August 2026
Shaping tomorrow’s dairy: Leadership, culture, and innovation drive industry growth
Julie Berry
This article recaps key takeaways from the biennial Northeast Dairy Management Conference, themed "Shaping Tomorrow's Dairy: Leadership, Innovation, Stewardship," hosted by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association. While efficiency and profitability remain core priorities, presenters stressed that long-term success in dairy farming increasingly depends on strong workplace culture, communication, and leadership. Retired logger Bruce Vincent closed the conference with a call to rebuild public trust through empathy and storytelling rather than defensiveness. Speaker Matt Booth focused on individual attitude and consistent habits as the foundation of productive teams. Greg Bethard of High Plains Ponderosa Dairy shared lessons from a decade of farm growth, emphasizing cost discipline, planning, and culture over sheer scale. Jason A. Hunt argued that true leadership stems from influence and relationships rather than authority, introducing the concept of "caring out loud." Together, the sessions reinforce that people-centered leadership is essential to the dairy industry's future growth and resilience.
Perspectives on New York dairy industry growth
Karl Czymmek, Mike Van Amburgh and Tom Overton
New York's dairy industry is entering a period of significant growth, driven by roughly $3 billion in new and expanded dairy processing investment across the state. Meeting the resulting demand, an estimated seven to eight billion additional pounds of milk annually, raises key questions about how many more cows, and how much additional land, will be required. PRO-DAIRY researchers modeled three scenarios for reaching 10 billion pounds of added milk by 2029: business-as-usual, moderate productivity growth and aggressive productivity growth. Results show that boosting milk production and feed efficiency per cow dramatically reduces the need for new animals and land: the business-as-usual scenario requires 250,000 additional cows and 500,000 new forage acres, while the aggressive growth scenario requires essentially none of either. The authors suggest that New York's path forward lies in a middle strategy combining modest herd growth with gains in cow productivity, genetic potential and management practices, positioning the state's dairy farms to meet rising demand sustainably.
- Perspectives on New York dairy industry growth
Balancing expansion and environmental factors: A panel discussion
Kirsten Workman
This article summarizes a panel discussion at the 2026 Northeast Dairy Management Conference addressing how New York dairy farms can expand herds to meet growing processing demand while maintaining environmental balance. With 71 percent of polled attendees considering or already pursuing expansion, panelists Don Janssen, Brian Boerman, and Jason Oliver examined animal density—expressed in animal units per acre of cropland—as a key planning tool, identifying 0.8 to 1.2 au/acre as the sustainable "sweet spot" for balancing nutrients and efficiency. Discussion covered proactive strategies including strong contract grower partnerships to offset limited cropland, manure storage planning ahead of herd growth, and solids separation to manage volume and nutrients at higher densities. Panelists stressed that manure handling infrastructure and nutrient management planning must be built into expansion decisions from the outset, not treated as afterthoughts. The overarching message: sustainable growth requires aligning herd size with land access, infrastructure, and long-term partnerships, treating environmental stewardship as a core business strategy rather than a regulatory burden.
Global milk supply remains abundant
Lucas Fuess
Have you ever wondered if more fertilizer could have given you higher corn yields? Most dairy farmers would reply with a solid yes, as it is a given that corn needs nitrogen (N) to grow and yield can vary quite a bit from field to field and year to year.This article summarizes Rabobank senior dairy analyst Lucas Fuess's presentation on global and U.S. dairy market trends at the Northeast Dairy Management Conference. Global milk supply remains abundant, driven by strong production growth across major exporting regions and supported by relatively low feed prices. In the U.S., the dairy herd reached 9.645 million head this spring, the highest since the 1990s, with Rabobank forecasting 2026 milk volume up two percent year over year, marking a second consecutive year of above-average growth. Rising component levels, healthy margins, and profitable beef-on-dairy calf sales are encouraging farmers to expand and retain cows longer. Cheese and butter are expected to reach record production in 2026, while nonfat dry milk and dry whey prices remain elevated amid tighter supply. Total dairy demand rose four percent in early 2026, fueled by both domestic consumption and a surge in exports. Overall, Rabobank projects a financially profitable year for U.S. dairy farmers, with milk prices expected to hover near long-term averages.
Animal welfare and stocking density: Real-world strategies for high-performing herds
Lindsay Ferlito
This article examines stocking density recommendations and real-world management strategies for high-performing dairy herds, drawing on a panel discussion at the Northeast Dairy Management Conference. Current guidance suggests no more than 100 percent stall stocking density, at least 24 inches of feed bunk space per cow, and 3.5 to 4 inches of water space, though ideal density depends on facility design, cow size, and farm goals. Overcrowding carries documented short-term costs (reduced lying time, lower milk production, higher somatic cell counts) and long-term risks (lameness, reduced fertility). New York farmers Jon Gilbert and Bob Eichorst shared practical adaptations: added feed bunk space, increased sand bedding, stall maintenance, and worker safety measures, to manage overstocked pens. The takeaway: stocking density is dynamic and requires continual monitoring, as overcrowding's effects build slowly but can take months to reverse.
Leading, not performing: What senior dairy managers must do to build a great workforce
Richard Stup
This article by Richard Stup of Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development explores how leadership needs evolve as dairy farms grow, drawing on Ram Charan's "Leadership Pipeline" framework. As farms expand from owner-led operations to organizations with dozens of employees, leadership must shift from an obsession with production performance to an obsession with developing leaders at every level. Using the case of Sergio, a top herdsman promoted to supervisor, the article illustrates the first "leadership passage": moving from leading oneself to leading others, which requires new work values, time use, and skills such as delegating and coaching. A second case, Mary, a parlor manager turned site manager, illustrates the passage from supervisor to senior leader, requiring a shift toward leading other leaders rather than individual performers. The article closes with three actions for senior dairy managers: clarifying leadership expectations, holding supervisors accountable for leadership behaviors and actively coaching supervisors through these difficult transitions to build a sustainable workforce.
Growing agriculture's future: Engaging the next generation
Tristin Rose-Morley
A panel at the Northeast Dairy Management Conference explored how mentorship, education and hands-on experience can draw young people into agricultural careers. Panelists included Debbie Grusenmeyer of Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY, dairy farmer and educator Johanna Bossard, and Ben Conniff, co-founder of the youth lobstering program Lift All Boats. Conniff shared how his Maine-based mentorship model, which began with four students, now draws more than 100 applicants annually by lowering barriers and meeting young people where they are. Grusenmeyer discussed Cornell's Junior DAIRY LEADERS program, which has engaged more than 600 high schoolers since its founding, with more than 90% remaining in dairy or agriculture afterward. Bossard, who teaches at Hamilton Central School and SUNY Morrisville, stressed that students often don't realize agriculture offers roughly 300 career paths beyond farming itself. Panelists agreed the industry cannot wait for young people to find it; building relationships, partnerships and hands-on opportunities is essential to securing agriculture's future workforce.