The 2025 International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Dairy Forum in San Antonio, Texas, set the stage for discussions about the future direction of the dairy industry. Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO opened the forum giving tribute to the dedication of dairy farmers who work tirelessly throughout the year, regardless of holidays or weather. This commitment sets the foundation for a thriving industry that delivers nutritious products to our tables.
Reflecting on Current Political Dynamics
Former Speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy spoke highlighting the rapid political shifts orchestrated by President Trump. With tariffs being a major focus, Dykes noted that the dairy industry must work in a bipartisan fashion to be united.
“We’re going to need to know what we want, and we’re going to need to be crystal clear about it,” he said in front of the record-breaking crowd.
Key Drivers for Growth
Dykes referenced a McKinsey survey revealing an optimistic outlook among dairy leaders regarding an $8 billion investment in processing infrastructure.
“Our products are very nutritious,” he says, applauding when Senator Roger Marshall opened a glass of milk during the confirmation hearing for the new Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, and encouraged her to be thinking about supporting whole milk in schools.
“It’s that kind of advocacy we need unexpected people saying unexpectedly positive things about dairy in unexpected places,” he said.
Celebrating the Resilience of Dairy Farmers
Underscoring the ingenuity of American dairy farmers, Dykes expressed his unwavering belief in their ability to meet processing needs. He says he is impressed by the increased component levels on the farm and so when others question, ‘Will dairy producers fill the upcoming processing needs,’ he shares, “Never underestimate the American dairy farmer. Dairy Farmers read market signals. If there’s a call for milk, dairy farmers will have milk. So, I am a strong believer in the American farmer. Never underestimate them.”
Discovering Limitless Opportunities
Dykes presented five opportunities to unlock the industry’s limitless potential:
1. Create Value from Disruption: Navigating challenges like inflation and supply chain issues has showcased the resilience of dairy operations. The industry must continue leveraging these skills to innovate and thrive.
“If we lived through anything, we’ve lived through disruption. Milk kept getting processed. Products kept going to the chefs and consumers kept having the products to buy, all because of the great work of this industry,” Dykes says. Although he noted that mass deportations will probably be the next thing that the dairy industry will deal with.
2. Leverage Technology: Technological advancements, from pasteurization to robotics, are transforming farms and processing plants. These innovations not only improve efficiency but also enhance food safety and product tracking, ensuring a robust supply chain.
“We’re using technology across our industry – such as the cutting and the wrapping process. Robotics are replacing some of the more manual labor so that we can put our human capital at a higher value task where human experience and judgment is critical,” he says, noting that the data collected helps improved food safety.
“Think about cottage cheese and TikTok and what a change that has made. We’re using it to help us with inventories and know when peak demands are,” he says.
Dykes also applauds the innovation and technology that is helping drive many dairies, like the Grotegut family in Wisconsin, the recent recipient of the 2025 IDFA Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award.
3. Elevate Nutrition and Wellness: Dykes emphasized the importance of promoting dairy as a cornerstone of a healthy diet. The narrative must shift towards advocating for the positive health impacts of dairy products, rejecting notions of a broken food system.
“We have a great story in dairy to tell,” Dykes says. “I would tell you that ‘make America healthy again’ is bigger and broader and more ingrained than just RFK Jr. There are many that believe our food systems are broken. I do not subscribe to that.”
4. Enhance a Growth Mindset: Strategic partnerships and innovative market strategies are essential for long-term growth. As the USMCA is reconsidered, maintaining and expanding market access will be crucial, demanding a unified and aggressive industry approach. Dykes also shares that to achieve a growth mindset in 2025, we must come to the table with partners and news ideas.
“Above all, speak with a unified voice. We need to be aggressive when we go after trade. We need to be unified in what we’re asking for and again, educate, educate, educate. We’ve got policymakers that have heard probably mostly negative things about trade. And trade for some unknown reason has a negative connotation today,” he says.
5. Make it About the People: The heart of the dairy industry is its people. Dykes believes in the limitless potential unlocked by fostering inclusivity and creativity within organizations.
“I firmly believe in people. If we unleash the creativity that’s inside each and every person in our organization, make them feel welcome, make them feel valued, make them feel included -I think the potential is unlimited,” he concludes, cheering to reinforce the industry’s collaborative spirit and unyielding commitment to progress.
As the world changes, embracing unity, innovation, and advocacy will be the key to navigating the road ahead for the dairy industry.
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