Murray Hunt said the organizations for dairy farming will soon face a cost crunch as the 9.000 dairy farms shrink to a predicted 3,500 by 2036.
“That little spigot at the end of the milk tank can’t pay for the structure that we have now,” he said.
He urged organizations serving dairy farmers to work together to find efficiencies.
He made the comments in accepting the 2026 Dairy Cattle Industry Distinction award.
Hunt developed programs to identify dairy genetics that would improve the next generation of dairy cows.
He said the early results led to industry-wide improvements in udders, but said more attention should have been given to improving feet and legs.
Hunt has won about every dairy industry award available.
