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Dissertations, Theses and Plan B Papers -- Abstract

Dartt, Barbara A.. A Comparison of Management-Intensive Grazing and Conventionally Managed Michigan Dairies: Profitability, Economic Efficiencies, Quality of Life, and Management Priorities. Master's Thesis, 1998. Major Professor: Lloyd. Department 1998 Best M.S. Thesis

A retrospective cohort study was designed to determine differences in profitability, asset efficiency, operating efficiency, labor efficiency, quality of life, and management priorities between Michigan dairy farm operators implementing management-intensive grazing (MIG) and conventionally managing dairy farm operators. Financial information, labor use and quality of life data, and management priorities were collected with surveys and personal interviews from 35 MIG and 18 conventionally managed dairies with similar herd sizes and locations. Multivariate linear regression indicated that MIG dairies tended to have higher economic profit and asset efficiency and had significantly higher operating and labor efficiencies than conventionally managed dairies. Univariate analysis and logistic regression also suggested that MIG as conventionally managing dairy producers had a very similar perception of their quality of life and had similar management priorities. Overall, the study population was quite satisfied with their quality of life. These results suggest that MIG could provide a sustainable alternative management tool for portions of Michigan's dairy industry.