Milk Business Conference

Empowering Your Dairy Team: Insights on Leadership and Trust from Leading Farm Managers

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:41:46 GMT

Behind every successful operation stands a team of dedicated and talented leaders who make pivotal decisions daily that aid in the overall success of that dairy farm. At the 2025 Milk Business Conference, two remarkable farm managers, Jason Anderson, with Double A Dairy in Idaho, and Brandon Beavers, with Full Circle Jerseys, in Texas spoke about essential skills and approaches needed to manage complex agricultural enterprises effectively.

Anderson brings his own unique blend of expertise to the table, combining nutrition consulting and dairy management. His role demands wearing many hats, ensuring daily operations align with the farm’s goals.

“We touch base with all the managers every day,” he emphasizes, outlining the importance of regular communication to preempt potential issues.

Meanwhile, Beavers manages an extensive operation in the Texas Panhandle, encompassing dairy, beef feedlot and a custom forage business. Initially hired as the CFO due to his ag finance background, Beaver’s role has evolved to include overseeing daily management tasks.

“We’ve outsourced a lot of that functionality,” he notes, explaining the shift in his responsibilities.

Empowering Teams in Dairy Operations
A critical aspect of running a successful dairy operation is empowering the team. Both Anderson and Beavers understand that managing teams requires a combination of trust, clear communication and appreciation.

“You have to know your employees; they have to feel like you actually care about them, and then you can challenge them,” Anderson shares, noting this approach fosters an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to excel. Establishing a clear culture and setting out the vision are crucial steps in this process.

Beaver’s method involves building a culture of empowerment and trust.

“Managing teams is a big part of your day to day,” he says. Recognizing achievements and celebrating milestones, such as hosting barbecues for employees, is an integral part of this strategy.

Building Trust and Relationships
Building a strong employer-employee relationship is indispensable in the agricultural sector.

“Thank yous go a really long way,” Anderson says. This simple act of acknowledgment can strengthen workplace relationships and improve morale.

Beavers echoes this sentiment, noting how necessary it is for employees to feel like a valued part of the family.

“We ask a lot of these special people to work for us that are family,” he says, emphasizing that showing appreciation is more than just good practice; it’s essential for long-term success.

The insights shared by this duo provide a valuable glimpse into the challenges and rewards of managing complex dairy operations. Their leadership approaches demonstrate that a successful farm is not just about productivity and profits but also about fostering a supportive and empowered work environment. For anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills in the agricultural industry, these farm managers offer a blueprint for success.

Your Next Read:
How Top-Deck Holsteins Produces 33,500 Pounds of Milk from 700 Cows

New Research Exposes Stagnant Biosecurity Efforts in the U.S. Dairy Industry

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:20:34 GMT

When it comes to biosecurity, U.S. dairy farmers are more reactive than proactive and some neglect the basics, making operations vulnerable to evolving disease threats, according to new research released Tuesday at MILK Business Conference .

The study found farm hygiene and herd health aren’t top of mind on all farms and one-third of farms don’t proactively review their biosecurity plans indicating a potential lack of ongoing commitment or adaptation.

There is a silver lining: More than 70% of large dairies say they are already working on improvements, meaning some in the industry are prioritizing biosecurity.

The recent research conducted by Farm Journal, which surveyed more than 300 dairy producers, looks at trends and potential vulnerabilities that might be affecting dairy farms nationwide. As disease challenges such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), New World screwworm (NWS) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) continue to mount, biosecurity remains a critical concern for the industry.

“We need biosecurity efforts to be more impactful at the ground level. Not only to prevent major outbreaks, but to even protect employees and families from the things being taken home every day,” says Kirk Ramsey, Neogen’s professional services veterinarian who reviewed the biosecurity survey results.

Biosecurity Plans Lag Behind Threats

The survey reveals even among farms with established biosecurity strategies, commitment to reviewing and adapting these plans is lacking. While 68% of farmers with at least 250 dairy cows report having a biosecurity plan, 34% admit they do not review their plans regularly.

(Farm Journal)

On a positive note, 72% of dairy operators with 250-plus cows report they are currently making improvements to their biosecurity versus 58% of smaller dairy operators. Those producers are making improvements for a host of reasons, including recent on-farm or neighboring farm disease outbreaks, veterinarian recommendation and government or regulatory authority guidelines.

One respondent shares because their farm is a “closed herd” they’re not making any improvements to their biosecurity plan. All of this hints at a broader problem: Ongoing biosecurity practices might not be keeping pace with evolving threats.

Back to the Basics With Farm Security

The survey also uncovers significant gaps in fundamental farm security. More than 20% of surveyed dairies neglect to secure access to barns and animal housing. Monitoring or restricting visitor access is also a blind spot for 16% of producers, and only 33% of producers use camera surveillance to oversee their facilities. Additionally, 38% fail to control or limit access to areas where feed is stored or provided.

(Farm Journal)

Gaps in Hygiene and Herd Health

When it comes to farm hygiene and animal health practices, 72% of larger dairy operations have hand-washing stations included in their biosecurity protocol, and 75% use separate equipment for handling feed and manure. Even though more than half of respondents use technology, such as herd activity monitoring systems, to help identify sick animals, the overall picture suggests room for improvement in daily hygiene and health protocols.

(Farm Journal)

Training and Education Should Be Proactive

The approach to biosecurity training also calls for reform. The findings show a reactive pattern, with 32% of farms providing training only in response to biosecurity issues, while another 30% conduct quarterly meetings. These figures reveal substantial portions of the industry lack consistent, proactive staff education, an essential pillar of effective biosecurity management.

Chief Science Officer Jamie Jonker, Ph.D., with National Milk Producers Federation says biosecurity on dairy farms is a continuous process that requires proactive updates and employee education to keep pace with evolving disease threats.

“The National Dairy FARM Program offers comprehensive biosecurity materials and evaluation tools as well as certified FARM Biosecurity evaluators who can draft tailored plans and guide training to ensure consistent implementation,” he says. “Leveraging these resources helps producers stay ahead of risks and maintain a strong, resilient operation.”

(Farm Journal)

Cybersecurity: An Emerging Concern

Beyond biosecurity, the increasing reliance on technology introduces cybersecurity challenges. Only 29% of farmers have collaborated with cybersecurity experts to protect their farm systems and data. As farms grow more technologically interconnected, safeguarding digital infrastructure is an emerging need.

The insights from Farm Journal’s recent research paint a clear picture for the U.S. dairy industry: In an era of escalating disease threats such as H5N1 and NWS, a reactive or static approach to protection is no longer sufficient. Ultimately, this research serves as a pivotal reminder that biosecurity and cybersecurity are not one-time tasks, but dynamic, ongoing processes demanding continuous review and proactive management.

“Improvements in biosecurity will require a paradigm shift in how we see our individual operations’ vulnerabilities,” Ramsey says. “I believe there are some misconceptions around what biosecurity looks like. For many, it’s thought of as Tyvek suits and face masks, not clean boots and coveralls, and shower-in-shower-out facilities, not limited-farm entry. There are simple ways to create biosecurity plans into every operation, and there are experts in our industry building innovative solutions to the complexities of the cattle industry.”

From Risk to Revolution: McCarty Family Farms Named 2025 Leader in Technology Award Winner

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:47:48 GMT

On the open plains of western Kansas, where the horizon stretches wide and the wind almost never stops, sits a dairy operation built on grit, risk and the belief that bold decisions can change everything. Today, McCarty Family Farms is known across the industry for its scale and cutting-edge innovation, but its story starts 1,500 miles away in a tie-stall barn in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We’re fourth-generation family dairymen, originally born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania,” says Ken McCarty, one of the four brothers who own and operate McCarty Family Farms.

For more than a century, the family milked cows in the Northeast. But in the late 1990s, their parents made a decision that would redefine the family’s future: sell nearly everything, load what they could haul and move halfway across the country to Kansas.

“All that credit is due to our parents,” Ken says. “They have a big vision, and they have some serious intestinal fortitude. My brothers and I talk about this often, and we’re not sure we would have that faith and that courage at that age — to risk it all, pick our families up, move 1,500 miles and bet it all on us. Thankfully, it works out so far.”

In 1999, the family sold just over 200 cows and their equipment to head West. The brothers say they arrived somewhat naive, and that may have been their saving grace.

“When we left Pennsylvania, we sold 212 milking cows and just our equipment,” says Clay McCarty, one of the brothers who owns and operates the farm today. “We came out here a little naive, which is good. We’re so convinced we succeed that we don’t know how to fail. And that’s good, because the first five to seven years, we’re one mistake away from failure — probably closer to extinction than we ever realize.”

Building a Culture of Commitment

Despite long days, tight margins and constant uncertainty, the McCartys found support in the people who took the leap with them.

“We’re just determined we’re not going to fail,” Clay says. “We’re very fortunate. A lot of our guys who start with us in 2000 are still with us in 2025. We’re able to create a culture early where guys are willing to sacrifice — and they see us sacrificing, working 20-hour days.”

(McCarty Family Farms)

A Second Big Leap: Processing Their Own Milk

In 2012, the McCartys took another bold step and built their own milk processing plant — a move nearly as risky as the family’s relocation.

“In 2012, when we start that, we have no idea how to run a milk processing plant,” Ken says. “But we believe it’s the right thing to do for our partnership with our customer, the right thing for our farm and our family — and thankfully, it works out.”

The plant, built in partnership with Danone North America, allows the family to add value to their milk and reach markets far beyond Kansas. The McCartys have four dairy farms today, and Danone says McCarty Family Farms’ partnership is vital, supplying milk that helps churn out Danone’s yogurts and other products.

The relationship between McCarty’s and Danone is also a model for Danone’s farmer partnerships and involves initiatives to improve sustainability, such as water conservation and soil health projects.

(McCarty Family Farms)

Innovation as a Way of Life

Since establishing their operation in Kansas, McCarty Family Farms has grown to milk around 20,000 cows across multiple states and now employs nearly 250 team members. But what truly sets the operation apart is how deeply the family embraces technology, not as a trend but as a necessity.

“When it comes to technology, we don’t jump into anything lightly,” Ken says. “We spend a lot of time vetting technology, working with industry experts, people smarter than us. And we’re always searching for technologies that can fill a gap in our business.”

Those gaps — labor shortages, market competition, demands for traceability, animal welfare and sustainability — are pushing the family to innovate continually.

“As labor becomes a bigger challenge, as markets become more competitive, as demand for increased traceability or enhanced animal welfare or optimized sustainability grows, all of that forces us to look for innovation,” Ken says. “A lot of that comes through technology, whether it’s genetic evaluations, breeding strategies based on genomics, methane capture or feed additives that reduce enteric emissions and drive down our carbon footprint.”

Ken says the ability to collect granular, cow-specific data and then act on it is fueling the operation today, and the next frontier is already in sight.

“I think a few things are really going to push our farms and our business to the next level,” Ken says. “Machine learning and artificial intelligence — using those tools to create predictive analytics and tell us what’s going to happen to a cow before it happens — and robotics. Our farms run 24/7/365 in a diminishing labor pool. Robotics allow us to keep scaling and run our farms how we want, when we want, and turn labor into a more fixed cost.”

Looking Ahead: Water and Labor Still Loom Large

For all the technological gains, two challenges remain front and center.

“Front of mind in northwest Kansas is water,” Clay says. “It’s Kansas, Nebraska, Texas — this whole Ogallala Aquifer. How we manage that moving forward massively affects how our operations run. And if you look across the nation, the big bear in the room is labor. It’s hard to get, and there’s a lot of noise around immigration.”

A Fifth Generation Steps In

Still, the McCartys remain optimistic in part because the fifth generation is already stepping into the operation, tech-savvy and ready for the challenges ahead.

“We’re trying to bring back the fifth generation,” Clay says. “We’re a pretty young group. Ken’s in his early 40s, so there’s a lot of life left in us. We’re going to have to continue to diversify and be innovative and adopt the technologies that come our way.”

(McCarty Family Farms)

A Family That Redefined What a Dairy Can Be

From a small Pennsylvania barn to a high-tech dairy powerhouse on the High Plains, the McCarty family doesn’t just operate a dairy; they redefine the possibilities of modern milk production. They blend tradition with technology, risk with resilience, and vision with action.

For their continued leadership and groundbreaking commitment to innovation, McCarty Family Farms is the 2025 Milk Business Conference Leader in Technology Award winner.

GenoSource Has Grown Into One of the Most State-of-the-Art Dairies You'll Find in the U.S.

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 22:11:18 GMT

The Milk Business Leader in Technology Award is given to a farm that focuses on the implementation of technology to improve dairy operations in terms of ROI, labor, time management, etc. GenoSource was named the 2024 Milk Business Leader in Technology Award Winner during the 2024 MILK Business Conference in December.
_______________________________________________________________

At first glance, these two might just look like typical business partners, but peel back the layers, and it’s clear Tim Rauen and Kyle Demmer are more than just that.

“We’re coworkers, we’re partners and we’re best friends,” says Kyle Demmer, COO of GenoSource. “Pretty much everything we do, we kind of bounce ideas off each other and just feed off each other.”

Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource, and Kyle Demmer, COO of GenoSource, give a tour of their facilities where they milk 4,000 cows milk in a 90-stall rotary parlor. Their cows are milked 3x/day and average 90 lbs/day with a 4.5% Butterfat and a 3.5% Protein.

(Mike Byers )

It’s a partnership in every sense, but the dairy is also anything but typical.

GenoSource all started with a dream a decade ago; a dream to have a company created by dairy producers for dairy producers. The vision seemed simple but was complex in reality. The dairy farmers wanted to create a modern cow but one that excelled in a freestall environment, had fewer health issues and could convert feed at an efficient rate.

“And now we’re 10 years into this partnership and GenoSource, and I don’t think anyone would change a thing about it,” says Tim Rauen, CEO of GenoSource.

The partnership now involves 8 families, whom all have a love for Holsteins and share a goal of creating a more sustainable future for the next generation.

(GenoSource)

An Early Believer in Genomics
A decade into the partnership, GenoSource has grown into more than these families ever imagined. The partnership now involves eight families, who all love Holsteins and share a goal of creating a more sustainable future for the next generation.

“Being an early believer in genomics, I followed technology, graduated college in 2008, and I told myself we got to follow technology; we’ve got to lead technology for the industry, and we drove right into it,” Rauen says. “We had a lot of naysayers that said, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to work. You shouldn’t go this direction,’ but we did. We put our foot on the gas, and we put the hammer down with it.”

To achieve the highest possible results, GenoSource prides their operation on the integrity of their day-to-day work, their capability to fill the next industry-leading demand and the philosophy of breeding a more profitable cow by investing in some of the world’s greatest genetics. GenoSource believes that genetic advancement is what will help develop the ideal cow for the future.

(Russ Hnatusko )

By homing in on the genetics early on with genomic testing, it’s their ability to grasp onto a plethora of technologies that’s taken this dairy to the next level.

“From a genetics standpoint, we took the herd that we bought, we put embryos into them and ran an extensive embryo program from day one to roll the herd over to the kind of cows we believed in milking,” Rauen says. “We were milking 2,200 cows at the time, and when we came in to it, we were milking about 70 lb. per cow with a 3.4% butterfat and a 2.8% protein. So since then, we’re at 95 lb. per cow. We’re at a 4.6% fat in a 3.5% protein.”

A Growth Mindset
GenoSource expects to be milking 4,800 cows by next summer, as GenoSource excels at improving genetics, cow comfort, nutrition and management, all through technology.

“On the genetics side of things, I look at genomic testing, I look at IVF work,” Rauen says. “Then, I go into cow comfort. We utilize the tunnel ventilation side of things. I go into the parlor. There’s many tools inside the parlor that the technology has advanced over the years. And then on the management side, there’s many things from the database side of things and monitoring tools that are cow monitoring collars. There’s multiple levels of that. So, all four of those have many, many layers of technology, and I don’t think you can ignore any of those. And you just got to look at all of them and see how you can improve the herd.”

Barns Packed With Technology
Their barns are also packed with technology. The dairy installed tunnel ventilation and smart control in 2021, as the dairy was forced to rebuild after the devastating derecho tore through their farm in august of 2020.

“Prior to the derecho, we were looking at putting tunnel ventilation in,” Rauen says. “We were looking at adding another barn to the facility as we want to grow and melt more cows. And it was that time where when we had to do that remodel, it pretty much forced our hand and said, ‘Hey, let’s go get tunnel ventilation done to our barns.’”

The team decided to expand the barns to add additional rows, which Rauen says was a big change. And while it was frightening financially to make that decision, he’s glad they did.

New construction across GenoSource are signs of more progress underway today, with GenoSource in the middle of putting in a new methane digester, a new maternity barn and a dry cow calving facility.

(Mike Byers )

New Construction: Signs of More Progress Underway
Today, new construction at their dairy is a sign of more progress underway, with GenoSource in the middle of building a methane digester, as well as a new maternity barn.

“We’re also building a new dry cow calving facility. We feel it’s so important when these cows come out day one that everything’s done properly from the cleanliness to colostrum. And also taking care of that cow, so she’s ready to make milk for a full lactation,” Rauen says. “The barn is going to be fully ventilated and have a sprinkler system. There’s a lot of new ideas we’re putting into those facilities, because we’re always looking for ways to increase the cow comfort side of things.

With technology at their fingertips, GenoSource is constantly monitoring their operations.

(Russ Hnatusko )

Work Smarter, Not Harder
The progress hasn’t always been easy, but just look around GenoSource’s state-of-the-art facility, and you can see those investments are paying off.

“Sometimes you need to work smarter, not harder,” Demmer says. “We have the smart sort gate, we have the collars; it makes a lot of people’s jobs a lot easier, and you can be way better at your job.”

With tech like Farmfit, which helps them constantly monitor their animals, it’s that technology that helps the dairy produce a better a better environment for the cows, and it also helps them retain employees.

“Three years ago, we used to lock every all the cows up and give repro shots, vaccines, breed everything out here in the barns,” Demmer says. “Now, we never lock the cows up. We put them in the sort gate and let the cows come to us. As far as injuries and employee safety, it’s all huge. You don’t have to worry about chasing the cows around. I think there’s a huge cost savings, too, and it’s way safer for the cows and the people.”

Cow Comfort is Key
GenoSource has created an environment where these cows are content, which might be the biggest sign of success any dairy can have.

“Some things that excite me the most are the cows are happy,” Rauen says. “So, when you have happy cows, they help pay the bills, and you can come out here 365 days a year, and cows are out here making milk. I always have the motto, ‘you take care of the cows, they’ll take care of you.’”

A dairy that knows no limits, it’s embracing technology that’s allowing GenoSource create new opportunities on their farm.

“Honestly, technology helps you get through some of those challenges, and we’re able to pull the data from different things,” Rauen says. “I think we’re ready for the next 10 years.

That is why GenoSource is the 2024 Milk Business Leader in Technology Award winner.

How a Wisconsin Dairy Farmer Built a Social Media Following By Connecting Ag to Consumers

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:33:56 GMT

As row crop producers continue to struggle with low commodity prices and rising input costs, life in the dairy world is taking a turn for the better. As co-host Tyne Morgan states on the latest episode of the Unscripted podcast , “Dairy is back, baby!” The episode is the first live production of the podcast, which was done at this week’s MILK Business Conference at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Newly released USDA data shows in 2023 America’s dairy consumption returned to 1950s levels at 661 lb. per person. Record-breaking cheese consumption and increases in butter, cottage cheese and yogurt sales have all helped add to domestic demand, putting smiles on the faces of dairy producers.

“Cottage cheese is having a moment,” guest Annaliese Wegner tells Morgan and co-host Clinton Griffiths on the podcast. Better known on social media as Modern Day Farm Chick, Wegner and her husband, Tom, attended the conference and made time for a special appearance on Unscripted. With 63,000 followers on Instagram and 148,000 on Facebook, Wegner is a leading social media influencer for the agriculture industry. While humor is a big part of her appeal, she was inspired more by anger to begin posting online, initially through a blog.

“More and more of my friends on Facebook were sharing things about agriculture that weren’t true and it made my blood boil,” she recalls. “When I first started, my goal was to bust myths and share facts, to talk about what modern day farming is.” She soon realized that a softer approach was a better way to achieve her goal. Shifting her focus to posts about daily life on the family farm as well as about her hobbies, interests and raising twins, she found a growing audience. “You build connections,” she says. “You build trust. So when I do talk about farming, they believe what I say.”

Bridging the gap between ag producers and consumers remains a cornerstone of her social media efforts. As for the often humorous tone of her posts, she says it comes naturally. “Life is funny,” she says. “Farming is funny. Do we want to get angry about it and let it ruin our day or do we want to laugh about it and move on?”

For ag producers interested in creating their own social media presence, Wegner advises, “Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to make it the perfect post. People just want to see you and what you do in your life and on your farm. They just want to relate to another person.”

Watch the episode of Unscripted

U.S. Ag, Food Industry Groups Express Significant Concerns About Trump's Proposed Mass Deportation Plans

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:58:39 GMT

U.S. ag and food industry groups are expressing significant concerns about Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans. These groups worry that such actions could have severe consequences for the U.S. food system and economy.

Key concerns

Labor shortage: The U.S. agricultural sector heavily relies on immigrant labor, with estimates suggesting that 50% to 70% of farmworkers are undocumented. Mass deportations would dramatically reduce the available workforce, potentially crippling agricultural production.
Economic disruption: Farmers and industry advocates argue that a crackdown on undocumented immigrants could bring their businesses to a halt. The American Farm Bureau Federation has stated that “Enforcement-only immigration reform would cripple agricultural production in America.”
Food supply disruption: There are concerns that mass deportations could “decimate our nation’s food supply and economy,” according to some politicians and advocates.
Rising food prices: A reduction in the agricultural workforce could lead to unharvested crops and decreased food production, potentially driving up food prices for consumers.
Broader economic impact: The loss of millions of workers would not only affect agriculture but could disrupt the nation’s economy.

Ag industry groups recognize the crucial role that immigrant workers play in the U.S. food system. They emphasize that these workers often take on physically demanding jobs that many American-born workers are unwilling to do. The Farm Bureau has noted the difficulty in finding American workers attracted to farm jobs, which are often challenging, seasonal, and transitory.

Small farmers and urban farmers also express concern, highlighting the importance of immigrant labor in maintaining the current food system. They worry that mass deportations would make it extremely difficult to find workers willing to perform the necessary labor under often difficult conditions.

Possible Outcomes

If mass deportations were to occur, industry groups foresee several potential outcomes:

• Reduced agricultural production and possible food shortages of some commodities
• Increased reliance on food imports, making the U.S. more vulnerable to price fluctuations and international trade policies
• Accelerated adoption of automation in agriculture, which comes with its own set of challenges and potential job losses
• Economic instability in rural communities that heavily depend on agricultural jobs

Minnesota Federal Reserve President Weighs In

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari voiced concern about the impact it wold have on inflation and the broad economy.

“If you just assume people are working - either working in farms or working in factories - and those businesses now lose employees, that would probably cause some disruption,” Kashkari said
while appearing on “Face the Nation” last weekend.

“The implications are not entirely clear to me,” Kashkari added. “Ultimately it is going to be between the business community and Congress and the executive branch to figure out how they would adjust.”

At Just 31 Years Old, He Bought The Dairy Farm From His Parents. And In The 1st Year, The Growth Has Been Incredible

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:21:35 GMT

On the edge of a bustling and bursting Washington D.C., you’ll find a 4th generation dairy farm. The Smith family ventured to the Remington, Virginia area in the 1970s to uncover a land of opportunity.

“I’m the second-generation on this farm, but I’m the fourth generation of dairy farmers and Ben will be the fifth generation,” says Ken Smith, of Cool Lawn Farm in Fauquier County, Virginia.

Growing and evolving has become the way of life for Cool Lawn, LLC. Ben Smith, the fifth-generation to dairy in the Smith family, says he always knew he wanted to be a dairy farmer, but it took exploring throughout college to remind him he was destined for the farm.

Ben interned at dairies across the country while in college, and after graduation, he decided to return home to continue the family’s heritage.

“I thought it was great for him to be able to come into a progressive herd, but to start on the ground with the grazing operation was a good experience,” Ken says. “And it really brought him home to what he has become today, which is a successful dairy farmer.”

The First Signs of Growth

The farm’s grazing dairy is where Ben was able to get his feet wet right after college.

“It was a really good opportunity for me, because I had there I was alone, I had the opportunity to do well and to fail, to learn what works and to learn what doesn’t work,” Ben says. “I credit that to being kind of a one-man show over there and taking care of the cows and to developing some of my animal husbandry skills today.”

The dairy is still a 100% registered Holstein herd today, milking 800 cows, three times a day.

“We consolidated herds after we built a new freestall barn. And now what was a grazing dairy is now our dry cow facility,” explains Ben. “We’ve grown on the registered side to marketing genetics and selling registered bulls to either AI or other dairymen. We’ve also grown in grain production. What started as a 200-acre farm is now a 1,000 acre contiguous block of land. And we’re crop farming 2,500 acres.”

The family continued to make improvements to the freestall barn, but the Smiths simply outgrew the space.

“The building was built in 1967. So, it had served its purpose. And today, we’re milking in a BouMatic Rotary,” Ben says.

A Humbling Start

Ben will be the first to admit, the growth may be constant on the farm today, but when he first came home, there were bumps along the way.

“Those first few years back to the farm full-time were challenging,” he says. “You get out of school and you have all these big ideas that you learned in college, and we need to do this and do that now. It’s kind of humbling to come back and somebody tell you, ‘Hey, you need to slow your roll. Rome wasn’t built the day.’”

Remarkable Accomplishments in Year One

While his growth may have happened at a slower pace than what he originally hoped, his track record is already quite impressive, especially considering at just 31 years old, Ben purchased the operation from his parents.

“My gosh, he’s done a lot in the first year,” his dad says. “He expanded the calf raising facility. He saved us money right off the bat, and started going to bulk products. And he built a roof over the new bulk products.”

His dad says Ben also focuses on employee retention, launching training sessions on the farm.

“He created an environment that the employees would feel comfortable in,” Ken says. “He brought in a translator so that everybody understood what he was trying to accomplish. He gave me challenges. I handled things differently. Him and I, sometimes we’re black and white. And sometimes we’re just like a Holstein, we’re all mixed together.”

Keen Sense of Business Reaped From the Generations Before

Ben’s keen sense of business quickly became a tool to the farm’ progress.

“Our philosophy is if you’re not growing, you’re going backwards. So, the plan is always to grow. But growth could be a lot of different things,” Ben says.

His plans for the family farm involves more growth and expansion. And the growth here isn’t just happening in cow numbers. Ben says the goal is to become more efficient at every angle of the farm.

“It could be increase the rolling herd average from 32,000 to 34,000, increase our solids from you know seven pounds to eight. What can we do to be more efficient?”

Ben may be focused on the future, but for this fifth-generation farmer, he’ll always cherish the past.

“It starts with my granddad,” Ben says. “And then my father, Ken. They were the best mentors and coaches I ever could ask for.”

Like father, like son, those sweet sentiments are also shared by Ben’s dad.

“I’ve been really, really proud. If I talk too much about it, I will tear up, of just how proud I am of the young man he’s become.”

In just a decade on the farm, Ben’s journey has been one of dedication and innovation, which is what makes Ben Smith the 2023 Milk Business Conference Young Producer of the Year .

Labor Can Be Dairy Farmers' Biggest Challenge - Wisconsin Dairy Is Getting Creative To Keep Employees

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:24:00 GMT

The dairy sector has faced tight labor for decades, and now with immigration and border issues, it’s a topic getting even more political. One dairy policy expert says the U.S. dairy industry needs to change the conversation around immigration by tying it back to labor.

Jackie Klippenstin, senior VP and Chief Government and Industry Relations Officer for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), says the only way to make meaningful change is to stop talking about it as an immigration issue.

“I believe we need to separate the issue of immigration from farm labor because when we talk about immigration, it’s very emotional for a lot people, and it means something different for everybody,” Klippenstein told the audience at the 21st annual Milk Business Conference held in Las Vegas. “In dairy, and in agriculture, we’re trying to find people who want to come work on our farm. It’s about visas. It’s about making sure we’ve got folks on the operation who can deliver nutrition that consumers want. It’s not an immigration story.”

As ag labor and immigration continue to be separate – and sometimes controversial – topics in Washington, dairy farmers are trying to find new and innovative ways to answer the labor issues they face. For example, Katie Grinstead, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, is getting creative in how she attracts and retains employees.

“There’s not one single ingredient to retaining and keeping employees, it takes a big mixture of a lot of different ingredients put together,” says Grinstead of Vir-Clar Farm in Fond du Lac, Wis.

From a rideshare program to serving hot meals during their busy times on the farm, Grinstead is trying several different things to address the farm’s labor needs, while also making their employees feel valued. One of the most successful programs they’ve implemented so far is helping employees beyond the farm.

“I think my favorite program has been English classes,” she says. “It’s something brand new to the farm that we started and we offer English classes to our employees. Seeing the teamwork, the excitement and the enthusiasm of the employees working together to try to learn English has been awesome.”

Out of 30 employees, she says 23 have signed up to take English classes, which Grinstead says are already paying off.

“The question in the class one day was, ‘What is your zip code?’ The next morning, I asked one of our employees in English what his zip code is and he replied with the correct zip code. I was like, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ I asked, ‘Are you learning a lot?’ and he said, ‘Every single day.’ It gave me goosebumps because I truly knew he meant it. He understood what I said, which is huge,” she says.

As the Grinsteads think outside the box, it’s proof the little things can pay dividends in the end.

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