MILK MONEY NEWS
April 16, 2007

Milk Money - a team-based program
for improving milk quality and profitability on Wisconsin Dairies

In This Issue...

Wisconsin's Milk Quality:
A Comparison

Visit Us on the Web

Milk Quality

Dirty udders contribute to Mastitis. How does udder hygiene on your dairy score?

UW Dairy Science
Resources at the University of Wisconsin's Dairy Science Department
Center for Dairy Profitability
Information to enhance your dairy's profitability
Valuable Links
Ag Source
Reporting, Analysis and Educational Center
National Mastitis Council
Information on udder health, milking management and milk quality
Tools
Resources to assist in mastitis and parlor management
Stop and Visit

 

Milk Money in Action

This month we will put a face to a Milk Money Team in Action. We on the team hear versions of this story often. For those of you who haven't participated directly in a Milk Money Team, however, this will provide a view of the team process from the producer's point of view.

"Bart and Sara Sopa of Portage County believe they have found an answer to achieving the goal of more money in their pocket - and they think other producers should follow their example." Read the Sopa's Milk Money Story."

Milk Money Data

Data collected on Milk Money teams does far more than measure a Wisconsin's farm's progress in improvingGlobe their milk quality.

Data collected from each team is stored in a database. This database is an accumulation of "real life" milk production data that can be analyzed and utilized for educational articles and presentations.

Much of that data forms the basis for articles that can be found on the Milk Quality web site. From there the information is used around the world. Currently the Milk Quality web site averages over 7,500 hits per month with articles reaching Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Peru, Spain, India, Italy, Japan, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands among other countries.

The Milk Money program was developed as a support for Wisconsin's dairy producers. The Milk Money program provides leadership to milk quality throughout the world.

A Facilitation Moment from Ken Bolton

Facilitating a team to consensus requires time and patience. Consensus can be tricky, but it is always worth the effort. When it’s not, a consensus has not been reached. Effective teams learn that group decisions are almost always an improvement over the individual points of view team members held before becoming active in the group. Here are some guidelines:

  1. Avoid arguing for your view. State your case clearly and concisely, and then listen and carefully consider comments and other options discussed.
  2. Don’t surrender to the win/lose option when the group is stuck. Make a real effort to find the next most acceptable alternative for all concerned.
  3. Don’t be wishy-washy and change your mind just to avoid conflict. Yield only to positions that are genuinely better than yours. If agreement comes too easily, be suspicious. Make sure everyone’s reason for accepting the solution is similar.
  4. Don’t avoid conflict by using binding votes, flipping a coin, or cutting deals: “I’ll give in on this point if you’ll give in on that.” Consensus isn’t compromise.

Milk Money Forms

The latest version of Milk Money Team forms are now available on line. Please use the forms found here with any new team that is formed.

Notice that there are some new offerings for producers on the Registration Form, including up to 20 Individual Cow Cultures.

Thanks.

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This newsletter is brought to you by the Milk Quality Team and the Milk Money program in the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin, through the support of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.