meta IDFA 2025 Report: Women in Dairy See Advances Amid Ongoing Gender Challenges | The Bullvine

IDFA 2025 Report: Women in Dairy See Advances Amid Ongoing Gender Challenges

IDFA’s 2025 State of Women in Dairy Report reveals both progress and persistent challenges in gender equality. While more women take initiative in their careers, concerns about pay equity and advancement opportunities for younger generations highlight the need for continued efforts to create an inclusive dairy industry.

Summary:

The International Dairy Foods Association’s 2025 State of Women in Dairy Report reveals a complex landscape of progress and persistent challenges in gender equality within the dairy industry. While women show increased initiative in seeking promotions, with 54% asking for advancements compared to 47% of men, significant disparities remain. The report highlights a concerning generational divide, with 41% of Gen Z and Millennial women believing it will be harder to advance due to their gender. Pay equity emerges as a critical issue, with 55% of women reporting their gender negatively impacts their pay, compared to only 5% of men. The dairy industry faces challenges in retaining talent, particularly among frontline workers, with 29% of female frontline employees leaving jobs due to a lack of opportunities. These findings underscore the urgent need for dairy farmers and industry leaders to implement unbiased hiring practices, conduct pay equity audits, provide mentorship opportunities, and foster a more inclusive workplace culture to ensure a strong and diverse workforce for the future of dairy farming.

Key Takeaways:

  • Women in dairy show increasing initiative, with 54% asking for promotions, indicating a positive shift towards leadership.
  • Younger women perceive significant gender-based barriers in career advancement, with 41% fearing more challenging industry progression.
  • Pay equity remains a primary concern, as 55% of women report that gender negatively affects their pay compared to only 5% of men.
  • The lack of opportunities has led 29% of female frontline workers to leave the industry.
  • Addressing mentorship, clear career pathways, and pay equity is vital for workforce retention and future succession planning.
women in dairy, gender equality, pay equity, career advancement, dairy industry challenges

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has released its second annual State of Women in Dairy Report, which offers crucial insights into gender equality within the dairy industry. Building upon the benchmarking data established in 2024, this comprehensive study analyzes women’s roles and experiences in the dairy sector. 

Table 1: Key Metrics from the 2025 State of Women in Dairy Report

MetricWomenMen
Asked for promotions54%47%
Believe gender negatively impacts pay55%5%
Gen Z/Millennial: It is harder to advance due to gender41%21% (overall)
Satisfied with advancement opportunities63%n/a

Key Findings:

  • 54% of women in dairy reported asking for promotions, which is higher than the 47% of men who did the same.
  • 41% of Gen Z and Millennial women believe advancing in the industry will be more challenging due to their gender
  • 55% of women reported their gender negatively impacts their pay, compared to only 5% of men
  • 29% of female frontline workers have left a job in dairy due to lack of opportunities and promotion
  • The report emphasizes the necessity for enhanced mentorship, career development, and pay equity initiatives.

Women Taking the Lead 

One of the most encouraging findings from the 2025 report is the increased initiative shown by women in advancing their careers. The data reveals that 54% of women reported asking for promotions, surpassing the 47% of men who did the same. This proactive approach indicates that female professionals in the dairy industry are becoming more confident and ambitious. 

“The fact that more women are taking the initiative to lead is a positive sign for our industry’s future,” said Becky Randall, senior vice president of trade and workforce policy for IDFA. “It shows that women are increasingly confident in their abilities and are actively seeking opportunities for advancement.”

Generational Divide and Pay Equity Concerns 

Despite this progress, the report uncovers concerning trends. A significant 41% of Gen Z and Millennial female respondents believed that advancing in the dairy industry would be more challenging due to their gender. This pessimistic outlook contrasts sharply with the more optimistic views of older female counterparts and male colleagues across generations. 

Furthermore, the report highlights a substantial gap in perceptions of pay equity. A troubling 55% of women reported that their gender negatively impacts their pay, a stark contrast to the mere 5% of men. This significant gap highlights the need for urgent action to address pay disparities in the industry. 

Challenges for Frontline Workers 

The report also illuminates the unique challenges faced by frontline workers. Notably, 29% of female frontline workers reported leaving their jobs in the dairy industry due to a lack of opportunities and promotions. This fact underscores the importance of establishing clear career paths and development opportunities for all employees, irrespective of their roles. 

Implications for Dairy Farmers 

These findings have significant implications for dairy farmers, particularly regarding workforce retention and succession planning. Younger women feel less optimistic about their career prospects, and a substantial portion of frontline workers leave due to a lack of opportunities, which poses a risk of losing talented individuals to other sectors. This potential brain drain could lead to a shortage of skilled workers in the future, affecting farm operations and productivity. 

“Ensuring that young women and frontline workers see clear paths for advancement within the industry is crucial for maintaining family farms and attracting new entrants to the profession,” emphasized David Ahlem, CEO and president of Hilmar Cheese Company.

Industry Culture and Succession Planning 

For dairy farmers considering long-term succession planning, this report emphasizes the importance of creating equitable opportunities for the next generation, irrespective of gender. The findings suggest that while progress has been made since the 2024 report, significant work remains to be done in creating an inclusive industry culture. As key stakeholders, dairy farmers are vital in fostering a “people-first” environment where all employees feel valued and see growth opportunities. 

Recommendations for Dairy Farmers 

To address these challenges and capitalize on positive trends, dairy farmers should consider taking the following actions: 

  • Implement unbiased hiring and promotion practices on their farms
  • Conduct regular pay equity audits and address any disparities
  • Provide mentorship opportunities for young women and frontline workers in the industry
  • Invest in professional development programs that support women’s advancement at all levels
  • Foster a “people-first” workplace culture that prioritizes open communication and inclusivity
  • Develop support and benefits targeted to populations facing more significant disparities, such as working mothers or LGBTQ+ employees

Implementing these steps can help dairy farmers create a more equitable industry that attracts and retains talented individuals from all backgrounds. This will ensure a strong and diverse workforce for the future of dairy farming. 

The Bottom Line:

The International Dairy Foods Association’s 2025 State of Women in Dairy Report reveals a complex landscape of progress and persistent challenges in gender equality within the dairy industry. While women show increased initiative in seeking promotions, with 54% asking for advancements compared to 47% of men, significant disparities remain. The report highlights a concerning generational divide, with 41% of Gen Z and Millennial women believing it will be harder to advance due to their gender. Pay equity emerges as a critical issue, with 55% of women reporting their gender negatively impacts their pay, compared to only 5% of men. The dairy industry faces challenges in retaining talent, particularly among frontline workers, with 29% of female frontline employees leaving jobs due to a lack of opportunities. These findings underscore the urgent need for dairy farmers and industry leaders to implement unbiased hiring practices, conduct pay equity audits, provide mentorship opportunities, and foster a more inclusive workplace culture to ensure a strong and diverse workforce for the future of dairy farming. 

As a dairy farmer, what steps will you take to support women’s advancement, ensure pay equity, and create a more inclusive work environment on your farm? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below to help foster positive change across the industry.

Join the Revolution!

Bullvine Daily is your essential e-zine for staying ahead in the dairy industry. With over 30,000 subscribers, we bring you the week’s top news, helping you manage tasks efficiently. Stay informed about milk production, tech adoption, and more, so you can concentrate on your dairy operations. 

NewsSubscribe
First
Last
Consent
(T27, D1)
Send this to a friend