For those willing to embrace it, change can be a powerful force for progress. For Ashley Kennedy, the 2024 Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC), change is part of her farm’s identity. As the third generation on Sheridan Dairy LLC in Bad Axe, Mich., Kennedy has learned from the generations that came before her what it takes to achieve success.
“We were never boxed into something,” Kennedy said reflecting on growing up on the farm. “We were always looking for what is the new thing that we can do? What is something that we can try that might work for us? No idea was off the table.”
This mentality led Sheridan Dairy to be an early adopter of a robotic milking systems and group calf housing and has been key to Kennedy’s own journey as a dairy farmer.
The Early Years
Despite growing up on her family’s farm, Kennedy didn’t always know dairy farming was something she wanted to pursue. It took her spending time in her family farm’s parlor after college for her to realize what was next.
“I was filling in milking shifts while I was trying to figure out what I was going to do,” Kennedy said. “And then my parents asked, ‘You want to give this a shot?’”
She went from taking a shot to transitioning into a partner on the farm in her twenties – a step that’s often delayed for many young farmers. Continuing with her family’s tradition, she was given the chance to run the farm alongside her husband, Eric, thanks to the support from her parents.
“My family has always gone into farming loving the cows, but not wanting to do it forever,” Kennedy acknowledged. “My Grandpa Messing’s goal was to be out of the dairy farm by 50 and when he turned 50, he handed the permit over to my dad. My parents’ philosophy was the same, letting me take over this farm in my twenties. It makes me sad that my story is the exception and not the rule.”
Embracing Innovation
For Kennedy, embracing change has always been part of her farm’s journey. From a young age, she witnessed firsthand how her family continually adapted to new practices and technologies, setting the stage for Sheridan Dairy’s evolution.
“I remember us milking in a stanchion barn. I’d be playing in the barn while my parents were milking cows,” Kennedy reflected. “And then when I was five, we built the parlor, and I grew up milking in the parlor. And then in 2013 we put the robots in, and I got to be a part of that because I was a partner in the farm. So, I’ve gotten to see a lot of evolution in those 20 years.”
Today, Kennedy milks 240 cows with four Lely robots that not only allow for more flexibility in her schedule but give her the ability to focus on what she loves most – working with the cows. “Now with the robots, I get to do the fun stuff again. I’m able to be around the cows and actually work with them instead of just milking them,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy’s willingness to pivot and adopt new technologies is a consequence of careful deliberation. She acknowledges, “No matter what we ended up doing, we had to make it work. Everything in life is a compromise. You’re giving up something to get something else. You just have to decide what’s right for you and be able to pivot and adapt.”
Building a Support System
Kennedy credits her ability to pivot and adapt to her farm team and family support.
“Having a team behind us is really important. Not just our nutritionist, our vet, our breeder and those kinds of people, but also having my parents’ knowledge and experience,” Kennedy said. “My dad instilled in me from an early age that cow care is always number one. Every decision that we make is based on what will be better for the cows.”
And making investments in new technologies and taking risks that come with change requires financial stability. “We’ve started turning that corner from beginning farmer to established farmer and that also gives us the ability to pivot,” Kennedy said.
Her support system extends to her cooperative, MMPA, which her family has been a member of for decades. “My family has been MMPA members since my grandparents bought the farm. MMPA is constantly looking at new markets and new opportunities, and that’s something I’m excited to be a part of.”
As the 2024 OYDC, Kennedy will have the opportunity to represent her peers and MMPA at state and national dairy events and conferences, a scene she is already familiar with through her involvement with dairy checkoff programs.
Looking Ahead
Driven by a desire to ensure the dairy industry kept pace with changing consumer habits, Kennedy became involved in national checkoff discussions in 2018. Her engagement led her to attend her first checkoff conference, where she realized she was right where she wanted to be.
“I want to be looking at, ‘How do we keep the dairy industry competitive? What are the things we think are going to happen?’” Kennedy said. “There’s a group of dairy farmers in the industry that is willing to totally look outside the box to keep the industry moving forward. This is the kind of thing that I want to be part of.”
Surrounded by forward-thinking leaders, Kennedy believes the future of dairy farming is promising. She’s optimistic about the industry’s ability to adapt to changing consumer demands and environmental concerns.
“We continue to accept and to be open to new technologies and sustainability practices,” Kennedy said. “In the dairy industry, we started talking about sustainability early and trying to put numbers to what we’re doing. It might be a challenge, but we have an opportunity here too.”
And where there is opportunity, you can find Kennedy. She’s passionate about moving the industry forward, whether through sharing her own story with others or adopting new practices. “It’s important to make a pivot, incorporate some new ideas and give something a try.”
This article was originally published in the November/December 2024 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »