Farm Business Management Programs
PRO-DAIRY Farm Business Management Programs are designed to positively influence dairy business management skills through financial analysis programs, management education programs, group discussions, business management presentations and network building. These efforts help enhance dairy business’ financial success.
Recent Resources
Lean Management Website Series
As farm managers strive to utilize labor and other inputs more efficiently, Lean Management offers a framework to design production processes that minimize waste and disruptions without sacrificing safety or quality. Over time, managers who adopt Lean systems can shift the entire culture of their organization to enhance employee engagement and productivity. This website offers an overview of Lean Management for an agricultural audience and provides guidance to implement Lean principles and practices within your own farming operation.
Explore Lean Management
Dairy Farm Business Summary & Analysis Program
60 years of experience
The Dairy Farm Business Summary & Analysis Program is housed in Cornell’s Department of Applied Economics and Management. It is a 60-year-old program, directed by Dr. Wayne Knoblauch and administered through PRO-DAIRY, that uses on-farm data over time to drive programming.
Farmers report their annual performance over a web-based system housed at Cornell and receive business analysis reports and comparisons for their dairy. Participants use the individualized information to monitor their performance from year-to-year and to benchmark their performance against other dairies. PRO-DAIRY plays a central role in collecting, analyzing and disseminating data.

Dairy Profit Monitor
Timely and Concise Data
Dairy Profit Monitor was a natural next step from DFBS. It is an online business trend analysis tool that provides a monthly snapshot of key operating parameters and farm-level efficiencies. It provides a means for farms to monitor their businesses in a more timely manner. Farmers can create customizable benchmark reports to track progress and trends, assess the impacts of management changes and highlight areas for improvement.
Over 100 farms, representing nearly 125,000 cows, use this tool each year.

Business Management Training
Farm Business Management Education
PRO-DAIRY management education programs prepare dairy executives to succeed in an ever-changing and ever-growing field.

Cornell Dairy Executive Program
Cornell Dairy Executive Program is a multi-session executive level management training program to improve business management skills over two one-week programs in a year. CDEP offers dairy producers and managers in related agribusiness opportunities to develop and strengthen skills in business management and leadership.
Academy for Dairy Executives
Academy for Dairy Executives was started in 2010 and targets the next generation of farm management and ownership. Curriculum includes “Managing with Finance” and “Managing with Success” topics and learning by networking with other participants in similar roles. Typically participants are the junior generation who return home to more effectively communicate and coordinate with senior farm owners.
Cornell Dairy Executive Program Management Symposium
Offers a continuing education to Cornell Dairy Executive Program alumni and other progressive dairy producers on key business management topics facing the industry. Topics range and have included milk pricing, joint ventures and collaboration, activity management, and servant leadership. Attendance is typically up to 100 people, representing up to 100,000 cows.
Business Resources
Fact Sheets, Trend Analyses, Cost Calculators, and More
PRO-DAIRY staff develop key monthly data monitoring programs, cost center activity analysis programs, and facilitates multiple business discussion groups centered on financial and business performance and employee management across the dairy business.

Contact Our Team
- (607) 255-8667
- leh99 [at] cornell.edu
- (607) 255-3809
- jk57 [at] cornell.edu

Farm Business Management Specialist
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Farm Business Management Specialist
PRO-DAIRY
- mkw87 [at] cornell.edu
Extension Support
PRO-DAIRY
Animal Science
- bp356 [at] cornell.edu