http://www.agweb.com/blogs/ Financial management experts, lenders and accountants share ways for dairy producers to improve money and credit management. Look for help on budgets, taxes, loans, financial performance and even bankruptcy. AgWeb.comhttp://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/dairymen_should_be_proactive_concerning_possible_loan_default_notices/In the first article of our new “Fiscal Fitness” column, attorney Riley Walter helps producers look for ways to gain the knowledge and power they need to address a default notice.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 09 Jan 2012 10:45:00 GMT25654http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/is_the_money_really_lost/Think of your dairy's risk management plan as a way to minimize volatility, not gain or lose money. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 23 Jan 2012 10:59:00 GMT25816http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/manage_your_counterparty_risk/Whether it involves a heifer grower or a corn silage supplier, assessing and managing your risk with the party on the other end of a contract gives you a better chance of minimizing potential problems.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 06 Feb 2012 04:39:00 GMT25949http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/are_your_finances_progressive_enough_to_survive_a_tough_market/The new requirements pushed on dairymen are abnormal business practices for dairies but standard for all other industries. Dairy operators need to implement these tools into permanent practice. They are invaluable.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSun, 26 Feb 2012 15:40:00 GMT26167http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/inside_the_banker’s_mind/Efficient management is key to surviving the dairy business, advises Rabobank.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 05 Mar 2012 04:27:00 GMT26236http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/financial_fitness_is_a_must/Taking care of cows and growing feed remains important. But the other essential part of the business today is understanding the numbers that drive the dairy.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 19 Mar 2012 04:16:00 GMT26370http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/count_your_heifer-raising_costs_as_part_of_your_dairy’s_cost_of_production/Replacement costs are not often considered as drivers of the cost of production. However, in some dairies, replacement costs are greater than labor expenses. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessThu, 29 Mar 2012 16:38:00 GMT26500http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/keep_your_lender_in_the_loop_to_stay_ahead_of_the_game/Financial communication with your lender is critical as the dairy industry heads into a possible period of red ink. It makes a huge difference in how your lender can help you.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 16 Apr 2012 04:14:00 GMT26646http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/caught_unaware_observations_from_the_recent_crisis/Five eye-openers about legal structures, liens, tax consequences and property ownership from an attorney who’s seen them firsthand among dairy producers.​Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 30 Apr 2012 04:46:00 GMT26767http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/smart_money_management_accept_the_“business”_of_dairy/Why do many dairymen keep poor money management records? Accurate, timely financial records will improve your monetary rewards and ease your worrying. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 11 May 2012 16:06:00 GMT26961http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/how_to_think_like_a_ceo/A leader who views his or her farm holistically creates a culture that drives financial success. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessThu, 24 May 2012 18:29:00 GMT27085http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/expand_your_thinking,_expand_your_business/Growing your dairy might mean transitioning your management style.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 08 Jun 2012 18:39:00 GMT27210http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/solar_offers_stability_for_dairy_operations/Recognizing its popularity and economic sense, many banks now offer easy financing for operations interested in installing solar.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSun, 24 Jun 2012 13:27:00 GMT27328http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/use_the_correct_ratio_to_evaluate_your_feeding_program/Avoid making a management decision that could decrease your dairy’s profits because you were told “your feed costs are too high.”Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 23 Jul 2012 11:30:00 GMT27540http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/8_ways_to_survive_the_drought_/A lender explains how to position your dairy to ease the financial stress.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 06 Aug 2012 12:05:00 GMT27634http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/common_threads_in_the_dairy_crisis/An attorney offers 6 tips to help you avoid the pain of liquidating or reorganizing your dairy.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 17 Aug 2012 18:13:00 GMT27738http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/how_to_project_your_dairy’s_working_capital_needs/Forecasting your cash-flow requirements and ensuring you have access to adequate cash are essential because volatility is here to stay.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 31 Aug 2012 11:38:00 GMT27858http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/staying_competitive_in_a_tumultuous_market/A banker’s checklist for success.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 17 Sep 2012 13:06:00 GMT28007http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/have_you_changed_your_thinking_to_keep_up_with_the_market/Transitioning to a multiple-person management team increases your bottom line so you can better withstand market downturns and take advantage of market upturns. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessThu, 27 Sep 2012 16:20:00 GMT28105http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/the_strong_will_survive/Strategizing with your banker is your ticket to longevity, says Rabobank.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSat, 13 Oct 2012 12:42:00 GMT28256http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/mistakes_and_misconceptions_firsthand_observations_on_the_dairy_financial_crisis_/After meeting with dozens of dairymen suffering financial distress, Walter sees issues that producers have likely never faced before. Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 26 Oct 2012 13:15:00 GMT28367http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/managing_margins_net_herd_replacement_costs/Many dairy managers are culling cows at a heavier rate to make room for heifers. Unfortunately, this strategy can backfire.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSat, 10 Nov 2012 11:19:00 GMT28524http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/what_you_should_know_about_buying_farmland/A lender answers frequently asked questions about farmland values, real estate bubbles and borrowing determinations.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 10 Dec 2012 12:35:00 GMT28812http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/financial_goal_plan_for_disaster_/If you have planned for the worst and don’t panic, you can manage your way – and your dairy’s -- through adversity.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 14 Dec 2012 17:12:00 GMT28874http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/do_you_really_want_to_milk_cows/To thrive in this new, evolving dairy industry, multiple skills must be mastered. Sometimes skills must be hired in an effort to successfully manage the overall business.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 28 Dec 2012 09:21:00 GMT28966http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/if_i_had_more_cows_hard_truths_about_the_dairy_crisis/After meetings with more than 60 dairy producers, this insolvency attorney discusses some common misconceptions.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 04 Jan 2013 17:21:00 GMT29021http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/re-think_your_dairy’s_interest-rate_fix/Historically low interest rates could be poised to climb. Should you consider a lower variable rate that can change monthly or a longer-term fixed rate? Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessThu, 31 Jan 2013 16:39:00 GMT29257http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/dairy_nightmares/Dairies can learn a few business turnaround lessons from Chef Ramsey and his "Kitchen Nightmares" TV show.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSun, 10 Mar 2013 18:42:00 GMT29600http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/know_your_own_dairy’s_numbers/In benchmarking, evaluate and challenge each category – reproduction, nutrition, finance, feed shrink – and seek the unvarnished truth.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessMon, 18 Mar 2013 12:07:00 GMT29656http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/growing_more_heifer_replacements_may_not_always_be_the_answer/Several factors can bridge the gap in value between owning your replacements and purchasing them from the open market.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 29 Mar 2013 13:42:00 GMT29785http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/after_the_crash_what_to_expect_/Don’t just sprinkle the money around. Here are smart ways to use your improved cash flow as you come out of the pricing crisis.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessSun, 14 Apr 2013 10:28:00 GMT29910http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/are_your_preparing_for_your_retirement_/While it’s never too late to start planning, the key is to start in your early years.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 26 Apr 2013 14:54:00 GMT30018http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/blog/fiscal_fitness/where_to_now_5_questions_to_ask_yourself/Take the steps that will enable your dairy operation to strengthen and evolve into a stronger financial position.Dairy Today: Fiscal FitnessFri, 10 May 2013 17:47:00 GMT30138