Farm Transition and Leadership: Why Dairy Producers Need the Right Advisors at the Table
Lessons on Leadership, Accountability, and Building the Right Advisory Team for Dairy Growth
Peggy Coffeen sat down with Michigan dairyman Tommy Oesch of Swiss Lane Farms to continue a conversation about one of the most challenging aspects of running a dairy business: leadership and transition planning.
While many producers focus on facilities, herd performance, or expansion plans, Tommy highlights another factor that often determines success—the people sitting at the decision-making table.
From costly early mistakes to building a strong advisory team, his experience offers valuable lessons for dairy producers navigating growth, leadership development, and generational transition.
Dairy Leaders Can’t Be Their Own Consultants
One of the most important lessons Tommy shares came from a mistake early in his career.
In an effort to manage costs and take on more responsibility himself, he tried to handle dairy nutrition without outside expertise. The result was a costly learning experience.
His takeaway is clear: dairy leaders cannot serve as their own consultants.
Operations grow stronger when producers surround themselves with advisors who bring specialized expertise—whether in nutrition, veterinary medicine, finance, or business management.
Hiring the right experts is only part of the equation. Leaders must also be willing to trust their guidance and implement the recommendations they provide.
Building the Right “Seats at the Table”
As dairy farms grow and management structures evolve, the advisory team surrounding the operation becomes increasingly important.
Tommy describes this process as building the right “seats at the table.” Over time, advisors and consultants should shift from purely technical roles to becoming strategic partners in management discussions.
Tools like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can help farms structure leadership teams, clarify roles, and create accountability within the organization.
With the right systems in place, consultants become part of the broader management strategy rather than simply problem-solvers called in during crises.
Leadership Growth Comes With Challenges
Tommy also reflects on the leadership challenges that come with managing a growing dairy operation.
Like many producers, his early leadership experiences involved learning through trial and error. Communication gaps, unclear expectations, and inconsistent accountability created challenges within the team.
Over time, the operation implemented more structured leadership practices, including:
Formal employee reviews
Clear accountability systems
Defined communication processes
These steps helped strengthen the team while improving overall farm performance.
Transition Planning Requires Both Generations
Generational transition is another key theme in the conversation.
Tommy emphasizes that successful transitions require effort from both the current and next generation of leaders.
Senior generations must be willing to allow younger leaders to learn through mistakes and gradually take on responsibility.
At the same time, the next generation must actively push the transition conversation forward rather than waiting indefinitely for leadership roles to shift.
Transition planning rarely follows a single template. Every farm must develop a strategy that fits its family dynamics and business goals.
Learning Opportunities for Farm Families
These topics will be explored in greater depth at the Farm Forward Conference, hosted by the Uplevel Dairy Podcast on March 27, 2026, at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Newton, Wisconsin.
The event brings together farm transition coach Elaine Froese along with a panel of legal, financial, and farm business experts to help farm families navigate succession planning and leadership development.
Through practical discussions and expert guidance, the conference aims to equip producers with tools to move transition conversations forward.
The Takeaway: Leadership Requires the Right Support System
Successful dairy operations are rarely built by one person alone.
Strong leadership requires surrounding the farm with trusted advisors, developing clear management systems, and creating opportunities for the next generation to grow into leadership roles.
When producers build the right team at the table, they position their farms for long-term success.
To hear the complete discussion, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Join us for the Farm Forward Conference 2026
Friday, March 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Rd, Manitowoc, WI
Register Here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260474594709165
