In today’s volatile dairy market, every decision counts. That’s why leaders at Foremost Farms are leaning into innovation and real-time data to optimize their operations, maximize profitability, and support their farmer-owners. In a recent Ag Smarter Sessions interview, Colleen Carr, Senior Director of Sales Operations, and Randi Muzumdar, VP of Financial Planning & Analysis, shared their journey of transformation and what it means to “Ag Smarter.”
Maximizing Value and Building Resilience
At Foremost Farms, the mission is clear: maximize the value of every drop of milk in the supply chain. That means getting the most out of butterfat, protein, and other milk solids—down to the last penny.
“It’s not about one big innovation,” Carr said. “It’s seeing all the smaller innovations come together to paint a bigger, more valuable picture.”
This holistic approach helps the cooperative return optimal value to its farmer-owners, ensuring their milk is processed efficiently and profitably at every stage.
Sustainability is more than an environmental commitment—it’s a business imperative. Reducing waste, transportation costs, and water usage contributes to cost savings and builds stronger rural communities.
“You have farms and facilities that have been part of these communities for generations,” said Carr. “Sustainable practices help ensure they stay there for generations more.”
Mazumdar added, “Sustainability also means delivering a reliable milk check. It’s about farm viability long-term.”
A central theme in Foremost Farms’ journey is the power of visibility. From tracking milk from farm through processing, to understanding wastewater composition, having timely data enables the team to pinpoint inefficiencies and act fast.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” said Muzumdar. “And it’s not just about measuring—it’s about making that data visible across the entire organization.”
By democratizing access to insights, everyone from plant operators to sales teams understands why a pivot happens or what’s driving a change. This transparency fosters better, faster decision-making.
Pairing Tradition with Technology
Technology isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing them up to make smarter decisions. “We want our people focused on pulling levers, not just crunching numbers,” said Carr.
Advanced systems help the team react quickly to market shifts—an essential capability in a business with razor-thin margins and constant uncertainty.
“The volatility in dairy is always there,” Carr noted. “But real-time scenario planning helps us stay ahead, especially as we head into what could be an even more unpredictable 2025.”
As they look ahead, both Carr and Muzumdar emphasize that embracing innovation doesn’t mean abandoning the past. It means building on it.
“There’s so much technology available now to improve the quality of life and the quality of farm management,” said Carr. “It’s not about throwing out tradition—it’s about pairing it with innovation.”
This mindset is essential for building a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring the next generation is empowered with the tools and knowledge to thrive.
Looking 10 years into the future, both leaders agree—dairy’s transformation is only beginning.
“We couldn’t have imagined where we are today a decade ago,” Carr reflected. “But if we don’t start the next leg of the journey now, we’ll fall behind.”
Technology, data, and a commitment to farmer success are the cornerstones of Foremost Farms’ strategy. And while the industry may never be easy, it’s this complexity—and the opportunity to make every decision count—that makes it so rewarding.