Released Dec. 12, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- What are the most important issues facing the Michigan dairy industry today and over the next five or 10 years? Are there opportunities for producers to become more profitable, more efficient or more state-of-the art? Are there challenges peering around the corner that could mean the difference between managing a successful business one day and facing seemingly insurmountable hurdles the next? To help answer these questions, the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Dairy Area of Expertise (AoE) Team is asking Michigan dairy producers and dairy industry professionals to identify the most important challenges and opportunities facing their industry over the coming years.
Survey results will be compiled to prioritize dairy education programming offered by MSU Extension and funding directives for research projects supported through the Animal Agriculture Initiative at MSU. The last statewide industry survey was conducted in 1997.
“As the dairy industry continues to evolve, it becomes more important than ever to stay current on industry trends, challenges and opportunities,” says Dean Ross, MSU Extension dairy educator. “Producer and industry input is vital to helping MSU Extension focus its limited resources on the programming efforts and issues that most directly affect producers, communities, agribusinesses and the future sustainability of the state’s dairy industry.
“We’re here to work together with the state’s dairy farmers to identify and put into practice strategies to maximize their short- and long-term profitability, and no one knows better than producers what challenges they face day after day,” he adds. “MSU Extension will rely on the producer-driven input we collect to frame our programming in response to these needs.”
The survey will be mailed during the first two weeks of February to dairy producers, dairy farm employees, and agribusinesses and industry-related professionals including veterinarians, feed representatives, artificial insemination suppliers and consultants. Recipients are asked to complete and return the survey in the accompanying self-addressed and stamped envelope by Feb. 29.
In addition to MSU Extension, additional funding support for the 2008 Michigan dairy industry survey is being provided by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Greenstone Farm Credit Services and the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA).
The MSU Extension Dairy AoE Team is made up of MSU faculty members and Extension field staff educators charged with serving the outreach and research needs of the Michigan dairy industry.
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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/120107/121207_dairysurvey.htm
Contact: Sara Long, (517) 432-1555, ext. 170
