Below is an outline of the online course. The course is divided into three terms, and under each term there are several topics. Each topic has its own web page which includes background information on the speaker and topic, a video of the speaker’s presentation, a PDF of the speaker’s presentation, and links to additional information and useful resources related to the topic. For students who want to receive a certificate of completion, each term ends with an exam that can be completed online and submitted to the instructors for review. In addition to the terms and topics outlined below, the course also includes the option for students to develop a business plan using tools, templates, and tips provided by WSBDF. Students can discuss their business plans with WSBDF instructors, and all submitted business plans will be reviewed by our staff and returned with comments and suggestions. Additional information about the course is available here, and interested students can register here.
Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar Outline
Term I – Business Startup
Topic 1 – Principles and Opportunities for Starting a Dairy or Livestock Business
Presenter: Dick Cates, UW-Madison CIAS/Dept. Soil Science; Beef Steer and Diary Heifer grazier
Topic 2 – Successful Dairy Farm Startup
Presenter: Gary and Holly Stankowski, Dairy Farmers, Mosinee, WI
Topic 3 – Setting Realistic Goals for your Start-up Farm Business
Presenter: Tom Cadwallader, retired UW-Extension Agent for Lincoln and Marathon Counties, Sheep Grazier, and current financial consultant for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program
Topic 4 – The GrassWorks Inc Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program
Presenter: Joe Tomandl, Dairy Grazier, Medford, WI and Executive Director of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program
Topic 5 – Sheep Production and Marketing
Presenter: Gene Schriefer, UW-Extension Agriculture Agent for Iowa County and Sheep Grazier
Topic 6 – Basics of Goat Business Startups
Presenter: Larry Hedrich, Dairy Goat Farmer, Chilton, WI
Topic 7 – Feeding the Dairy Cow on Pasture: Part 1
Presenter: Bert Paris, Dairy Grazier, Belleville, WI
Topic 8 – Feeding the Dairy Cow on Pasture: Part 2
Presenter: Rhonda Gildersleeve, UW Extension Grazing Specialist
Topic 9 – Farm Selection and Grazing System Layout
Presenter: Paul Daigle, Conservation Specialist, Marathon County Land Conservation Department
Topic 10 – Stray Voltage and Infrastructure Considerations
Presenters: Jason Kollwelter, Agricultural Program Manager, and Chuck De Nardo, Principle Engineer, We Energies
Topic 11 – Pasture-Based Beef Production
Presenter: Dan Schaefer, Professor and Dept. Chair, Animal Science, UW-Madison
Topic 12 – Niche Markets for Beef
Presenter: Jim Munsch, Financial Consultant and Beef Grazier, Coon Valley, WI
Term I Exam
Term II – Developing a Business Plan
Topic 1 – USDA FSA Beginning Farmer Loan Opportunities
Presenter: Dan O’Brian, Farm Loan Officer, USDA Farm Service Agency, Monroe, WI
Topic 2 – Farm Startup Financial Record Keeping
Presenter: Sarah Mumm, Dairy Farmer, Lancaster, WI
Topic 3 – Farmer-driven Marketing Strategies: Local and Grass-fed
Presenter: Lois Federman, Director, Something Special from Wisconsin Program, and Direct- Market Beef Producer, Mineral Point, WI
Topic 4 – Locker Plant Logistics
Presenter: Tim Rehbein, Owner, Driftless Meats and More, Viroqua, WI
Topic 5 – Shifting Gears: Managing Agriculture’s New Realities
Presenter: Dan Smith, Division Administrator, Division of Agricultural Development, DATCP, Madison, WI
Topic 6 – Farm Business Start-up Lessons Learned
Presenter: Andy Jaworski, Dairy Grazier, Green Bay, WI
Term II Exam
Term III – Managing the Business
Topic 1 – Low Cost Milking Parlor Design Part 1
Presenter: Vance Haugen, UW Extension – Crawford County and Dairy Grazier, Canton, MN
Topic 2 – Low Cost Milking Parlor Design Part 2
Presenters: Roger Dahlberg and Suzy Konicheck, Dairy Graziers, Seneca, WI
Topic 3 – Livestock Health and Treating Disease in Organic Systems
Presenter: Sarah Slaby, DVM, Slaby’s Veterinary Services, Arcadia, WI
Topic 4 – Principles of Organic Dairying and Herd Health from a Farmer’s Perspective
Presenter: Samantha Frei, Organic Dairy Graziers, Mineral Point, WI
Topic 5 – Pasture and Soil Nutrient Management
Presenter: Francisco Arriaga, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, UW-Madison
Topic 6 – Grazing and Natural Resource Management
Presenter: Dave Vetrano, WI Department of Natural Resources Basin fisheries manager, Professor Emeritus, La Crosse
Topic 7 – Emerging Markets and Value Added Food Products
Presenters: Leslie and David Meuer, Owners, Meuer Farms LLC
Topic 8 – Ecological Restoration with Livestock
Presenter: Cherrie Nolden, Agroecology M.S. Candidate and Farmer, Prairie du Sac, WI
Topic 9 – Bringing it All Together
Presenters: Ryan and Cherri Klussendorf, Dairy Graziers, Medford, WI
Term III Exam
