<b>By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Dairy producers can learn how to develop cost-effective strategies for feeding dairy cattle in the face of rising feed prices during a series of workshops offered by the Michigan State University Extension Dairy Team.</p><p>
“We all know that feed prices are up and milk prices are up, too,” said Phil Durst, MSU extension dairy educator in northeastern Michigan. “But, sometimes when milk prices are up, we get a little lax with being cost-conscious. If we don’t use this opportunity to increase our margins, we miss the opportunity for increased margins.”</p><p>
The workshops will focus on the causes and impact of high feed prices, feed price projections, feeding byproducts, the economics of milk replacer and using partial budgets as a financial tool.</p><p>
“We need to look at alternatives, evaluate alternatives and evaluate how they fit in,” Durst said. “Some alternatives may be alternative feeds, alternative feed strategies and whether it’s beneficial to grow or have someone else grow your feed.”</p><p>
Another feature of the workshops will include a panel of producers on hand at each location to discuss their management experiences.</p><p>
“These are real farmers talking about something they have been doing to control feed prices and feed their herd effectively,” Durst said.</p><p>
The workshops will conclude with a session on evaluating farm management decisions related to increased feed costs.</p><p>
Workshops are scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as follows:<br>
•Jan. 22 at the Radisson Hotel, Grand Rapids<br>
•Jan. 23 at the Dearth Center at the Branch County Fairgrounds, Coldwater<br>
•Jan. 24 at the Forward’s Conference Center/Quality Inn, West Branch<br>
•Jan. 29 at the Wildwood Restaurant, Hermansville<br>
•Jan. 30 at Alpena Community College, Alpena<br>
•Jan. 31 at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Cadillac<br>
•Feb. 12 at the Ubly Heights Country Club, Ubly<br>
•Feb. 13 at the Gratiot-Isabella RESD Building, Ithaca<br>
•Feb. 14 at the Community Room at the Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason<br>
The cost of each event is $30 for the first person and $20 for each additional person from the same farm or agribusiness. The fee includes lunch, a resource book and materials. Registration should be received seven days prior to each workshop. For a registration brochure, contact any county MSU extension office or visit the MSU Extension Dairy Team website at www.dairyteam.msu.edu<br>
The workshop is sponsored by the MSU Extension Dairy Area of Expertise Team and the Farm Information Resource Management Team.