Latest News From Leadership

Patrick Christian life calling was away from the family farm, or so he thought. Eventually, he married his two loves together—education and dairy—and has used that to help push his family’s dairy farm forward.

Leland Kootstra shares his quick list of the three areas that he sees the most successful dairy farm business owners mastering as they set themselves and their dairies apart and ahead for the future.

The conversation about how the farming business is going to be transitioned from an established generation to the next generation is a conversation these families cannot afford to put off for another day.

Kyle Scheele shares six ways constraints can be a good thing to your operation.

World Dairy Expo is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities.

The key to maximizing the return on investment of a dairy's workforce lies in the management's ability to humanize operations, understand employee needs, and deploy individual skills appropriately.

“The single most important tool to predict peak performance is a very well-developed job description,” Dave Mitchell says.

Mark Faust outlines a simple formula to improve profitability and create more value for you and the customer.

What does an incredible leader, filled with so much knowledge and wisdom, who has had his hand in the tremendous growth and advancement of an organization like Milk Source, teach employees?

The Professional Dairy Producers Annual Business Meeting is set for March 13-14 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Dairy farm owners and managers can expect a lot of networking opportunities.

Are leaders made or born? “Some people are more naturally disposed to being leaders, but it doesn’t mean they’re good at it. To be a really good leader, you're made into one through intention and exposure," she says.

Sometimes a family business's perks can be abused or expanded over time until it creates conflict.

Get to know Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. better. A full sit-down Q&A session with David Ahlem, President & CEO of Hilmar Cheese Company.

In South Dakota, you’ll find a 130-year-old dairy operation that runs on passion, perseverance and a focus on finding the right people. This dynamic trifecta is what makes up the unparalleled culture of MoDak Dairy.

The list of challenges facing animal agriculture is complex and multifaceted. This is what Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University Dairy Extension shared at the 2023 Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas. 

On January 25, 300 farm workers protested Washington’s agricultural overtime law that went into full effect on the first of the Year. This comes after a two-year phase-in.

At the IDFA Dairy Forum in Phoenix, Az., IDFA’s CEO Michael Dykes shared that to drive the growth of dairy forward will take investment in people, processors, production, innovation and sustainability.

Balancing life can often feel a lot like balancing buckets of milk. Hear how one farmer changed his perspective and metaphorically learned to carry few buckets for a more meaningful and less stressed life.

Consultant Bruce Vande Steeg has found creating a vibrant farm business starts with the leadership.

Laurenio Vitorino came to America at only 15-years-old. After facing years of hardships and bullying, he found his calling working at a nearby dairy. 34 years later, he continues to bring excellence to the table.

With rising minimum wage and other industries competing for employees, labor prices have continued to creep higher. While we want to blame overtime rules, that isn’t necessarily the only culprit.

I challenge you to find another industry that offers the same blessings as the dairy industry. Editing will not only remind you of the goodness, but it also will provide you with the fuel to tackle the year ahead.

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

In just a decade on the farm, Virginia dairy farmer Ben Smith's journey has been one of dedication and innovation, which is what makes him the 2023 Milk Business Young Producer Award winner.

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

The immigration debate has been a continued conversation that has offered little to no solutions in Washington. Meanwhile, labor continues to be a No. 1 headache that farmers from coast to coast are challenged with.

Darigold, Inc. announced that Chief Executive Officer, Joe Coote, is leaving the company, and the Board Chairman, Allan Huttema, has been named the interim CEO, effective immediately. 

Three National Young Cooperators share about their journey with training and leadership development that has helped propel them forward.

When it comes to dairy, president of Ever.Ag Insights, Phil Plourd, shared at the 2023 Milk Business Conference that we don’t have oversupply, but we do have a lot of under demand that is holding the markets back.

Sarah Beth Aubrey shares tips for effective communication and building influence before stepping into a leadership role.

Finding enjoyment working with family, youth and their community.

I often think farmers talk so much about being advocates that we sometimes we forget to ask if our children would like to be advocates for an industry that has helped raise them and one that they have grown to love, too.

When the opportunity came up for Schilling Farms to purchase a second dairy nearly 40 miles away, this meant also taking on a dozen more employees. This one tactic helped give their employees an engagement boost.

Fear of leadership is natural. That's why Sarah Beth Aubrey is sharing the best practices to get out of your own head.

From the Pipeline: Q&A with AMPI's President and CEO, Sheryl Meshke

One dairy’s unique approach to employee retention.

Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy thought leaders talked about the biggest challenges facing producers and what their takes are on risk management strategies. 

Agility — it can be the difference between those who make it in the dairy industry and those who don’t. Learning to pivot to ­the next stepping stone to success is what leading dairies, like Van Ess Dairy doing well.

Dairies are in a unique position in that they don’t often get to determine their product's consumer, much less their price. Knowing this, how do we leverage USP's in the dairy industry?

Eight questions that clarify the long-term vision that direct every-day actions so that you and your team can get on the same page, make decisions more effectively, save time and reveal income-generating opportunities.

The Milk Business Conference 2023 room block expires Monday, Nov. 6. Book your room today and make plans to travel to Vegas to learn more about the challenges and opportunities that dairy producers are faced with.

Three business-minded dairy leaders will gather together during a Farm Journal Milk Business Quarterly webinar to share advice on how to future-proof your dairy business.

Advocating for something you care about has risks. Step into leadership with these tips.

Five years ago, a 1500-cow dairy farm was on the verge of selling out, but not on their own terms. Learn what took them from being on the brink of bankruptcy to being profitable?

Michael Dykes reinforced the industry’s commitment to creating an inclusive culture that fosters professional development and empowerment for all people throughout their careers at the 2023 IDF World Dairy Summit.

There is a direct correlation between solid meetings and return on time.

Capping a 40-year-plus career, Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO, will retire at the end of this calendar year. Mulhern talks about the future of dairy, immigration reform and passing the baton to Greg Doud..

Scroll through social media and you’ll see stories of farmers sharing how they care for their cattle, land and family to others who are farther removed from agriculture. The CalfVet and AgvoKate share social media tips.

Matt Budine has found better solutions and motivated positive changes to young dairy professionals that have gone through the Dairy Challenge, and more than 1.1 million cows touched by Progressive Dairy Solutions.

The first MILK Business Conference award winners have been announced and will be recognized at the 2023 MILK Business Conference set for Nov. 28-30, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.