By Gary Weihs & Julie Kanak
We recently returned from the ADPI/ABI Annual Conference with one thing top of mind: dairy is changing — fast. From surging protein levels in milk to export uncertainty and new mega-facilities breaking ground across the U.S., the industry is entering a new chapter. And while markets, machines, and molecules are evolving, the critical lever for future success is something far more human: leadership.
Markets & Milkfat: Strategy Under Pressure
Industry leaders are navigating real volatility. Tariffs and global market dynamics are forcing companies to reassess their go-to-market strategies. Meanwhile, milk itself is changing — cows today are producing more protein and butterfat than ever, thanks to innovations in genetics and feed. These shifts are opportunities, but only if organizations have leaders who can interpret complexity, pivot strategically, and mobilize teams across functions.
Facilities Are Modernizing — Is Your Leadership?
Farms are consolidating. A company milking 100,000 cows isn’t a dream — it’s a growing reality. These scale-ups demand a new type of leadership: leaders who can run ag operations like Fortune 500s. That means building teams with expertise in genetics, nutrition, sustainability, and data — and giving them the tools to lead through change.
The People Side of Performance
At the executive level, we’re seeing more demand for coaching, career pathing, and leadership development than ever before. Why? Because turnover is costly, and continuity matters. Talent mobility, internal growth, and culture-building are not HR nice-to-haves — they’re strategic imperatives.
What Great Dairy Leaders Look Like Today
The most effective leaders in dairy and adjacent industries now combine ag fluency with corporate agility. They understand not just cows and contracts, but capital allocation, global risk, and cross-functional leadership. They’re curious, coachable, and comfortable managing through ambiguity.
Final Takeaway: Invest in Your People Like You Invest in Your Plants
As the milk gets richer, the business gets more complex. And that means talent — from the production floor to the boardroom — is becoming dairy’s next great differentiator.
It’s time to think of leadership not just as a cost center, but as core infrastructure. Connect with us today to discuss your leadership needs.
