Full Schedule for Farmer-Leader

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

How Greg Dietrich balances 800 calvings a year with steering Ofa Zone 2 & Holstein Canada

By Mary Loggan

Steering growth both on his farm and in the broader sector, Greg Dietrich has emerged as a key voice in Ontario farming, having been recently appointed as Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Zone 2 director and as the new chief executive officer at Holstein Canada.

Better Farming sat down with Dietrich to discuss how his roots in farming and extensive industry experience have prepared him for these roles.

Ag beginnings

Born and raised on a dairy farm near Mildmay, Dietrich was immersed in farming life from an early age.

“I was actively involved in 4-H and Junior Farmers from a young age. Growing up with five siblings, you learn quickly how important it is to work together and support one another,” he explains.

His upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility that extends beyond the farm to the wider community.

“My parents were always very involved in the industry and the community, so it became second nature for me to do the same,” Dietrich recalls.

He later studied at the University of Guelph, and exposure to various farm operations through tours further reinforced his passion and commitment.

“As a young person, I always knew what I wanted to do. Agriculture wasn’t just a career choice; it was a lifestyle and a commitment to something bigger than myself.”

He notes how those early years shaped his values.

“We weren’t just working the land; we were building something that could last for generations. I could see the work my parents did, and I wanted to continue to do that for the next generation after me.”

Farm and industry experience

Dietrich farms in partnership with his brother-in-law Andrew Bennett, operating two dairy farms and a calf-raising business in Mildmay.

“We manage about 800 calvings a year, and recently, we celebrated the 10,000th calf born on our operation.”

The farms use robotic milking systems to milk approximately 60 Holstein cows at each location.

“Holsteins and genetics are our passion. We treat our cows well because healthy, comfortable cows are productive cows. We’ve seen butterfat production increase to two kilograms per cow. At one time, we were thrilled to get one kilogram.”

With an emphasis on innovation, Dietrich explains that “technology investments help us monitor and improve herd health and productivity. We are always future-focused.

“We like to always keep our eye on new trends and technology and ways these could improve our operation.”

Succession planning is another critical component of Dietrich’s farm strategy.

“We recently completed our succession plan and are now full owners of the operation. Our goal is to set things up for the next generation, so they have options.

“You have to start these conversations early and always keep the long-term plans in mind.”

Dietrich says this mindset influences every decision.

“We are always planning ahead, even beyond our own involvement, to make sure the farm is adaptable and sustainable.”

Stewardship of the land is equally important to Dietrich.

“We want to leave everything better than we found it. My parents were great stewards of the land, and we want to continue that legacy.

“Soil health is a top priority – without healthy soil, nothing else works.”

He also highlights the importance of teamwork within the operation.

“We have a great team at home, and I’m thankful it has also allowed me to take on roles outside of the farm business as well. I especially want to thank Andrew for his commitment and willingness to put in the extra effort on the farm.”

Dietrich’s industry experience extends beyond his dairy operations.

Early in his career, he worked with Semex and co-founded Progenesis, a pioneering genetics company.

“Working with genetics and seeing the impact on herd performance and sustainability has been a passion of mine for years.”

His decade-long service on the Genetic Evaluation Board of Lactanet, including time as chair, broadened his perspective on the agricultural industry as a whole and prepared him for leadership roles such as his current position with the OFA.

“I learned that you don’t always have to have the answers, but you do have to know who does.”

His involvement with the OFA, beginning after graduation from the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, has broadened his perspective beyond dairy to encompass the diverse challenges facing Ontario agriculture today.

“The leadership program really opened my eyes to the range of sectors and models within agriculture. It’s an exciting and dynamic industry.”

Since stepping into his role as OFA director in March 2025, Dietrich has embraced the opportunity to listen and advocate. As Zone 2 director, he represents farming members in Grey and Bruce.

“We engage with our members on everything from policy to labour to technology adoption. The pace of change is rapid, and we need to ensure our members are supported.”

Future goals

Looking ahead, Dietrich envisions his leadership roles as platforms to navigate and shape the changes confronting the sector.

Within OFA, his goal is to bridge the gap between farmers and the broader public, addressing the decline in consumer engagement and knowledge while advocating for policies that reflect farmers’ needs.

“The Federation is so great to be involved with, and you get to learn and work with people involved in all aspects of agriculture.”

He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and harnessing collective expertise to solve complex issues.

“There are fewer people directly connected to farming now than ever before. We have to tell our side better – why it matters and how it sustains us all.

“We are so lucky in Ontario to have a system that produces such great quality food, we don’t have to worry about it – it’s great we get to continue this and hopefully will in the same capacity in the future.”

At home, Dietrich is focused on sustainability and preparing for the future.

“We want to create a business that’s flexible enough for the next generation while producing high-quality milk.

“We’ve got the opportunity to impact the industry’s future by setting up our farms and businesses to be adaptable and resilient – always thinking three or four steps ahead.

“I believe we all play a role in this, from farmers to industry partners. Together, we can foster innovation, strengthen our communities, and ensure that agriculture continues to thrive for generations to come.” BF