Sharing our research is an important component of our commitment in providing technical assistance to dairy artisans. The DBIC and our partners are proud to provide the following recent presentations and studies.

Protecting Your Brand Assets
As dairy brands and new product variety names are constantly being developed, it is good business practice to protect your investment by spending time and dollars to utilize and properly register your product names and logos. Andrea Neu, DBIC; Charles S. Sara, DeWitt Ross & Stevens; and Les Lamb, business consultant, outline the steps needed in a new Protecting Your Brand Assets paper (PDF file) and Trademark Seminar presentation (PDF file).

2007 Wisconsin Dairy Producer Survey
Wisconsin dairy farmers were asked about the future of their operations in a special milk producer survey project. Results show nearly three quarters of the respondents plan to be milking five years from now; with nearly half planning to keep the same number of milk cows, and a quarter indicating they will increase their herd size by 2012. Survey Results (PDF file)

Cheese Tourism in Wisconsin: Issues & Prospects
This study was designed for Wisconsin cheesemakers and other dairy processors who are interested in expanding or developing tourism for their businesses. Cheese Tourism Report (PDF file)

Everything is Marketing
This PowerPoint presentation by DBIC Team Member Dan Strongin demonstrates why understanding marketing, pricing and distribution is key to a profitable business. Part 1: Distribution,the Never Ending Challenge, then view Part 2: Managing the Chain of Distribution and finally, Part 3: Strategies for Pricing. (PDF files)

The World of Cheese
This PowerPoint presentation by DBIC Team Member Dan Strongin is a great introduction to the diverse world of cheese. Part 1 and Part 2. (PDF files)

Transportation & Logistics
This PowerPoint presentation by DBIC Team Member John Jacobs discusses issues related to getting product from your business to your customer's door. Transportation & Logistics PPT (PDF file)

Resources to Grow Wisconsin Value Added Dairy
This PowerPoint presentation by DBIC Manager Jim Gage outlines financial resources - including grants, loans and in-kind services - available to the dairy industry. Financial Resources (PDF file)

Affinage Discovery Session - Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
Sponsored by DATCP's Agricultural Development and Diversification (ADD) grant program, this one-day session brought together 12 resource people from the cheese community to discuss critical topic areas involved with affinage. Affinage Discovery Session Report (PDF file)

Cheese Names Reflecting Geographical Characteristics of Wisconsin
DBIC Consultant Laurie Greenberg shares her research on this subject. Use these four documents to learn how to creatively name new cheeses. To learn more about geographical regions and how they can affect names of cheeses: Geographical Regions of Wisconsin. To learn more about how to design the name of an artisan cheese: How to Design the Name of an Artisan Cheese. To view a map of Wisconsin regions: Land Poster. Finally, to put it all together, use this Excel worksheet: Chart For Cheese Names.

Specialty Cheese in Wisconsin - Opportunities & Challenges
This report records the rise of specialty cheese in America's Dairyland, and addresses the challenges and opportunities available to producers and processors who live here. Early recommendations from this report helped inspire the creation of the DBIC. Specialty Cheese in Wisconsin (PDF file)

Working with Retail Buyers
This report provides background information for farmers who are considering selling their products through retail stores. Is retail the right option for you and your products? How can you prepare yourself and your products for sale? What do buyers need, and what do they like and dislike about locally produced goods? This report can help you answer these questions and prepare for retail marketing. Retail Buyers (PDF file)