Three years ago, Indiana dairyman Brian Houin walked by all the colorful milking robots on display at World Dairy Expo and thought to himself, “They’re for smaller dairies, not larger ones.”

Despite the challenges in the dairy industry, the companies that provide and service the equipment for dairy farms remain focused on their role. Three different suppliers speak to the challenges they face and how they have adjusted their business models to continue to support their dairy farm customers.

From cowside data to automated milking systems, dairies today are more technology-driven than ever before. But behind each box and button is a milking equipment dealer who has invested in their own future and that of the industry by leading the charge of change.

From consumable supplies, capital investment, parts and field equipment, customer service is an essential element for businesses that successfully supply dairy farms. Some businesses have learned customer service is more than just a reminder hanging on the wall in a break room.

Stagnant growth among equipment dealers is a blame game. Older dealerships view themselves as dated and old-fashioned. They blame their decline on the younger dealerships. Younger dealerships blame their struggle to grow on their inexperience and newness to the industry.

Can dairy farmers expect there to be an ag equipment dealer within 30 minutes of the farm five years from now? With tougher profit margins, the search for efficiency isn’t restricted to just dairy farmers.

Often the decision to grow or transform a dairy farm revolves around adding family or improving profitability. The same is often true for the dairy equipment industry.

Dairy goat product demand is growing and driving a need for more goat milk. Before entering the dairy goat industry, there are a number of factors to consider to make the operation a profitable one.

Dairy farmers today are looking for options to diversify the farm income stream. With labor costs and milk pricing often squeezing most of the profitability from the dairy, staying in business can mean finding new ways to utilize the skills and resources you already have.

Low milk prices combined with high costs of production, feed and energy force family farms to look for additional sources of income. Rosenholm Dairy in Cochrane, Wisconsin, combats the low milk prices and alleviates financial pressure through their composting facility.