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

FISC 121

This course focuses on the farm and its marketing environment and provides an overview of the economics of grain and milk markets. The course concentrates on developing skills for effective grain and dairy marketing analysis and strategies. It examines forward contracting, hedging on futures markets, delayed pricing and options trading. It will also examine farm policies and the impact on farms. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the commodity and futures markets, major trends and causes of trends in dairy and grain industries, market factors that influence farm commodities, risk tools and cooperatives.

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.

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.

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.

FISC 73

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.