Whether it’s a five-man double-50, a small flat barn or a rotary, night shifts consistently show the highest deviation from standard operating procedures (SOPs). But the real question is, why? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

Labor shortages and high turnover remain among the top concerns keeping dairy owners and operators up at night. In 2026, the challenge is not only finding workers but also keeping them engaged and committed to one of the most vital roles on the farm.

Nick Vande Weerd runs Pleasant Dutch Dairy in South Dakota and serves as vice chair for AgriBank. Progressive Dairy Editor Walt Cooley caught up with him after he spoke at the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference, and he had one message that stopped Cooley: You can't expand your way out of a cost problem.

How can farms rise above financial risks and a volatile market to eventually move toward growth? Three dairy producers opened up about their journeys and offered honest insight during a recent panel discussion.

Want to reduce your stress hormone levels, improve your cardiac function, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, slow down neurodegeneration and become more resilient? There’s a simple solution, backed by research, and it’s a practice you can do in the barn, office, truck or at home: practice gratitude.