Growing up on his family’s Ottawa Valley dairy ignited Tom Droppo’s passion for the industry and ultimately propelled him into a long and prosperous career in the dairy sector. For more than 40 years, Droppo, who completed his Master of Science in dairy nutrition at the University of Guelph, lent his expertise to three provincial governments, had various roles in the private sector and spent a stint with the Canadian International Development Agency working on a trade project in China.
Earlier this year, Droppo decided he was ready for the next chapter of his life and announced his retirement at the end of April. As he begins to shift his focus toward leading a healthy, slower-paced life with more time spent with his family, volunteering for local communities, supporting youth sports and leisure traveling with his wife, Cher, he reflects on the industry’s progress and challenges of the past decades. Grounded by his experience and his interest in mentoring young dairy professionals, Droppo offers a few pieces of advice to build a fulfilling and sustainable career in the dairy sector, along with some insights into what the future may hold:
1. Focus on human resources
To better ensure the future viability of your farm business, assembling a strong, motivated team is essential. Building a strong team, Droppo argues, starts with developing human resource practices to improve hiring and management decisions. As farms expand, producers may need to hire non-family labour, and learning how to become a human resources manager can lay the foundation for a better team and work environment and a stronger operation overall.
2. Avoid complacency
“If [Canada’s dairy sector] is to stay competitive and sustainable, not only in Canada, but also in a global marketplace, fresh new ideas, a willingness to embrace new technologies and creating a vibrant dairy sector from farming to processing that attracts a young, new, highly motivated and educated workforce will be important to the future of dairy farming in Canada,” Droppo says.
3. Take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves
For individuals who are new to the dairy industry, Droppo recommends exploring all the facets of the sector and saying yes to opportunities to learn more about it. As for young professionals who come from a dairy farming background, Droppo says working off the farm, even for a short time, can be invaluable. “There are advantages to taking a couple [of] summer or short-term jobs and working for someone else,” he says.
4. Supply management offers assurances not seen in other agricultural sectors
Due to the relatively infrequent fluctuations in milk prices in Canada, the dairy industry offers a level of certainty to producers, their families, the next generation and to lenders, as it creates advantages not seen in other countries or sectors.
5. Create or update your succession plan today
“There are too many herds or farms that don't have a good succession plan: some that don't have one or one that has one that hasn't been updated,” Droppo says. “A will is not enough; a will is just one thing. A succession plan is much different; it goes into a lot more detail, and it can be the difference between the success of that farm continuing as an operation.”
6. Mentorship is crucial
“I think part of our role as professionals is mentoring the next generation that's coming along to take our place,” Droppo says. He notes the dairy sector is unique in the involvement and interest seen from young leaders, which leaves him hopeful. “Unlike many other sectors, it has been very satisfying to witness the interest and willingness of the next generation of younger dairy farmers to commit to this sector and their willingness to assume leadership roles in a wide range of industry committees. This bodes well for the present and future strength of the sector.”
7. Align your goals with your passions to give your work meaning
“Whatever you go into, you must have a passion for it. … Regardless of whether you're a producer or you’re in the service industry, from banking, equipment, dealers or DHI technicians, if you have that passion, you're going to like going to your job,” Droppo explains.
8. Be prepared for challenges ahead
Like other sectors, pending changes to the economy, policy and the environment mean difficult moments are on their way. Speaking from his experience, Droppo predicts water availability and quality, changes to cost of production due to global events, animal welfare, climate change, human resource management, biosecurity and protection from foreign animal diseases, changes in societal values and expectations, land costs and continued trade challenges will be some of the biggest issues to contend with moving forward.
9. Continue to support and inspire positive industry relations
From one generation to the next, the nurturing of the relationship between dairy associations and various levels of government has worked well for the dairy sector and should continue, Droppo says.
10. Remain proactive
As challenges come and go, Droppo says his experience has shown him the resilience of the dairy sector, something he associates with the sector’s current and future viability. “My career experiences in provincial governments, and the private sector, have strongly validated my view of the Canadian dairy industry as one that is proactive, environmentally responsible, sustainable and highly responsive and adaptive to change, particularly as it applies to new technologies,” he states.
