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Financing Dairy Grazing

FREE 2-PART WEBINAR for Lenders and Bankers

PART 1: Wednesday, October 21, 9-11 AM CT
PART 2: Wednesday, October 28, 9-11 AM CT

Zoom Webinar

This intermediate‑level 2-part workshop is designed for agricultural lenders seeking deeper insight into the financial performance, market dynamics, and credit risks associated with grass‑based dairy systems. 

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Learn about cost‑of‑production data, milk pricing structures, and underwriting considerations for pasture‑based dairies, with specific attention to risk mitigation, cash flow stability, and market access. Real‑world case examples will illustrate transition scenarios from confinement to forage‑based systems and help lenders identify situations where grass‑based models may enhance borrower repayment capacity or portfolio diversification.

Register today for this free two-part webinar and increase your ability to evaluate the risks, opportunities, and financial performance of grass-based dairy operations, strengthening your ability to serve dairy clients and make informed lending decisions.

This webinar is free and open to bankers and lenders, consultants, and technical assistance providers. 

AGENDA

Facilitator: Andy Larson, Regional Coordinator and Director of Professional Development Programs, NCR-SARE

Session 1, 9-11am CT, Wednesday, October 21st

Part 1: Setting the Stage

Speaker:

  • Jonathan Winsten, Ph.D., Agricultural and Environmental Economist, Winrock International

Dr. Winston will define low-overhead dairy grazing and address topics including: Who should consider dairy grazing, when grazing dairy works / doesn’t work,  economics of grass dairy compared to conventional, market opportunities, and more.

Part 2: Farmer Perspectives

Speakers:

  • Tom Cook, Conventional Grass Dairy Farmer
  • Eric Grim, Organic Grass Dairy Farmer

Farmers will share information based on their personal experience with dairy grazing, covering topics such as production numbers, markets, risks managed, strategies used to respond to financial challenges, and more.

Session 2, 9-11am CT, Wednesday, October 28th

Part 1: Banking Grazing Dairies

Speakers:

  • Paul Dietmann, Compeer Financial
  • Jason Karzes, PRO-DAIRY Program, Cornell University

Our speakers will discuss how banking a grass dairy is different from banking a conventional dairy, including aspects such as underwriting, preparing financial analysts, use of financing, differences in problems encountered versus conventional dairies, and common financial benchmarks from grass dairies.

Part 2: Innovative Finance for Grazing Dairies

Speaker:

  • Tera Johnson, Innovative Finance Expert and Founder, Food Finance Institute

Our speaker will discuss efficiencies that can be gained by re-imagining the overhead and management of dairy farms, how they help address the current market pressures in dairy, and how banks can be involved in innovative financial models with investors and grant-makers.