APPENDIX: COVER LETTER AND SURVEY INSTRUMENT
VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
540/231-5850 FAX: 540/231-7417
Name
Address
City, VA Zip code
We are writing to ask your assistance in cooperating with a survey of dairy management practices. As
you know, dairying continues to be one of our state’s leading agricultural enterprises with both a strong
tradition and efficient producers. At the same time, there are rapid changes occurring in dairy production
which will affect future profitability. To help promote the long run success and growth of Virginia’s
agriculture, Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists in cooperation with others in Pennsylvania and
Vermont are conducting this study to identify production and farm characteristics that provide higher
profits and personal satisfaction for dairy farmers.
This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Please return it in the enclosed self-addressed
envelope. While the surveys are numbered for mailing purposes, you can be assured that your responses
will be kept strictly confidential with no disclosure of individual information. Only summaries of
this survey will be published.
Thank you for your time and effort. The information you are providing will be used to improve the
management educational services you receive through Virginia Cooperative Extension and to support a
larger research project investigating grazing practices of dairy farms. Results of this project will be
published in the Virginia Dairyman.
If you have any questions about this survey, please call Gordon Groover at (540)-231-5850 or write to
Gordon at the above address.
Sincerely,
Gordon E. Groover
Extension Economist
Farm Management
Charlie Stallings
Extension Dairy Scientist
Nutrition
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