Camilo H. Parada Rojas has joined Cornell University as an assistant professor of field crops pathology with extension responsibilities. He grew up in Colombia and trained as a plant pathologist within the U.S. land-grant system, where he learned to approach disease management through research, extension, and direct engagement with growers.

In the last column, we talked about how valuable and important it is to have vision in our businesses. I want you to know that, in my opinion, vision is even more important outside of business.

This year’s survey of dairy producers and industry leaders from coast to coast paints a fairly grim picture of the current state of the U.S. dairy industry. However, dairy producers are the eternal optimists – especially during bad times – and there is plenty that they are excited about.

I’ve always admired barn cats for their savvy. At any one time, we’d have between 10 and 20 cats making a home of sorts in our old tiestall barn. We’d pour milk from a treated cow into a dish once a day, but otherwise, it was up to them to navigate the world. They had to keep themselves from cattle hooves, tractor tires and the attention of coyotes.

The glass on the table is half full of water, is still half full no matter how you look at it. Looking at the glass half full or half empty is a state of mind.

My grandfather, Paul K. Heck, farmed almost his whole life. He was one who enjoyed working with livestock and crops.

In early 2026, one of the bright spots in the U.S. dairy industry is the organic sector, where a nationwide shortage of organic milk has resulted in higher mailbox prices.