Dairy

 

 

Arizona Resources

Colorado Resources

New Mexico Resources

Utah Resources

Regional Resources

Organizations Involved in Dairy Marketing

Direct Marketing Dairy Products

Alternative Dairy Products

Cheese Making Resources

Cow Based Dairy Operations

Grass Based Dairying

Case Studies and Success Stories

Funding Resources

 

 

*Each resource within the Four Corners region will be marked with an asterisk

 

See also:

 

 

Arizona Resources

 

*Arizona Department of Agriculture: Animal Services Department

This is the directory of programs and offices in the Arizona Department of Agriculture that relate to animal services. Programs and office links on this page include; the state veterinarian, meat and poultry inspection, livestock hauling permits, brand records, and cruelty to animal statutes.

http://www.azda.gov/ASD/asd.htm

 

*Arizona Ranchers’ Management Guide

University of Arizona, 2001. This newly updated guide contains extension-developed information on a wide range of issues related to Arizona ranch management, including information on production, policy, and economic issues.

http://ag.arizona.edu/arec/pubs/rmg/ranchers.html

 

*Linking Arizona’s Sense of Place to a Sense of Taste: Marketing the Heritage Value of Arizona’s Place-Based Foods

This publication looks specifically at the traditional and native foods unique to Arizona. This book not only tells the historical story of Arizona’s heritage foods; it examines the role these foods can play in a modern era.

http://www.environment.nau.edu/publications/AZHeritageFoods.htm

 

*Slow Food Phoenix

Slow Food Phoenix is part of the international movement of people dedicated to protecting taste, culture and the environment. Phoenix Convivium members range from professional chefs to home cooks who enjoy the philosophy and the food of the Slow Food Movement.

http://www.slowfoodphoenix.org/

 

*Alta Arizona Slow Food Chapter

Gay Chanler

2912 N. Creekside Dr.

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(928) 226-2891

altaazslowfood@yahoo.com

 

Colorado Resources

 

*Colorado Chapters of the Slow Food Movement

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

This site lists the various Slow Food chapters in Colorado.

http://www.slowfoodutah.org/main_rockyMtnRegionalConvivia.html#co

 

*Colorado Alternative Livestock Industry Contacts

This contact list has been prepared by the CO Department of Agriculture, Division of Markets. The livestock contact list includes information for alternative livestock producers, beef and dairy cattle, horse, sheep, and swine producers.

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Agriculture-Main%2FCDAGLayout&cid=1167928163382&p=1167928163382&pagename=CDAGWrapper#Industry%20Contacts

 

* 2008 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory

The 2008 Farm Fresh Directory is now being compiled. Forms to be listed in the directory are available on the main page of: www.coloradoagriculture.com. The link below will take you to the 2007 directory. The farm and farmers' markets in the directory feature the highest quality, Colorado-grown produce. Inside you will also find information about county fairs, agricultural festivals, extension offices as well as a crop calendar.

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D743%2F501%2FFarmFreshforweb.pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3B+charset%3DUTF-8&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1191378605612&ssbinary=true

 

*Colorado State University Extension: Livestock Fact Sheets

The numerous fact sheets on the CSU extension site fall under the three topics of livestock management, health and judging.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/livestk/publive.html

 

*Rocky Mountain Farmers Union: Raw Milk Association of Colorado

The RMAC recently received a grant that will allow them to launch an educational campaign to promote raw milk production and expand membership. The campaign will emphasize the need for standards to protect the industry and consumer health.

http://www.rmfu.org/2007/06/26/rmfu-raw-milk-association-win-grant/

 

New Mexico Resources

 

*New Mexico Department of Agriculture: Dairy Information Page

This webpage gives information about all aspects of dairy inspection for the state of New Mexico.

http://nmdaweb.nmsu.edu/inspections/Dairy.html

 

*New Mexico State University Dairy Extension Program

The mission of the NM State University Dairy Extension Program is to provide information, technology, and sound science to the dairy industry in New Mexico. This website has numerous publications related to dairy production.

http://cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/dairy/index.html

 

*New Mexico: Taste the Tradition Program

The NEW MEXICO—Taste the Tradition® and NEW MEXICO—Grown with Tradition® Logo Program was developed by NMDA in 2000 in efforts to help identify and promote all New Mexico agricultural products (food, fiber, wine, produce, nuts, nursery products, and livestock) through the use of one, easily recognizable logo.

http://nmdaweb.nmsu.edu/marketing-and-economic-development/New%20Mexico%20Taste%20the%20Tradition%20and%20New%20Mexico%20Grown%20with%20Tradition.html

 

*Slow Food Rio Grande

This is the website for the Slow Food's Rio Grande Convivium, representing the middle Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico.

http://www.slowfoodriogrande.org/

 

Utah Resources

 

*State of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food: Livestock Services

This is a comprehensive list of livestock services provided by the UDAF.

http://ag.utah.gov/services.html#livestock

 

*Utah Livestock Producer Directory

This is a directory put together by the State of Utah Department of Agriculture.

http://ag.utah.gov/marketing/LivestockDirectory.pdf

 

*Utah Slow Food Chapter

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

This site has the contact information for the Slow Food chapter in Utah as well as projects they are involved in.

http://www.slowfoodutah.org/main_rockyMtnRegionalConvivia.html

 

*Utah State University Extension: Livestock Concerns

This webpage has information about small acreage animal production in Utah. Topics include information about pasture management and parasite control.

http://extension.usu.edu/smac/htm/animals

 

Regional Resources

 

Fresh, Organic and Native Foods of the Four Corners: A Directory of Eco-Regional Food Sustainability

Over 150 local food growers, ranchers, and organizations from the Four Corners region are listed in Fresh, Organic and Native Foods of the Four Corners: A Directory of Eco-Regional Food Sustainability. This guide highlights dairy producers in the four corners.

http://www.environment.nau.edu/food/FoodDirectory/Select.asp

 

Organizations Involved in Dairy Marketing

 

Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA: Livestock Marketing

This website has information about the programs and publications related to livestock marketing of the AMS.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/

 

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 150 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Included are asses, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Founded in 1977, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is the pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock.

http://www.albc-usa.org/

 

Dairy Business Innovation Center

The Dairy Business Innovation Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing specialty and artisan dairy businesses.

http://www.dbicusa.org/

 

Direct Marketing Dairy Products

 

ATTRA Livestock Publications

The resources offered here deal with sustainable livestock production literally from the ground up. Pasture management, feeds and forages are covered by several publications, while others address care and management for specific animals and marketing of the products derived from them.

http://attra.ncat.org/livestock.html

 

The Economics of Grass-Based Dairying

This publication discusses economics of dairies, land requirements for grazing dairies, supplemental feed, seasonal dairies, labor and profitability.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ecodairy.html

 

Everything is Marketing
This PowerPoint presentation by the Dairy Business Innovation Center Team Member demonstrates why understanding marketing, pricing and distribution is key to a profitable business. Part 1: Distribution,the Never Ending Challenge, then view Part 2: Managing the Chain of Distribution and finally, Part 3: Strategies for Pricing. (PDF files)

 

Keys to Success in Value-Added Agriculture

This publication presents, largely in the farmers' own words, important lessons they learned in adding value to their farm products and marketing directly to consumers. The keys to their success in value-added agriculture include high quality, good record-keeping, planning and evaluation, perseverance, focus, and building long-term relationships with customers.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/keystosuccess.html

 

*Marketing Your Farm or Ranch

This is a brief publication that discusses effective agricultural marketing approaches.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/farmmgt/03763.html

 

National Agricultural Library: Articles on Animals and Livestock

This list compiled by the National Agricultural Library has articles on various aspects of animal health and livestock management.

http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=8&tax_level=1&tax_subject=10

 

NCAT’s Organic Livestock Workbook

This workbook has been created to assist organic and transitional producers with livestock or mixed crop and livestock operations in understanding the range of practices and materials allowed under the National Organic Program Regulations. Particular emphasis is placed on farming strategies and practices that promote sustainability.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/livestockworkbook.html

 

Resources to Grow Value Added Dairy Business

This power point presentation, developed by the Dairy Business Innovation Center, helps outlines financial resources - including grants, loans and in-kind services - available to the dairy industry.

http://www.dbicusa.org/resources/resourcestogrowwivalueaddeddairy1.pdf

 

The Small Dairy Resource Book

Intended for family farmers who want to produce value-added dairy products, The Small Dairy Resource Book evaluates books, periodicals, videos and other materials on farmstead dairy processing in a thorough, annotated bibliography. http://www.sare.org/publications/dairyresource.htm

 

Working with Retail Buyers

This report provides background information for farmers who are considering selling their products through retail stores. It may also help farmers already working with retail buyers improve their business opportunities. Brokers or representatives of farmers’ marketing cooperatives will find this report helps build strong relationships with retail buyers.

http://www.dbicusa.org/resources/retailbuyers.pdf

 

Alternative Dairy Products

 

Dairy Farm Sustainability Checklist

This check sheet is designed to stimulate critical thinking in planning a farm on which a primary enterprise is milk production. This relates to all dairy species: cattle, goats, and sheep.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/dairychecksheet.pdf

 

Dairy Goats: Sustainable Production

This publication is intended for those interested in starting a commercial goat dairy. It discusses the five major considerations to be addressed in planning for dairy goat production: labor, sales and marketing, processing, regulations, and budgeting and economics.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/dairygoats.html

 

Dairy Sheep

This is an ATTRA publication that explores the dairy sheep business and helps producers decide whether it is a viable option for their farms. Regulations governing the industry are discussed. Also addressed are production issues, animal health, stock selection, and nutrition issues surrounding dairy sheep.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/dairysheep.pdf

 

National Goat Handbook

This is an extremely knowledgeable resource book from the University of Maryland for raising goats.

http://outlands.tripod.com/farm/national_goat_handbook.pdf

 

NCAT’s Organic Livestock Workbook

This workbook has been created to assist organic and transitional producers with livestock or mixed crop and livestock operations in understanding the range of practices and materials allowed under the National Organic Program Regulations. Particular emphasis is placed on farming strategies and practices that promote sustainability.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/livestockworkbook.html

 

Small Ruminant Sustainability Checklist

This check sheet is designed to stimulate critical thinking when evaluating a farm that produces sheep or goats. The sustainability of a farm depends on many factors involving farm management, use of resources, and quality of life.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ruminantcheck.html

 

Cheese Making Resources

 

Dairy Business Innovation Center

The Dairy Business Innovation Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing specialty and artisan dairy businesses.

http://www.dbicusa.org/

 

Value-Added Dairy Options

Dairy farmers can add value to their milk by processing and marketing their own cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, and bottled milk. This publication discusses regulations and organic certification for milk, and offers resources for further information.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/valueaddeddairy.html

 

Cow Based Dairy Operations

 

Dairy Beef

Dairy beef is an opportunity to diversify operations and boost income, especially when production is pasture-based. This ATTRA publication discusses production, finishing, niche markets and direct marketing, as well as a profitability analysis.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/dairybeef.html

 

Dairy Farm Sustainability Checklist

This check sheet is designed to stimulate critical thinking in planning a farm on which a primary enterprise is milk production. This relates to all dairy species: cattle, goats, and sheep.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/dairychecksheet.pdf

 

Value-Added Dairy Options

Dairy farmers can add value to their milk by processing and marketing their own cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, and bottled milk. This publication discusses regulations and organic certification for milk, and offers resources for further information.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/valueaddeddairy.html

 

Grass Based Dairying

 

*Arizona Ranchers’ Management Guide, Section One: Rangeland Management

This newly updated guide contains extension-developed information on a wide range of issues related to Arizona ranch management, including information on production, policy, and economic issues.

http://ag.arizona.edu/arec/pubs/rmg/ranchers.html

 

The Economics of Grass-Based Dairying

This publication discusses economics of dairies, land requirements for grazing dairies, supplemental feed, seasonal dairies, labor and profitability.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ecodairy.html

 

Grass-Based and Seasonal Dairying

Grass-based dairies differ from confinement dairies because cows harvest their own feed, reducing the need for costly supplemental feed and other purchased supplies. Seasonal operations have increased challenges in breeding all cows in a short period and in planning for loss of income during the off season.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/gbdairy.html

 

NCAT’s Organic Livestock Workbook

This workbook has been created to assist organic and transitional producers with livestock or mixed crop and livestock operations in understanding the range of practices and materials allowed under the National Organic Program Regulations. Particular emphasis is placed on farming strategies and practices that promote sustainability.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/livestockworkbook.html

 

Rangeland Management Strategies

This publication features innovative SARE-funded research on creating and sustaining a healthy range. Throughout, researchers and ranchers share goals and successes in winter and multi-species grazing, managing forage and other vegetation and protecting riparian areas.

http://www.sare.org/publications/rangeland.htm

 

Rotational Grazing: Livestock Systems Guide

This ATTRA publication explains the economic and environmental benefits of rotational grazing of ruminants.

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/rotategr.html

 

Case Studies and Success Stories

 

Artisanal Premium Cheese: Cheese Resources

This webpage has links to numerous smaller artisanal cheese operations around the country. The links to various dairy operations are inspirational in that they show what is possible within the world of artisan cheeses.

http://www.artisanalcheese.com/products.asp?dept=1027

 

Funding Resources

 

Resources to Grow Value Added Dairy Business

This power point presentation, developed by the Dairy Business Innovation Center, helps outlines financial resources - including grants, loans and in-kind services - available to the dairy industry.

http://www.dbicusa.org/resources/resourcestogrowwivalueaddeddairy1.pdf

 

See also:

  • Financing for general resources to help fund agricultural marketing ventures.