Introduction to the economics of pasture-based dairying (2011)

The following series of minimalist, pasture-based dairy model farms (75-cow, 150-cow, 300-cow and 600-cow) was developed to help dairy producers understand the economics of these dairy systems. Each model is customized to reflect an operational system typical of a dairy farm and herd of four different sizes. These models were developed using assumptions, costs and benchmarking information from existing Missouri pasture-based dairies and from experts in the dairy industry. Data presented here reflect costs and conditions as of October 2010. While these farms were customized specific to Missouri, they could be adapted to conditions elsewhere