Dairy Farm Business Summary, Western and Central Plateau Region, 2004

E.B. 2005-09Dairy farm managers throughout New York State have been participating in Cornell Cooperative Extension's farm business summary and analysis program since the early 1950's. Managers of each participating farm business receive a comprehensive summary and analysis of their farm business. The information in this report represents averages of the data submitted from dairy farms in the Western and Central Plateau Region for 2004. Program Objective The primary objective of the dairy farm business summary, DFBS, is to help farm managers improve the business and financial management of their business through appropriate use of historical data and the application of modern farm business analysis techniques. This information can also be used to establish goals that enable the business to better fulfill its mission. In short, DFBS provides business and financial information needed in identifying and evaluating strengths and weaknesses of the farm business. Format Features This regional report follows the same general format as the 2004 DFBS individual farm report received by participating dairy farmers. The analysis tables have an open column or section labeled My Farm. It may be used by any dairy farm manager who wants to compare his or her business with the average data of this region. The individual farm data, the regional averages and other data can then be used to establish goals for the business. Non-DFBS participants can download a DFBS Data Check-In Form at http://dfbs.cornell.edu. After collecting the data on the form, it can be entered in the U. S. Top Dairies business summary program at the same web site to obtain a summary of their business