What Does the Dairy Industry Need from the Next Generation of Leaders?

What does the dairy industry need from the next generation of leaders?

By: Cassy Schilter, URUS Dairy Consulting Experience Marketing Intern

MADISON, Wis. [Jan. 27, 2026] – The dairy industry is changing quickly. Markets shift; technology advances and long-standing approaches continue to evolve. In the face of constant change, the industry is left with a familiar question: how can we set ourselves up for success for what comes next.

The answer largely lies with the next generation. Through mentorship, real-world experience and hands-on learning opportunities like URUS’ Dairy Consulting Experience, young professionals can gain the skillset and resilience needed to drive the dairy business forward with confidence.

This industry is built on relationships

“Technology is evolving and unlocking new opportunities to deliver hyper-personalized, farm-focused insights,” said Sam Tauchen, North America Sales and Development Training Specialist at URUS. “But you still need a person who can relate to an individual.”

Developing soft skills, like how you connect with people, is a critical part of what industry experts like Sam are looking for in the next generation. While tools and technology will continue to change, the one thing that remains the same, especially in the dairy industry, is that it centers around people.

Sam has seen this play out in his own career. After working in a variety of sales roles and now at URUS, where he helps develop dairy consultants through internal training, he’s learned that success comes down to connection.

“While my professional career has largely been in sales, I really felt it was always education,” Sam said. “It was about getting really personalized with producers to understand their challenges and how I could bring in new approaches or ideas to help them operate more sustainably, reduce risk and produce more.”

People skills matter

The ability to connect on a personal level with producers has always been a valued skill in the dairy industry, and its importance continues to grow. Craig Walter, Senior Educator for VAS, says face-to-face conversations and active listening are critical to understanding a producer’s needs and building trust with their team.

Walter reflected on his time as a mentor at the URUS Dairy Consulting Experience, a five-day immersive program supported by experts from across URUS and its family of brands, including Alta Genetics, GENEX, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS. The experience gives college students the chance to meet peers from across the country, learn from industry mentors and work through real-world case studies to deliver insights and data-backed recommendations to producers. The program challenges students’ critical thinking skills and culminates with one participant receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Walter shared how one-of-a-kind experiences like this help shape the next generation’s ability to connect and collaborate with others to solve problems.

“You’re basically thrown into a group where you’re working on a project with somebody you might have only met a day before or even that afternoon,” Walter said. “What employers are really looking for is how you can work in any kind of environment.

Being able to work with a diverse group of people is a valuable skill. One undergraduate students and young professionals can improve through opportunities like URUS’ Dairy Consulting Experience or by getting involved on campus or in their community. Employers want team members who can take initiative and work alongside a team to reach a solution.

Get out of your comfort zone

Growth rarely happens when you stay comfortable. One of the most important skills young professionals can develop is adaptability and the willingness to step outside their comfort zone. Industry leaders, like Walter and Tauchen, agree that this is a key quality they look for as new talent enters the dairy industry.

“As we take on more challenges, we improve our ability to step out of our comfort zone,” Tauchen said. “This is where growth happens and really what our industry needs.”

“Use the things you’re comfortable with as a starting point,” Walter added. “If you want to improve your public speaking skills but getting in front of people feels uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to talk about something you’re familiar with or are really passionate about – like agriculture or dairy. It’s a great way to get experience and practice stepping out of your shell.”

Mentors make a difference

Stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to something just as important – building a network. As young professionals develop their skills, building relationships and finding mentors can make a difference when it’s time for them to find their place in the industry.

Walter noted that nowadays it’s not necessarily about what you know, but who you know. Networking and finding mentors can open doors to future careers and learning opportunities. Mentors help guide growth and knowledge for young professionals while providing perspective through challenges. They’ve been where graduates are and have learned lessons that were pivotal in their own careers, which they can now share with the next generation.

“I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the people who have given me a chance,” said Tauchen. “I’ve had more mentors just fall into place, and I didn’t realize they were mentors until much later.”

Walter shared an example of someone he recently crossed paths with. “I’ll never forget – at DCE last year, we had a student who admitted she wasn’t very familiar with DairyComp, but she was curious. She asked a lot of questions that week and found a real passion for working with data and finding answers through it. We stayed in touch, she continued to learn and grow her DairyComp knowledge, and a few months later, when a support specialist position opened, we hired her.”

Preparing tomorrow’s dairy leaders

The dairy industry shows no signs of slowing down, and the next generation will soon lead the way with fresh ideas and energy, all while building on the core values that make this industry thrive. For college students with interest in pursuing a career in dairy consulting, the URUS Dairy Consulting Experience offers a unique opportunity to start.

This all-expenses-paid program serves as a launching pad for undergraduate students eager to gain real-world consulting experience alongside industry experts. After completing the 2026 program, Alexis H. shared, “I’ve been able to grow my network with peers and industry experts while gaining knowledge and skills that I can use moving forward.”

Applications for the 2027 URUS Dairy Consulting Experience open in the fall. Visit dce.urus.org to learn more.

About URUS

URUS is a family of globally recognized businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry — Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics, and VAS. Each organization maintains its own unique identity, products, and services while collectively working across nearly 20 countries to deliver cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services, advanced dairy management information, and a broad portfolio of products and technologies that help producers maximize the genetic potential of their herds.

To strengthen and support these commercial brands, URUS houses centralized, shared service functions including supply chain, digital, people, marketing, and finance, designed to enable operational efficiency, innovation, and commercial excellence. These shared capabilities empower the brands to focus on what they do best: providing producers around the world with the highest-quality solutions, expertise, and innovation.

URUS operates through 9 brands and employs approximately 2,800 people worldwide, all united by a shared vision to create “Better Cows for a Better World”.