Dairy Farm Succession Planning: 5 Lessons from a Father-Son Partnership

Farm succession planning is about more than transferring ownership. It's about building trust, sharing responsibility and preparing the next generation to lead long before the official handoff takes place. At B&B Dairy near Waupun, Wisconsin, Brent and Chase Harmsen are putting that philosophy into practice as they continue to grow their family dairy together.

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen visits with the father-son team about navigating generational transition, improving dairy management and building a strong business for the future. Their experience offers practical lessons for dairy families working through succession, whether the next generation is just getting started or already taking on greater responsibility.

5 Lessons from B&B Dairy

1. Give the next generation room to lead. Build confidence by giving the next generation meaningful responsibilities and opportunities to learn through experience.

2. Keep improving the operation. From forage quality to calf care, thoughtful adjustments can make a difference in dairy performance and long-term success.

3. Learn the business beyond the barn. Understanding finances, purchasing, contracts and risk management helps prepare the next generation to make informed decisions.

4. Make communication a priority. Regular conversations about goals, responsibilities and expectations can help families work through disagreements and stay aligned.

5. Put agreements and exit strategies in writing. Establishing clear expectations before they're needed can help protect both the family relationship and the business when circumstances change.

Build the Transition Before the Handoff

Brent and Chase's experience shows that successful farm transitions happen over time through shared decisions, open communication and opportunities for the next generation to grow. Preparing for the future means having important conversations early and building a partnership that allows both generations to contribute.

Follow the Uplevel Dairy Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping the future of dairy. Subscribe at UplevelDairy.com and follow along on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for more stories, insights, and lessons from leaders across the industry.

To hear the complete discussion, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.