If there’s a phrase that rings true in the ears of any business owner or manager, it’s that “a business is only as good as its people.” And in a world where automation is rapidly transforming many industries, the cattle business remains one of the few that still relies heavily on people.

A quick Google search will turn up dozens of quotes and plenty of advice about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are positive and who will challenge and support you. Unlike a lot of other information you can find online, those pieces of advice are completely true.

How you respond to stress defines you. It shapes your leadership, relationships and ultimately, your business’ success. The way you handle pressure doesn’t just affect your decisions – it affects everyone around you. Your employees, partners and family feel the ripple effects of your reactions, for better or worse.

As the average age for Idaho producers slowly rises – 56.6 years old in 2022, according to USDA – Milo is among the 9% of Idaho’s farmers and ranchers under age 35. “In the 30-mile radius around our farm, there are not a lot of young farmers,” he says. “There’s maybe three coming back to farm with dad, including me.” It’s no wonder, with commodity prices failing to offset rising costs of land and inputs.

Dairy producers and industry professionals traveling to the Western Dairy Management Conference were greeted with a familiar sight – a snowy arrival into Reno, Nevada. Despite the weather’s early April Fools' joke, the networking opportunities and variety of presentation topics provided something for each of the more than 1,100 registered attendees to enjoy.

Another growing season is about to begin. For many of us, the sight of new plants emerging from the soil after a long winter instills within us a renewed hope.

Are your state representatives farmers or ranchers? Does your state senator come from a career in ag? Does anyone from your legislative district even have ties to production agriculture? According to Doug Jones, state representative from 1985-2005, for the 2025 session, he counts around 20 members of both houses as agriculturalists.

Outgoing Dairy Business Association (DBA) President Lee Kinnard welcomed more than 400 people to the Dairy Strong conference on Jan. 16 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The conference featured two keynote presentations and multiple breakout sessions focused on a broad range of topics from sustainability to policy.

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Executive Director Shelly Mayer set the tone for an engaging three days when she stated, “You can’t have a winning team with a losing mindset.”