ABSTRACT
Summary Over the last 10 years, dairy-farm enterprises have grown in size, with an apparent increase in use of improved scientific feeding and management techniques. There is growing emphasis on automated feeding and milking and on management strategies in an attempt to reduce labor needs and allow more cows/worker. The average herd size in the sample population was 76.8 cows. There was difficulty finding herds over 100 and under 40 head. It appears that the trend toward increasing growth will continue, inasmuch as sufficient capital, management ability, and debt service capacity exist to permit the growth to occur. Forage management by Wisconsin dairy farmers also has changed over the last 10 years, with more emphasis on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as a means of reducing purchased protein feeds and controlling feed costs. This change has led to increased soil testing, forage testing, and forage fertilization. Low-moisture silage (LMS) as a means of reducing labor and preserving forage quality has increased and has resulted in growing dairy-farm investments. Producers relate LMS forage systems to highquality feed, lower costs of purchased feed, automated feeding, and increased profits.
