By Blake Jackson
Investing in the future success of your dairy business requires a solid grasp of farm financials and their impact on both short-term profitability and long-term sustainability.
The 2024-25 PDP Financial Literacy for Dairy program offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen these skills. With registration deadlines approaching, this program offers two tailored levels of training, delivered by highly respected dairy financial experts.
Level One is structured over four days, split into two sessions on November 12-13 and December 4-5, 2024. All participants must complete an online assessment prior to November 7 to ensure they are placed in the correct course level.
The sessions will be held at the PDP headquarters in Juneau, Wisconsin, with each class capped at 30 participants. Designed for dairy farmers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and other agribusiness professionals, these sessions provide hands-on skills that can be immediately applied to their businesses.
The Level One course covers key financial concepts, such as goal setting, accrual adjustments, balance sheet principles for all entities, and cash income statements.
Participants will leave the sessions equipped with practical tools for measuring profitability and managing financial operations.
Level Two is designed for those who successfully complete Level One or test into this advanced course. Beginning in January 2025, it offers six days of training spread across three sessions:
January 22-23, February 5-6, and February 26-27, 2025. This level dives deeper into comprehensive financial tools and reporting methods.
Both courses are taught by experts in the dairy financial field. Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, a professor of agribusiness at UW-Platteville and Farm Management Specialist with UW-Extension, and David Coggins, a retired agricultural loan officer and senior financial leader, lead the program.
Participants may also be eligible for financial assistance through the "Count on Us" program, which offers full or partial scholarships.
A variety of agricultural partners, including AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Compeer Financial, Nicolet Bank, and others, provide support to registrants.
To register or find more information, visit www.pdpw.org or contact PDP on 800-947-7379. Participants will receive an email with a placement test link after registration to confirm their course level.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vwalakte
Categories: Wisconsin, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle