Dr. Larry Tranel, ISU Extension & Outreach Dairy Specialist

"Empowering Dairy Families with Profit and Quality of Life" 

What's New?  

• Optimizing Your Heifer Enterprise (pdf) by Dr. Lee Kilmer and Dr, Larry Tranel, 2014
• What's it Cost to Raise Heifers? (pdf) by Dr. Larry Tranel, 2014
• ISU Extension Dairy and Heifer Budgets (xls spreadsheet), by Kristen Schulte, Larry Tranel and Lee Kilmer, 2014
• ISU Extension Dairy and Heifer Budgets (pdf), by Kristen Schulte, Larry Tranel and Lee Kilmer, 2014
• ISU Extension Dairy and Heifer Budgets Narrative/User Guide (pdf) by Kristen Schulte and Larry Tranel, 2014
• Contracting Corn Silage for Your Dairy (pdf), by Kristen Schulte and Larry Tranel, 2013

• ISU Extension Dairy Team Newsletter: December, 2013 (pdf) edited by Larry Tranel. Past newsletters: March, 2013; December, 2012; Summer, 2012; December, 2011; March, 2011

Robotic Milking Continues to Grow

1) Is Robotic Milking a Good Deal?  Hoard's Dairyman Webinar, August, 2013

        a) Automatic Milking Systems Webinar, Spring, 2013

2) Economics of Automatic Milking Systems (i.e. Robots)

        a)    PDF of spreadsheet -- Automatic Milking Systems

        b)    Working EXCEL Version 2.0

3) Automatic Milking Systems--A Deal or No Deal for your Dairy?

4) Thumbrule Costs for Raising Heifers -- 2011  (notice 2014 update above)

5) ISU Extension Dairy View Newsletter -- Dec 2011

6) ISU Extension Dairy Budget  18,000 pounds milk on pasture system (updated, 2014)

Check Out!

Automatic Milking (Robots) and Low Cost Parlors Impact Report, 2013, Larry Tranel

                  Dairy Specialist Profit Impact Report  

                  Dairy Specialist Quality of Life Impact Report 

                  Operation Impact    

Who Wants to Be a MILLIONAIRE?

Progressive Dairy Reports Millionaire Model Dairy Farm 11th Most Read Article, 2011   Click here to read it :   http://bit.ly/2011Top25_11 

1) Millionaire Model Dairy Farms -- Part I (the story of a young dairy producer's success using the model)

2) Millionaire Model Dairy Farms -- Part II (the base financial model with 2007 and 2009 data compared)

3) Millionaire Model Dairy Farms -- Part III (the base production details and their focus for success)

4a) Millionaire Model Dairy Farms -- Part IV 

4b) Data for Publication IV (10 Year Case Study on a Model Farm) 

**Thanks to the Leopold Center at Iowa State University for their funding assistance with the Millionaire Model Dairy Farms Project. 

Other New Materials:

1.  Managing Feed Cost Benchmarks -- Presentation

2. Managing Dairy Feed Cost Benchmarks -- Factsheet

3. Dairy Feed Cost Benchmark Calculator--PDF of Program 

4. Dairy Share Rent Agreements Article

5. Remodeling Your Dairy--Cost Effective Facilities Publication

6. Using Dairy TRANS 4.4 for Profit Performance --Presentation

7.  What Do You Tell the Kids in Tough Times -- Presentation

8. Beginning Dairy Grazing -- Presentation

9. Managing Dairy Farm Finances Presentation

10. SHOW ME THE MONEY -- Model Dairy Producers say "Cha Ching! Cha Ching!"

11. SHOW ME THE MONEY -- Beginning Dairy Producer Heading Toward Millionaire Status  

 Beginner Grazer -- GRAZE Magazing Article

ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletters, edited by Dr. Larry Tranel        

Sections on Publications, Fact Sheets and then Powerpoint Presentations follow Software section below.

TRANS Iowa Low Cost Milking Parlor Resources:

NEW!  Economics of Low Cost Parlors -- Working Spreadsheet

       Economics of Low Cost Parlors -- Factsheet

Check Out!!   Building a Low Cost TRANS Iowa Parlor Presentation     

                       Low Cost Milking Parlor Webinar  

Producer Profile Pat and Sheila Brehm's TRANS Iowa Parlor

 Blueprints:  Cross Section View   Top View   

NEW!!  TRANS Iowa Low Cost Parlor Pub

University of Wisconsin-Extension Publication on Low Cost Parlors by Dr. David Kammel

To ORDER TRANS Iowa Milking Time Video, 45 mins.

Video(Intro)   Video(CowPlatform)  Video(BackGate)  

Video(Heifer)     Video(Manure)    Video(Cleaning)

Video(AttachSwing) Video(SwingArm)  Video(Turn)

Dairy Sheep / Goat Resources

Wisconsin Dairy Sheep Financial Analysis Project 2010

1. Dairy Goat Financial Profits Study--Presentation

2. Dairy Goat Financial Profits Study--Publication

3. ISU Extension Dairy Goat Budget

4. ISU Extension Dairy Goat TRANS--Presentation

5. Dairy Goat TRANS Financial Analysis Program

6.. ISU Extension Dairy Goat Factsheet

7.  ISU Extension Dairy Team Goat Resources

Dairy Heifer Raising Resources

1.Thumb-Rule Costs for Raising Dairy Heifers

2. What's it Cost to Raise Dairy Heifers -- Factsheet

3. Methods to Reduce Heifer Feed Costs-- Factsheet

4. How Can Heifer Raising Costs Be Reduced-- Factsheet

SOFTWARE Authored by Dr. Larry Tranel   To ORDER Software

NEW: Dairy Feed Cost Benchmark Calculator-- PDF of Program

 

1) Tranel, Larry (assisted by Frank, Gary), Dairy TRANS 4.4 Financial Analysis Program Software (DAIRY Total Return ANalysis System), copyright 2002, 2004, revised 2006, 2009.  (also for Dairy Goat TRANS Financial Analysis Program 

2) Tranel, Larry, Goat BUD 1.0, 2006. 

 

3) Tranel, Larry and Frank, Gary, SHAREMILK 2.0, revised, 2002.

 

4) Tranel, Larry, Dairy CALC, revised 2002 (Dry Matter Intake Estimator and Feed Needs Handout). 

 

5) Tranel, Larry, Dairy BUD 1.0, October, 2002 (Dairy Budgeting Spreadsheet)

 

6) Tranel, Larry, TRANS FLOW, revised, 2002 (Monthly Farm and Family Cash Flow Spreadsheet)

 

7) Tranel, Larry, STOCKING RATE CALCULATOR, revised, 2002 (Pasture Stocking Rate Calculator)

 

8) Tranel, Larry, CROP BUD 2.0, revised 2002, (Crop Budget Comparison Spreadsheet)

 

9) Tranel, Larry F., Dairy COW LEASE

 

 

10) Tranel, Larry F.,  Dairy Farm Value Calculator Using  Rental or Income Approach 1.0, 2006

 

11) Tranel, Larry F., TRANS Iowa Parlor Cost Estimator (not done yet)

 

12)  Tranel, Larry F., Sharemilker Labor % Calculator, 2004

 

13) Tranel, Larry F., Paddock Record Sheet, 2006

Books, Publications, Articles and Fact Sheets

by Dr. Larry Tranel: 

Tranel, Larry F., "Dairy Crossbreeding--Deal or No Deal?" 2007.

1) Tranel, Larry F., "What Can You Afford To Pay For a Dairy Farm," 2006.

2) Brown, Paul; Tranel, Larry, et al. “Leasing Dairy Cows”, ISU Extension Publications, 2006.

3) Tranel, Larry F., et al.  “TRANS Iowa Low Cost Milking Parlor”, 2006.  Remodeled Dairy Parlors Factsheet

4) Tranel, Larry F. “Producer Profile:  Landlord Recounts Helping Young Beginning Producer”,  ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, March, 2006  Graze Magazine—Model Farm Article 

 

5) Brown, Miriam, editor; Tranel, Larry F. et al, “Sustaining Heart in the Heartland—Exploring Rural Spirituality”, Paulist Press, 2005. http://www.jknirp.com/miriam.htm

http://www.paulistpress.com/4319-4.html

 

6) Tranel, Larry and Thoreson, Dale, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-101A, “Remodeling Your Dairy--Cost Effective Facilities”  2005. 

 

7) Tranel, Larry F., ISU Extension Encourages Dairy Investment

 

8) Tranel, Larry F. , Iowa State University Extension, “Who Wants to Be a Dairy Millionaire?”, 2005  2002 Data; 2004 Data

 

9) Tranel, Larry F., Iowa State University Extension, “Increasing Client Base with Dairy Millionaires”, 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, April, 2004.

 

10) Tranel, Larry F., Iowa State University Extension, Managing Dairy Farm Finances, 2002

* received National award in 1993.

 

11) Tranel, Larry F., Iowa State University Extension, “Your Personality Box”, 2002.

 

12) Tranel, Larry F., University of Wisconsin-Extension, “Strategic Marketing and Impressions Plan”, 1997.

 

13) Tranel, Larry F., University of Wisconsin-Extension, A3670 “Sharemilking in the Midwest”, 1996.

 * Received State Publication Award, ISU-CEP, 2000.

 

14) Frank, Gary, Klemme, Rick, RajBhandary, Bimal and Tranel, Larry, Managing the Farm, Volume 28, No. 3 “Economics of Alternative Dairy Grazing Scenarios,”   October 31, 1995.

 

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/archives/1996/04/01/management_intensive_rotational_grazings_senseand_dollars/index.php

 

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/archives/1998/09/01/grazings_potential_predicting_expansions_cost_profit/index.php

 

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/archives/1998/09/02/grazings_potential_expansions_effects_on_cash_flow/index.php

 

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/archives/2005/02/01/pastures_of_plenty_financial_performance_of_wisconsin_grazing_dairy_farms/index.php  

 

15) Tranel, Larry F. “Dollars and Sense—A Handbook for Seasonal Grass Based Dairying”, Green Park Press, 1994. (10,000 copies sold) out of print. 

 

16) Tranel, Larry and Frank, Gary, Managing The Farm, Volume 24 No. 4  “Dairy Pasture Economics, “ August 16, 1991

 

17) Trans Iowa Low Cost Parlors, Agri-News Article

 

18) Millionaire Model Dairy Farms, Agri-News Article

 

19) TRANS Iowa Low Cost Parlors, Dairy Star Article

 

Fact Sheets (sampling) by Larry Tranel

 

1) Tranel, Larry F. "So You Want to Transition Your Dairy Herd to Cash Grain Crops??”, ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 9, July, 2006.

 

2) Tranel, Larry F. “Managed Grazing Can Improve Profits and Quality of Life—That’s a Fact!!, ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 10, July, 2006.

 

3) Tranel, Larry F. "Dairy TRANS 4.0 Making Milionaires", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 4, March, 2006.

 

4) Tranel, Larry F. "Landlord Recounts Helping Young Beginning Producer, ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 5, March, 2006.

 

5) Tranel, Larry F. "Dairy Goats", 2006.

6) Tranel, Larry F. "Computerizing Your Financial Records", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 6, March, 2006.

7) Tranel, Larry F. "Tax Time is Learning Time as Well", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 6, March, 2006.

8) Tranel, Larry F. "TRANS Iowa Low Cost Milking Parlor," ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, pages 9-12, March, 2006.

9)* Tranel, Larry F. “Some High Five Profit Keys”, ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 3, January, 2006.

 

10) Tranel, Larry F. "Feeding High Corn Silage Diets", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 5, January, 2006.

Portions adapted from Jefferson County Cowscope Newsletter                         

 

11) Tranel, Larry F. "Millionaire Model Farms", ISU Extension Extension View Dairy Newsletter, pages 3-12, July, 2005.

 

12) Tranel, Larry F., Iowa State University Producer Profile, “Long Day Lighting is Money in the Bank”, ISU Extension View Newsletter, page 7, March, 2004.

 

13) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, “BSE—“What’s the Risk”, January, 2004.

 

14) Tranel, Larry F. "Feeding Strategies When Forage Supplies are Tight", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 4, December, 2003.

 

15) Tranel, Larry F. "High Corn Silage Diets", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 5, June, 2003.

 

16) Tranel, Larry F. "Dairy Parlor Remodeling Options", ISU Extension Dairy View Newsletter, page 7, March, 2003.

 

17) Tranel, Larry F., Thoreson, Dale and Tigner, Robert, “Contracting Corn Silage for Your Dairy” ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 8, June, 2003. 

 

18) Tranel, Larry F., "Inoculants for Corn Silage," ISU Extenison View Newsletter, page 10, June, 2003.

19) Tranel, Larry F. "Grass Based Dairying in Iowa"

 

20) Tranel, Larry F. "Dairy TRANS 4.0--A Tool For You?", ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 3, December, 2002.

21) Tranel, Larry F. "Low Cost Crowd Gate Works Well," ISU Extension Dairy View Newsletter, page 4, June, 2002.

22) Tranel, Larry F. "Making Milking Easier," ISU Extension View Dairy Newsletter, page 7, March, 2002.

23) Tranel, Larry F. "Dairy AIR Program", 2002.

 

24) Tranel, Larry F. A Model Beginning Dairy Producer

 

25) Tranel, Larry F., adapted from Haugen, Vance, "Automatic Take-Offs"

 

27) Tranel, Larry F., Iowa State University Extension, “Dairy Heifer Raising Contract Sample”,  2002.

 

28) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, “Foot and Mouth Disease—the Virus,” April, 2001.

 

29) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-116, “Renting Dairy and Beef Facilities,” January, 2001.

 

30) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-115, “Cost-Effective Milking Facilities”, January, 2001.

 

31) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, “Economics of Somatic Cell Count Management,”  January, 2001

 

32) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, LT-114, “Extending the Forage Season by Stockpiling,” Fall, 2000.

 

33) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-113, “Reducing Heat Stress on Dairy Cows”, July, 2000.

 

34) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, “Alfalfa Management for Quality and Profit”, June, 2000.

35) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet, “Potato Leaf Hoppers and Your Quality Alfalfa”, June, 2000.

 

35) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-112, “Calving Your Beef Cows Outside the Box” May, 2000.

 

36) Tranel, Larry F. "Grazing Dairy Heifers -- TRANLAND Dairy"

37) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-111, “Estimating Alfalfa Quality Using PEAQ,” April, 2000.

 

38) Tranel, Larry  Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-110, “Establishing Kura Clover” February, 2000.

 

39) Tranel, Larry and Fricke, Paul, Iowa State University Fact Sheet 109, “The Basics of Getting Cows Bred,” February, 2000.

 

40) Tranel, Larry, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-107, “Nitrogen Fertilizer on Grass Pastures,” February, 2000.

 

41) Tranel, Larry and Frank, Gary, “What Herds are Most Profitable for Dairying?”  Hoard’s Dairyman.

 

42) Tranel, Larry and Thoreson, Dale, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-102, Reducing Heifer Raising Costs with Quality Pasture”, “What’s It Cost to Raise Heifers” October, 1999.

 

43) Tranel, Larry and Combs, David, Iowa State University Fact Sheet LT-106, “Feeding Dairy Cows on Quality Pasture”, July, 1999.

 

44) Tranel, Larry, “Grass-Based Dairying Benchmarks”, August, 1999.

 

45) Tranel, Larry and Bay, Ted, “Pricing Standing Hay", Summer, 1998.

 

46) Tranel, Larry, “Income Averaging for Farmers”, December, 1998.

 

47) Tranel, Larry, University of Wisconsin-Extension Fact Sheet, “The Tax Reduction Act of 1997,”  December, 1997. (out of date)

 

48) Tranel, Larry, University of Wisconsin-Extension Fact Sheet, “The Milking Unit--Udder Ending Thoughts”, Oct 1997

 

49) Tranel, Larry, University of Wisconsin-Extension Fact Sheet, “Economic Rent for Pasture,”

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