Workshop to Boost Dairy Financial, Management and HR Skill Sets

 

Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop is capstone course for dairy professionals.

The 2026 Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop, presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) is designed to provide the tools, insights and strategies for dairy professionals to take their financial, HR and management skills to the next level. The capstone course is led by globally recognized agricultural management expert Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting, combining discussion, case studies, financial tools and hands-on application to help participants put advanced business management concepts to work.

The two-day workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, at Compeer Financial in Sun Prairie, Wis.

The workshop agenda is intended for participants who already have a working knowledge of financial concepts and are ready to take a deeper look at how those principles can be used to manage the business. Through case studies and practical exercises, participants will have opportunities to evaluate financial and management decisions in the context of their own operations. Participants will explore:

• Farm management proficiency: Assess key competencies in financial and human resource management.
• Financial statements: Develop and interpret balance sheets and income statements to better understand business performance and financial position.
• Cash flow budgeting: Build reliable projections and strengthen financial planning using advanced budgeting tools.
• Financial metrics and simulation: Apply the DuPont financial simulation model and partial budgeting tools to evaluate potential business changes.
• Cost and managerial accounting: Build a clearer picture of enterprise performance through cost centers, profit centers and managerial accounting.
• Family business governance: Establish clear roles, responsibilities and operating procedures that support the business’s mission, vision and core values.
• Growth management: Evaluate sustainable growth strategies and make informed decisions about capital asset investments.

“The Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop is a unique learning opportunity because of the diversity of students and the instructor,” said Amy Karpinski, owner of Sheridan Flats Dairy LLC. “It’s not just dairy farmers taking these classes, it is industry professionals like veterinarians and nutritionists. Learning from your peers is always one of the biggest takeaways from any PDP program.”

PDP Business Management & Advanced Finance Workshop is accredited for up to 12.5 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) continuing education credits. Learn more and register at www.pdpw.org or by contacting PDP at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.