The problems of commercial dairymen in northeastern Ohio, their sources of occupational information, and the relationships between their perception of needs and a professional's perception of their needs were studied. Questionnaires designed to assess these needs were mailed to 400 commercial dairymen and 141 professionals. Major problems, as seen by dairymen, were found to be breeding cows and heifers for high production, keeping cows healthy, and providing the right amount and kind of feed. Major problems of dairymen, as seen by professionals, are maintaining a labor supply, financing improvements, and manure handling and disposal. Sources that dairymen rely on for information are farm magazines, the county agent, the Extension specialist, veterinarians, and vocational agriculture instructors. (CK)