Dairy Industry Invests Billions in Infrastructure, but Labor Issues Loom

FD-TV’s own Tammi Arender caught up with Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (RFD-TV) — Labor shortages continue to weigh heavily on America’s dairy producers. It is a major topic of discussion at this week’s dairy industry convention in Arlington, Texas. RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender caught up with Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

According to Doud, dairy’s labor crisis is not just a staffing issue — but rather one that threatens the entire supply chain. He said $11 billion will be invested in the U.S. dairy industry nationwide through new plants and expansions of existing plants.

When it comes to connecting with consumers, the dairy industry is blending the physical with the digital. Dairy Management Inc. President and CEO Barb O’Brien said this new approach is helping farmers and brands bridge the gap between online engagement and the purchase point.

O’Brien was one of the featured speakers at this week’s National Milk Producers Convention in Arlington, Texas.

Related Stories
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
The new WOTUS proposal narrows federal jurisdiction, restores key agricultural exclusions, and gives farmers clearer permitting rules after years of regulatory uncertainty.
The ACRE Act modestly reduces farmland borrowing costs now, with more savings possible once federal guidance clarifies which loans qualify.
Higher menu prices and tax-free tips are reshaping restaurant economics, sharply lifting server take-home pay even as diners face higher out-the-door costs.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is helping connect veterans with resources to pursue careers in farming and agriculture.
Manure from a hog farm is more than just waste; it is also becoming a key renewable resource for operations.
The Dairy Checkoff’s new approach to consumer marketing helps farmers bridge the gap between physical vs. digital touchpoints and deliver more end sales.
The request follows pressure from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASIA), which called for a formal investigation into whether lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have cut into the U.S. market share.
RFD-TV farm legal expert Roger McEowen digs into the details on how to make your rural property dreams a reality — and avoid a living nightmare.

Tammi was raised on a cotton and soybean farm in Tallulah, Louisiana. In 1981, she became a TV news anchor and reporter at KNOE-TV in Monroe, Louisiana. She is also an anchor/reporter for RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on Sirius XM at their Nashville news studio, where Tammi currently resides.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

House lawmakers are expected to vote late this afternoon to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill they are voting on includes some big priorities for Rural America.
It started as a simple service project for 4-H — collect some shoes, help a few people. But for Franklin Parish High School senior Eli Rogers, it has turned into something much bigger.
Bubba and Amy Miller run Miller Cattle Company in Eros, Louisiana. After visiting other homesteading fairs, they decided to put on their own.
Tammi Arender takes us to 3 Board Farm to meet some first-generation farmers who took a leap of faith and, in the process, found a new purpose.
Bright Star Ranch continues to offer hope, connection, and healing through its equine therapy programs.
Hop in the cab with RFD-TV’s Tammi Arrender as she embarks goes Rural Road Trippin’ to Farmerville, Louisiana, for the Bayou for the Bayou D’Arbonne Folk Life Festival.