Fourth-generation California dairyman Nevin Lemos credits his success to an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset that began at a young age. From selling sweet corn to dairy farming and now producing teat dip, Lemos wants to "build a sustainable and personally fulfilling business."

The 2026 Central Plains Dairy Expo commenced with a welcome reception and BlackHawk concert on March 17 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The following two days were filled with breakout sessions covering fly control, technology, herd health, immigration law, artificial intelligence (AI) and more.

Nearly 900 attendees convened in Red Deer, Alberta, for the 2026 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar on March 10-13. Sessions covered a variety of topics, such as milk components, heat stress, feeding trace minerals, calf management, biosecurity and more.

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.

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.

Labor challenges, low milk prices and tighter financial margins on many dairy operations are top of mind for producers heading into 2026, as well as growing concerns about labor availability, labor policy and staying competitive with surrounding non-agriculture industries.