Dairy (Confinement) Planning Budget

Editor’s note
The following abstract describes a publication that is only available as a downloadable PDF.

See the Dairy Budgets workbook (XLSX) for related information.

Ryan Milhollin
Associate Extension Professor, Agricultural Business and Policy

Scott Poock
Extension Professor, Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

Stacey Hamilton
Extension Specialist, Animal Sciences

Reagan Bluel
Field Specialist in Dairy

Abstract

Using this planning budget, dairy farmers may estimate their costs and returns for 2027. Table 1 presents estimates for a 150-cow confinement dairy in Missouri with replacements raised on-farm. Assumptions were based on price forecasts as of October 2026. Detailed inputs, feed requirements, and investments are summarized in Tables 2, 3, and 4. The production practices used to develop these cost estimates are common for Missouri confinement dairies. Use the “Your estimate” column to plan your operation’s costs and returns for 2027.

Topics

• Confinement dairy
• Farm budget

Pages

• 2