Dairy Labor News
As dairy farms look for new ways to hire skilled managers, some are turning to TN visas to bring in trained talent and strengthen leadership across their teams.
With school out and more youth heading into summer farm work, now is the time to put safety checks in place before kids take on responsibilities on the farm.
Strong employees are not always strong managers, and the difference often comes down to whether they’ve been prepared to lead people, not just do the job.
From 100 cows to 10,000, the dairy industry is a house divided. It’s time to look past the labor debate and rediscover the common bond that unites every family-owned operation.
From conferences to a quick word of appreciation, dairy producers are finding that investing in employees helps keep good people and strengthen teams.
As rural housing becomes harder to find, one Wisconsin dairy is building more than a workforce by providing homes for nearly all of its employees and helping families put down roots in the community.
Securing the “Made in the USA” label requires more than technology; it demands a stable, legal workforce and a national policy that recognizes dairy’s 365-day harvest reality.
As the gap between federal policy and dairy’s year-round reality widens, leaders in Texas and Idaho warn that a structural labor deficiency is pushing the industry toward a breaking point.
As dairy farms collect more data than ever, the real challenge is helping the next generation cut through the noise and focus on the signals that drive better decisions.
Nominate the innovators and advocates redefining dairy. Apply by August 1 for a chance to win an all-paid trip to the 2026 Milk Business Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.
When a good employee’s behavior changes, knowing how to respond can be challenging, especially when the right answer is not clear.
Keeping good employees is not always about pay. Trust, communication and everyday interactions play a bigger role in whether employees stay engaged and committed to their work.
As state mandates dismantle century-old overtime exemptions, dairy producers face a squeeze play between rising labor costs, workforce shortages and the high-stakes push for automation.
Shift from managing tasks to leading people: Experts reveal the blueprint for building an elite dairy team through behavioral science, organizational development and disciplined accountability.
Facing a critical labor crisis, dairy leaders are backing the Dignity Act to secure a stable workforce and end 40 years of legislative paralysis before the political window closes.
Winter’s the perfect time to hit pause, gather your team and turn last season’s frustrations into actionable improvements for the year ahead.
Putting off letting go of the wrong employee often makes problems harder to fix later.
Whether in a blue or a red state, the message to Washington is the same: the U.S. dairy and agricultural sectors cannot remain globally competitive while their workforce remains in the shadows.
From styling hair to managing a herd of 650 cows, Justine Holland has traded her salon chair for the barn and found a career she loves.
A federal audit wiped out Drumgoon Dairy’s staff, exposing agriculture’s labor crisis. This South Dakota farm’s labor struggle highlights the urgent need for immigration reform to sustain the U.S. food supply.
This South Dakota dairy is a beacon of prosperity. From their calves to their 6,200 cows, comprehensive monitoring and a focus on healthy and productive animals drive success forward.
Conflict on the farm is a normal part of working with people, and if it’s addressed early and handled respectfully, it can help teams work better together.
Looking ahead to the new year, the reliance on human capital will only intensify. The conversation within the dairy community is increasingly centered on not just finding employees but cultivating talent.
Dairy’s future hinges on immigration reform. Labor is the top challenge with immigrant workers milking over two-thirds of cows. Pragmatic, bipartisan solutions are vital for sustainability.
Three dairymen at the MILK Business Conference explain how steady, intentional decisions around people, technology and key metrics are helping their farms stay competitive and resilient.
The future of the dairy industry is rife with opportunity. Gregg Doud with NMPF highlighted the industry’s strides forward, its present challenges and the promising path ahead.
Federal government will cut the bureaucracy to support the dairy industry, focused on tougher measures to stop major animal disease problems and improve labor availability.