Kansas City Honorees to be Celebrated at the 2025 MILK Business Conference

Kansas City, Mo., (Sept. 10, 2025) – The 2025 MILK Business Conference is set to honor three outstanding leaders in U.S. dairy production, recognizing their dedication and excellence in the industry. Scheduled for December 2-3 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, this year’s awards will celebrate individuals and organizations excelling in the categories of Leader in Technology, Young Producer, and Employee Excellence.

Acknowledging Dairy Industry Contributions

“The MILK Business Conference not only equips dairy producers with vital knowledge and skills but also honors the individuals who inspire others and contribute significantly to our industry,” stated Karen Bohnert, Farm Journal’s dairy editorial director. “We look forward to connecting with producers from across the country and celebrating this year’s award winners for their remarkable contributions.”

Awards Overview

Nearly 500 attendees will celebrate the 2025 Milk Business Award winners, who have made substantial impacts on the dairy sector. This year’s honorees include:

Leader in Technology: McCarty Family Farms, Colby, Kan.

Home to over 15,000 milking cows and employing more than 200 individuals, McCarty Family Farms is a significant player in the Kansas dairy landscape. Their most recent innovation, McCarty Family Farms North, features state-of-the-art facilities completed in 2023. This location boasts eight inverted six-row, tunnel-ventilated freestall barns housing 10,000 Holsteins, which are milked using two advanced 120-stall DeLaval E500 rotary milking systems, some of the largest globally. This technology promotes animal health by providing efficient milking routines.

In addition to innovative milking procedures, the farm has also upgraded their dairy processing plant with cutting-edge technologies like ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, aligning with their commitment to quality. McCarty Family Farms’ products are Non-GMO Project Verified for Danone North America, a prominent yogurt producer. Their operational model aims to stabilize the dairy sector against market fluctuations.

As a testament to sustainability, McCarty Family Farms employs on-site anaerobic digesters that generate 450 million BTUs of renewable energy daily—sufficient to power approximately 2,500 households annually.

Young Producer: Wybrand Vander Dussen, La Salle, Colo.

Wybrand Vander Dussen’s journey in the dairy industry has been remarkable, overcoming personal loss to lead a family dairy operation. Originally from Southern California, his family relocated to Northern Colorado in 2013, navigating the evolving dairy market. Following his father’s passing, Vander Dussen returned to the family business after studying animal science at Kansas State University.

The dairy thrived under the temporary management of his uncle, and after a couple of years, Vander Dussen stepped up to lead the 4,000-cow dairy, showcasing exemplary work ethic and maturity.

The 2025 Young Producer Award is proudly sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.

Employee Excellence: Travis Ties, Holdgrafer Dairy, Bellevue, Iowa

Travis Ties has been an invaluable asset to Holdgrafer Dairy, which houses 400 cows in northwest Iowa. With over 25 years of service, Ties has become a mentor to the owners’ five sons and an integral part of the family.

Having triumphed over childhood leukemia, which led to significant health challenges, Ties embodies perseverance. His extensive roles at Holdgrafer Dairy range from overseeing feed operations to assisting in crop production and maintaining machinery. Ties exemplifies a strong work ethic and leadership, ensuring farm efficiency and productivity.

The 2025 Employee Excellence Award is presented by Alltech.

Registration Still Open

Registration for the 2025 MILK Business Conference is currently open, with discounted hotel rates available until November 10. Attendees who register by October 15 will enter a draw to win two tickets for the opening round of the National Finals Rodeo on December 4.

Event Sponsors

Elite sponsors: Endovac, Farm Credit Group, John Deere, Merck Animal Health, TDSG

Premium sponsors: Afimilk, AHV International, Idexx, Forage Genetics, Neogen, Rabobank, Specialty Sales LLC

Supporting sponsors: Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Ever.Ag, FutureCow, Laird Manufacturing, Milc Group, Novonesis, Union Agener

About Farm Journal

Farm Journal stands as the leading business information and media company serving agriculture. It caters to various sectors, including row crops, livestock, and produce, through multiple platforms like websites, newsletters, and live events. Notably, Farm Journal also developed the Trust In Food initiative, which promotes conservation practices and regenerative agriculture. Additionally, their non-profit branch, the Farm Journal Foundation, aims to ensure agriculture can meet the needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.