NORWICH – Dairy still remains the top industry in Chenango County and as such, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County is reaching out to area dairy farmers to take part in two programs aimed to fortify the local dairy industry and to broaden farmers’ bottom line.

The CCE is partnering with the Chenango County Ag Development Council to offer financial assistance and support needed for dairy farmers to take part in one or both available programs. The intent, according to the CCE, is to help farmers accurately monitor their business expenses. Organizers say both programs are just one more small part of a larger ongoing effort to stabilize Chenango’s dairy market.

“In this economic climate, margins are always extremely tight for farmers,” said CCE Ag Economic Development Specialist Rich Taber. Taber cited the rising cost of business expenses including fuel and animal feed that burden local farmers, and the cost of dairy products which has stayed static in recent years. “We are hoping people can use these programs to identify the factors that will help their dairy business improve.”

One program offered, the Dairy Profit Monitor (DPM), provides farmers a monthly briefing of major operating expenses and allows them to compare their expenses month to month. The goal, Taber explained, is for farmers to analyze how one expense affects another, and to minimize additional expenses that eat away at profit.

“Any time a farmer writes a check, it can be looked at and analyzed,” he pointed out.