Dairy Strategies, LLC currently provides economic analysis of agricultural businesses through expert analysis services for both agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) and agribusiness firms. Our philosophy at Dairy Strategies’ is to do the necessary fact-finding, in order to better understand the true situation, and develop a report to accurately and fairly represent our client’s position, whether they are a plaintiff or defendant. When available, detailed business records, that may include: on-farm production records, or similar operational records, herd health and related herd management records, tax records and financial accounting records, business plans, etc, all provide important insights and allow for our expert interpretation of the performance of the business enterprise(s) and the potential economic losses that may have resulted or are being claimed. We bring a unique combination of knowledge and experience in the agricultural sector and the dairy sector in particular from both the biological and economic perspectives.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: ECONOMIC ANALYSIS and LITIGATION SUPPORT TEAM:
Terry R. Smith, Ph.D. (President/CEO), formerly Professor, Dairy Science and Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability. He is an industry leader in the area of business performance benchmarking and in the development and analysis of business and strategic plans for a broad range of businesses, throughout the US and internationally. Based in Wisconsin.
Robert A. Milligan, Ph.D. (Senior Consultant), formerly Professor, Department of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. Extensive dairy economic and management experience. Based in Minnesota.
Lynn P. Johnson, Ph.D. (Associate Consultant), formerly Manager, Nutritional Systems and Development for Vita Plus Feeds, Dairy Systems Specialist for the Center for Dairy Profitability, University of Wisconsin, Division Vice-President of Processing Services for Wisconsin DHIA and Director of Research and Development at the Holstein Association. Based in Wisconsin.
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Ph.D. – Dairy Science/Agricultural Economics – 1980
Emphasis: dairy science, production economics, farm management
University of Maine
M.S. – Animal Science – 1977
Emphasis: dairy manure management, animal nutrition, computer science, economics
Cornell University
B.S. – Animal Science and Agricultural Economics – 1975
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Ph.D. – Dairy Science/Agricultural Economics – 1980
Emphasis: dairy science, production economics, farm management
University of Maine
M.S. – Animal Science – 1977
Emphasis: dairy manure management, animal nutrition, computer science, economics
Cornell University
B.S. – Animal Science and Agricultural Economics – 1975
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: More than 50 projects over past 10 years.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Economics, dairy management, damage analysis, business analysis, production analysis, economic damage analysis, business valuation
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: approximately 20%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: approximately 80%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 20 times
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Fall, 2007
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Never been disqualified
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: approximately 10 times
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: About 30 years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting, damage claim analysis, on-site farm/business evaluation.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $225/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $225/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $300/hour ($1500 minimum fee)
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $300/hour
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel time billed at prevailing rate (port-to-port)
Air travel with flights over 3 hrs - business class ticket required
Data entry support: $100/hour
Administrative support: $50/hour
