You will need to edit carefully, and then edit again. A well-edited paper can often make the difference between a "C" or "B" paper and an "A" paper. But before you begin, give your brain a break. Clearing your mind can help you more objectively evaluate your essay once you begin the editing process. You'll be able to more easily spot errors if your mind is refreshed. Take at least a few minutes to step away from your essay before you come back to it. Of course, you will want to read through your essay, making sure to correct any errors. But don't be afraid to take advantage of spell check. Just remember to also edit on your own. Spell check can't help you with content issues. Be aware that the "grammar check" in word processors is often incorrect about issues, and may even suggest changes that make your writing incorrect. Don't rely only on technology. Even if it feels strange, try reading your paper out loud to see if it flows nicely and sounds logical. This is also a great time to enlist outside help. Try asking a family member, friend, or classmate if they would mind listening to part of your paper. Even if you just read them the introduction, this can be very helpful in catching problems. This is the time to make sure that you have properly cited all of your sources. Remember, you need to give credit for direct quotes, specific facts, or any ideas that are not your own. It's important to properly cite sources so that your teacher or boss knows how you conducted your research. It is also important because you want to avoid plagiarism at all costs. When in doubt, cite your source. Go back through and look for any unnecessary words--if you don't need them, get rid of them. A thorough edit can help you to tighten the focus of your paper and ensure that your ideas are highlighted. A polish also helps you to make sure that your paper looks professional and sounds logical and organized. Try to make it creative, but keep it concise. The title should indicate the topic and be direct and easy to understand. During the editing process, keep your eyes open for possible title ideas as you reread your paper. There are several methods for creating a title. One idea is to begin your title with a question, such as "How..." or "Why...". Another method is to choose a specific example that occurs within your paper and use that as a starting point for your title. Are your points clear? Are your transitions smooth? Are all of your errors corrected? In order to answer these questions, make sure to read every word, and read them slowly. If you're satisfied, your essay is ready to be turned in!

Summary: Walk away. Use technology. Read out loud. Check your citations. Polish your paper. Write your title. Give your paper one final review.


Assuming you have more than a few animals, you'll need to mark them to tell them apart. This will help you track individual milk production and illness. Tagging is a common method. Always buy disease-free animals, and keep them isolated from other animals during transportation to your farm. Quarantining new arrivals (and animals that fall sick) is recommended, especially if they do not have trustworthy, recent health records. Your local government or veterinarian can give you specific advice about diseases in your area.  Equipment shared between farms can spread disease. Try to confirm where the equipment has been used and whether the animals there were healthy.  Disease-carrying ticks are a major problem for livestock. Inspect animals for ticks regularly, and keep the shed area clear of brush. Feeding cattle and other livestock can be a complicated business. There are many different kinds of fodder and forage plants, which provide different amounts of energy, protein, roughage, and various nutrients. A veterinarian or experienced farmer can help you work with the food you have available.  Mineral licks and/or mineral supplements are an important part of the animal's diet. Moldy feed or feed stored in the same area as pesticides and other contaminants can transfer dangerous toxins to the milk.  Dairy animals have high nutrition requirements compared to animals raised for meat. Improper nutrition can lead to lower milk production or lower quality milk. Milk-producing animals typically need milking two or three times a day. Move the animal to a clean location. Wash and dry your hands and the udder before milking. If you've never milked an animal before, learn how to milk a cow or goat. You will need to breed your female animals regularly to keep them lactating as often as possible. The cycle of breeding, calving, and weaning calves has implications for the animal's nutrition needs, health, and of course milk production. Our guide on cows gives you the basics, but this will vary based on species and age. Unlike farms that raise livestock for meat, you will be calving all year round to keep milk production steady. Keeping track of where each animal is in the cycle is vital so you can stick to a plan that keeps your income as regular as possible. Whether to sell, slaughter, or keep an animal is one of the toughest questions for a dairy farmer. Culling allows you to replace a low-yield animal with a higher-quality replacement, and to increase the genetic quality of your herd. Both of these factors are important, but performing them without a plan can add massive costs for replacement animals. Take this into account in your business plan, and include the cost/profit of producing each male and female calf as well.
Summary: Mark each individual animal. Control the spread of disease. Give the animals proper nutrition. Milk the animal frequently. Understand the breeding cycle. Plan for changes in your herd.