate change

A Rate

Not Reported

Could not calculate change

Class Size

Not Reported

No change from Historical

Instructors (2025 Fall)

Sorted by ratings from Rate My Professors

Similar Courses

DAIRY HERD MANAGEMENT

FISC 63

In this comprehensive course, students will learn how to care for their herd to increase production and profits. Use of business, feeding, and herd management tools in dairy farm operation will be covered in depth. Case studies of individual farms used for analysis and planning. Specific topics covered will include: cattle movement and behavior, calf care, heifer care, nutrition, reproduction, fresh cows and diseases, parlor management, milk harvest, mammary anatomy, mastitis and milk quality control, cattle comfort and housing options, herd culling decisions, and interacting with the consumer.

PASTURE BASED DAIRY/LIVESTOCK - BUSINESS START-UP AND MARKETING

FISC 72

Students will learn production and management strategies emphasizing pasture-based dairy or livestock farm start-up. Students will begin a business plan in this introductory course as the first of the two-course series. There will be one full-day required field trip. This course is held in conjunction with, and serves as the core of, the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF).

MEAT ANIMAL PRODUCTION I

FISC 101

In this course, students will be focusing on the ruminant livestock production systems. Students will evaluate and design the implementation of foundational principles in beef cattle, sheep and goat production. Through the connecting of production system to market costs and revenues, students will gain an in-depth understanding of meat animal livestock production. Students will have hands-on experiences in beef cattle, sheep and goat management.

PASTURE MANAGEMENT

FISC 71

This course covers pasture establishment, pasture improvement and pasture plant growth. Students will also learn about the in- depth topics of pasture layouts, fencing and water systems, animal behavior on pastures, general pasture utilization and animal nutrient needs on pasture, including supplemental feeding.

AGRIBUSINESS FEASIBILITY PLANNING

FISC 115

Accounting, budgeting and communication skills are necessary to develop and evaluate farm business plans. Students are introduced to computerized farm accounting and will develop skills with modern electronic spreadsheets and FINPACK while developing a case farm feasibility assignment.