Increasing pressures to address air and water quality impacts are affecting dairy producers everywhere. Simultaneously dairy producers must also provide milk and milk products to a growing population.
Urbanization and sprawl has driven land values up in many areas and owning enough land to dispose of manure in an environmentally responsible manner is increasingly challenging. Composting is a manure management tool that can help dairy producers reduce pollution and manage nutrients.
Composting is controlled decomposition, the natural breakdown of organic residues. Composting is most commonly an aerobic process, that is, the biological breakdown of the materials takes place in the presence of oxygen (air). The main byproducts of the breakdown are carbon dioxide, water and heat.
There are several benefits to composting, it can improve soil fertility, extend fertilizers, save water, suppress plant diseases, and boost soil tilth. Composting manures can improve manure handling and help to reduce the environmental impacts.
In many ways, composting is a natural fit for farmers. Ideally, the basics required for compost are readily available on the farm: feedstocks to be composted, such as livestock manure or crop residues; readily available bulking materials to thicken feedstocks, such as sawdust; and air, water, space and time. Click here to read more...

By Mike Wetter, Consultant, Mike Wetter and Associates
Happy customers are the most important key to success. They will return, and they will tell their friends about your operation. Learn their names. Remember what they like and have it ready for them. Keep a database if you can’t keep it all in your head. The little touches make all the differences.
Develop a mailing list. Get names from outdoor magazines, associations, and other sources of people that like outdoor activities. Your mailing list is your most important asset. Mail to your customers at least twice a year.
People don’t come to hunt or fish or ride a horse or tractor. They come to have fun and relax. You are in the hospitality business, take care of your customers and you will succeed. Always ask your customers what they liked about their stay and what could be improved.
Cater to as “high end” a customer as you can and don’t be afraid to charge for your service. This is not a volume business, so you can’t go low-end and make money. If you target people with money and charge more for your service, people will expect more from you. You don’t have to be “upscale”, but you do need to offer a quality experience.
Take care of details. Make sure that your telephone is answered professionally (“Anderson Ranch” rather than “hello”). Your answering machine should have a professional message. Return calls promptly.
Let your neighbors know about you. Join the Chamber of Commerce, talk to gas station owners, cafes, Elk clubs, motels, and neighboring farms. Give people your brochure and make sure that people in your area know about you. Start close to home at first and move out gradually.

World Ag Expo Introduces Top Five New Dairy Products of the Year
This year, World Ag Expo has selected the Top Five New Dairy Products of 2008. These top five products were chosen to be the newest and most innovative by a panel of industry professionals and dairymen. These products will be displayed at the 2008 World Ag Expo February 12th – 14th.
They will be housed in the new Dairy Technology Center (DTC), presented by Bella Health Systems; a 140×160-foot indoor canvas covered structure devoted to dairy exhibits.
“Dairy production leads California’s agricultural market and is a strong component of the state’s and nation’s economy. World Ag Expo leadership prides itself in bringing exhibitors and producers together to make their operations more profitable and efficient. These Top Five products demonstrate this leading technology,” said Shelley Khal, 2008 World Ag Expo chairman.
Attendees can view the Top Five New Dairy Products and speak with exhibiting companies in the Dairy Technology Center on Expo Lane between R and S Street.