The new executive director of the Missouri Dairy Growth Council says the state’s dairy industry is expanding after nearly two decades of decline.

Alfred Brandt says on average, the state has lost roughly eight percent of its dairies each year due to economic pressures, generational transitions, lifestyle demands and industry consolidation.

“Especially if you want the next generation to come along, it’s got to be profitable and in order to be profitable, you need to be able to scale it up at some point. You can’t survive on the same number of cows your dad was milking in the 1950s.”

He says growth in Missouri requires investments in expansion.

“In the fall of 2025 Missouri Dairy had a push for a Missouri dairy grant, which the beef guys got a grant also, so we’ve got 25 dairies in Missouri that are going to receive a $40,000 grant to help them with expansion.”

Brandt says Missouri has also attracted out-of-state dairies.  A large California dairy is set to relocate to southwest Missouri with milking expected to begin in spring 2027.

“They are gonna milk around 5,000 holstein cows.”

Brandt says Missouri is a great place to have a dairy farm.

“We’ve got several large milk cooperatives in the state or nearby. The Dairy Farmers of America is located just in the Kansas City area. Prairie Farms is headquartered in Illinois. Central Equity Milk Cooperative is in Kansas and Missouri. We’ve got milk markets available for these guys if they want to come.”

Brandt has served as the executive director of the Missouri Dairy Growth Council since July 2025. Missouri Dairy has also recently been selected as the council’s management organization.

Source: Brownfield Ag News / Carah Hart