Labor Crisis Solved? Dairy Leaders Reveal 3 Keys to Workforce Retention
Experts from the World Dairy Expo panel share how investing in People, Technology, and Training is driving operational efficiency and securing the industry’s future. The persistent challenge of workforce shortages in the dairy industry is being tackled head-on by progressive producers, as highlighted by a recent panel at the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperators event. Dairy leaders are converging on a single, powerful strategy: a synergistic commitment to people, technology, and comprehensive training. Addressing this labor deficit is now a pivotal concern for producers, manufacturers, and agribusiness analysts focused on sustaining high-volume production and efficiency across global dairy supply chains.
Dr. Megan Schrupp, co-owner of NexGen Dairy, emphasizes that success begins with placing value on human capital. Her core strategy centers on "finding good people, putting them in the right spots, and giving them the tools that they need is key." This approach extends beyond mere hiring; it incorporates the rapid adoption of dairy technology to maximize existing labor. For instance, her farm is adding four parlor stalls to increase capacity without hiring extra staff, showcasing how strategic tech deployment enhances labor efficiency.
Fellow producer Ron Fowler, a first-generation dairy farmer, validates technology’s role as a game-changer and a significant labor saver. His farm’s investment in advanced systems, including robotic and automated heat detection technology, has resulted in improved farm operations and significant time savings. This shift allows farm management to move away from tedious manual tasks toward more effective, focused management of animal health and overall conception rates, improving dairy economics by optimizing biological metrics.
Laura Raatz, co-owner and herd manager at Wagner Farms Inc., focuses her strategy on the organizational culture itself. She maintains that employees are “the most valuable thing on this planet," and their success underpins the entire farm operation. Raatz’s people-driven philosophy includes substantial investment in training and mentoring programs designed to equip team members with transferrable skills. Her ultimate goal is to create such a desirable workplace that the farm has a waiting list of eager applicants, directly addressing chronic dairy labor shortages.
The experts universally agree that the industry must embrace innovation while balancing it with traditional commitment to employee and animal welfare. The convergence of these three elements—motivated teams, empowering technology, and continuous skill development—is essential not just for filling jobs, but for "building a team that can grow and invest with our dairy." This cohesive, future-forward perspective provides a robust roadmap for the international dairy community to secure long-term operational viability and sustained growth.
