Uplevel Dairy Podcast
What does it take to be a successful, profitable and competitive dairy farm business? This is the podcast for dairy owners, managers and advisors who are after their next level of success. Join Uplevel Dairy host Peggy Coffeen each week as she sits down with the industry’s leading dairy producers and thought leaders for real conversations about business, management and leadership.
Episodes
380 | From Vegetarian to Dairy Advocate: How Jill Houin Found Her Place in Dairy
Peggy Coffeen interviews Jill Houin at Homestead Dairy in Plymouth, Indiana, where the family milks 5,000 cows across three sites, including a 2,200-cow robotic dairy with 36 robots and a semi-automatic feed system. Jill, a former New Jersey teacher and vegetarian who married into the dairy, describes learning farm life, becoming the farm’s tour guide and key messenger, and using truthful, practic
379 | Join us for Showbox Stories Live at World Dairy Expo 2026!
Peggy Coffeen is joined today by Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires and Jared Krull of CowManager on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast to announce that the popular Showbox Stories series will be recorded live at World Dairy Expo on Thursday, October 1, from about 8:00–10:30 a.m. on the Tanbark stage, with CowManager as premier sponsor. They recap the project’s purpose of preserving dairy history and authentic vo
378 | Gear up for World Dairy Expo 2026 with Showbox Stories Ft. Jeff Butler, Butlerview Farm
As we gear up for World Dairy Expo 2026, we’re bringing back a favorite from the Showbox Stories series recorded at World Dairy Expo. In this episode, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott sit down with Jeff Butler of Butler View Farms to hear about his journey in the dairy industry—from his early days in 4-H to his success with show cattle and his continued commitment to the future of dairy.Jeff shares me
377 | The Future of Holstein Genetics and Efficient Dairy Management with Seagull Bay Dairy and WinStar Genetics
What does the dairy cow of the future need to do better and what tools will help get her there?Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Seagull Bay Dairy in Idaho with brothers Greg and John Andersen to discuss how decades of genetics work shaped their multi-site operations and global influence through Seagull Bay and WinStar Genetics. The Andersens share the story behind Seagull B
376 | Stewardship in Action: Building a Dairy for the Next Generation
What does it really take to build a dairy that can thrive for generations?In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Mitch Perkins of Perkins Twin Creek Farm in Indiana, a third-generation family dairy milking 450 cows and farming 2,700 acres. Mitch shares what it means to step into a family legacy and make decisions that honor what previous generations built while
375 | When the Farm Is Your 401(k): Can the Next Generation Afford Your Retirement?
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Pauly Paul of Complete Management Consulting discusses why many dairy transition plans fail financially even after legal ownership is transferred. As retiring owners depend on the farm as their “401(k)” through monthly, annual, or lump-sum buyouts, the same dairy must also support the next generation’s management, added labor layers, and new debt, often amid tight cas
374 | 2026 Industry Person of the Year: Corey Geiger
In this special collaboration episode of World Dairy Expo’s The Dairy Show podcast and Uplevel Dairy, Peggy Coffeen interviews Cory Geiger, who was named World Dairy Expo’s 2026 Industry Person of the Year, about the experiences and mentors that shaped his career as a Hoard’s Dairyman editor, CoBank dairy economist, author, and youth mentor. Geiger recalls receiving the award call, his pivotal 199
373 | 2026 International Person of the Year: Robert Chicoine
Today, Peggy Coffeen interviews Robert Chicoine, World Dairy Expo’s 2026 International Person of the Year, in a collaboration with The Dairy Show. Chicoine recounts how a childhood fascination sparked by Holstein Canada’s journal led him from a dairy farm background to university, a summer at Quebec’s AI center, and a career developing a young sire proving program starting in 1966.He describes adv
372 | From Days to Hours: The Future of Dairy Diagnostics
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Kyle Becker, a Heritage Vet Partners veterinarian and former Indiana dairy farm kid who learned to AI cows at 12 and began practicing immediately after graduation. Becker describes his atypical, influencer-style DiSC profile and how it supports team-building, client collaboration, and bridging ownership–employee gaps on modern dairie
371 | Breeding for the Bottom Line: Genetics That Work in the Real World
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Luke Getty of Ideal Dairy and Cookiecutter Holsteins in Eastern New York to discuss the role of genetics, technology, and long-term decision-making in building a successful dairy operation. Getty shares the evolution of the family-owned business, which has grown through strategic expansion while also developing a global genetics program.He r
370 | What the Top 20% of Farm Businesses Do Differently with Dr. David Kohl & Lynn Paulson
What will separate the most successful farm businesses from the rest over the next decade?Dr. David Kohl and Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank join Peggy Coffeen to discuss the economic and global trends producers should be watching—from consumer demand for protein and AI-driven agriculture to global competition, regenerative agriculture, the coming land transition, and relationship-based lending.They als
369 | Beyond the Technology: The People Who Make Dairy Innovation Work
Technology may be changing the way dairies operate, but it still takes people to make it work. Today, we visit with Bailey Beck of Automated Dairy in Jerome, Idaho, to find out how she stepped into the dairy industry at just 22 years old, tasked with helping producers get more from the software, data and technology they were investing in. In this episode, Bailey shares how she overcame imposter sy
368 | Sitting Down With The Next Generation of Golden E Dairy
Part two of The Uplevel Dairy Podcast features Chris and Tracey Elbe’s children—Ryan, Kim, Matt, and Kyle—discussing their roles at Golden E Dairy and how their dad intentionally “molded” each of them toward different strengths. Ryan oversees broad operations and improvements, coordinating with contractors and advisers; Kim focuses on calves, heifers, and some fieldwork while embracing change and
367 | Golden E Dairy: Building Dreams From the Ground Up
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits with the family behind Golden E Dairy in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where first-generation farmers Chris and Tracey Elbe describe building their dairy from a 64-stall stanchion barn and 250 acres into a self-sufficient enterprise milking 2,900 cows, raising calves, heifers, and steers on site, and operating grain handling and soybean roasting.Chris reco
366 | Service Before Self: A Dairy Veterinarian's Calling
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Dr. Jared Risser of Dairy Veterinary and Management Services in Goshen, Indiana, about dairy veterinary work as a service-driven career built on trust and relationships. Raised on a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania dairy farm, Risser moved to Indiana in 2017, now serves a 50-mile radius with dairies ranging from 10 cows to 4,000, and descr
365 | When Cash Gets Tight—Leading Through a Cash Flow Crunch
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy interviews Pauly Paul of Complete Management Consulting about dairy farms facing tight cash flow, growing accounts payable, and overwhelm. Pauly says recent pressure often comes from loan restructures leading to higher interest rates and larger payments, missed income opportunities such as capturing value from black calves, and the lack of a clear cash-flo
364 | What Every Dairy Producer Needs to Know About New World Screwworm
This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features entomologist Dr. Mike Catangui, Ph.D., with MWI Animal Health, who discusses the return of the New World screwworm and why dairy producers far from the southern border must be on alert. He explains how the pest was originally eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s but has now been detected in Texas and New Mexico.Dr. Catangui also notes that adult
363 | Go All In: Lessons from an Idaho Dairy Nutrition Consultant
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Josh Peters of Standard Dairy Consultants about earning dairy producers’ trust without a dairy-farm background and why showing up and commitment matter. Peters shares his path from raising beef cattle, serving in the military, and working at Simplot to entering dairy nutrition, completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while feeding
362 | Tax and Legal Strategies for Farm Transition with Menn Law
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen concludes a three-part Farm Forward listener Q&A series with Will McKinley of Menn Law and Pat Sturz, a retired CPA and longtime agriculture tax advisor, discussing why legal and tax planning must be integrated in farm succession. They explain how farm growth and asset write-offs can create future tax problems, why “sell the farm on a land contract”
361 | The Biggest Mistake Families Make with Land with Will McKinley
Today's conversation tackles one of the most emotional and misunderstood topics in farm succession planning: how do you provide for non-farming children without putting the future of the farm at risk?Will McKinley explains why "fair" doesn't always mean "equal" and shares practical strategies that allow farm families to care for every child while protecting the operatio
360 | Why Farm Transitions Fail with Will McKinley
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews attorney Will McKinley of Menn Law in a three-part follow-up to the Farm Forward conference, focusing on why farm transitions fail and how to prevent it. McKinley cites two primary failure causes: economic infeasibility and psychology/communication breakdowns, including control issues and lack of confidence in successors; he shares examp
359 | Ask the Expert: Next-Level Dairy Cow Immune Support
Today, Peggy sits down for an exclusive, 'Ask the Expert' feature with veterinarian Dr.Jan van Dijk of AHV discusses how common stressors in dairy cows, such as calving, transition, heat stress, pen moves, and high production, can disrupt immune function and lead to issues like metritis, mastitis, temperature spikes, reduced rumination, and lost milk that can affect an entire lactation.Dr.
358 | Making a $4 Million Impact: Dairy Cares of Wisconsin
Today, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Jim Ostrom, president and CEO of Milk Source and co-founder of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin, to discuss how a backyard gathering in Wisconsin grew over 17 years into an event drawing 450–550 people and raising more than $4 million for Children’s Wisconsin, a world-class hospital network with 18 branches. Ostrom explains Dairy Cares’ purpose and highlights gratitude,
357 | Inside the Minds of Dairy's Next Generation | Junior Advisory Committee Roundtable
What’s inside the minds of the next generation of dairy leaders? We found out last week at the National Holstein Convention, where we sat down with 3 young leaders in the National Junior Holstein Association who are helping shape the future of the organization while representing thousands of junior members nationwide. Through leadership, service, and a whole lot of dedication, they're proving
356 | Rebuilding After Tragedy: Four Cubs Farm's Story of Resilience
When a devastating barn fire destroyed the heart of Four Cubs Farms in November 2017, the Peterson family faced a decision that would shape the future of their business for generations to come. In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen continues her conversation with Gary and Cris Peterson, Ben Peterson, and Dairy Manager Nathan Brandt as they reflect on one of the most difficult
355 | Leadership Across Generations: Creating a Dairy Business Built to Last
For nearly 150 years, Four Cubs Farms in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, has been built on a simple principle: people matter.In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Gary and Cris Peterson, their son Ben Peterson, and Dairy Manager Nathan Brandt to explore the leadership, culture, communication, and innovation that transformed a small family dairy into a thriving 1,000-cow
354 | Lessons from a Father-Daughter Vet Duo: The Next Generation of Dairy Care
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits with father-daughter veterinarians Dr. Paul Meagher and Dr. Amanda Onan of United Veterinary Services in Northeast Wisconsin about how dairy practice evolved from reactive emergency work to proactive, team-based consulting. Dr. Paul shares his path from a North Dakota dairy farm to nearly 40 years in mixed and large-animal practice, mentors
353 | The Young Dairy Manager Changing Herd Health One Insight at a Time
Shelby Jacquier Washburn, is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and managing partner at Laurel Brook Farm in East Canaan, Connecticut, describes returning from an equine business program during COVID to help manage a 1,500-cow herd and 1,800 acres each of corn and hay/haylage while raising all young stock.In today's conversation, she explains how accepting a 200-tag Nedap trial led to whole-herd
352 | Redefining What Leadership Looks Like on the Dairy with Annie Vannurden
How do you lead multiple dairy operations, oversee teams across several states, and still make it home for supper with three young children waiting for you?In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Annie Vannurden, Managing Partner and COO of Silver Streak Dairies, part of the Pace Ag Group. Annie shares what it takes to create consistency across multiple dairy sit
351 | Robots, Faith and Resilience: Transforming Tradition at Silver Spirit Farm
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Sam Fessenden, a Cornell dairy science graduate with a PhD focused on the CNCPS model who worked with nutritionists globally before partnering with his wife Brenda and her parents, Craig and Cathy, to rebuild dairying at their Southeast Minnesota site.In this conversation, Sam shares early mentorship near Cornell, how consulting and barn tou
350 | Ice Cream, Show Cows and Family Values: The Vandoske Dairy Farms Story
Today, Peggy Coffeen visits Bob and Tara Vandoske at Vandoske Dairy Farms in Cleveland, Wisconsin, to discuss how their 700-cow family dairy farm has grown into diverse business segments, including County Line Creamery, an on-farm ice cream store with viewing windows and open barn access, and a cattle boarding/show-cow facility. They share the farm’s multi-generational history, their three childre
349 | Earning Trust, One Tough Calving at a Time
Today on The Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Dr. Kady Bennett of United Vet Services (part of Heritage Vet Partners) about her unexpected path from an Illinois corn-and-soybean upbringing and an early photography major to large animal dairy practice in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.Dr. Bennett explains how starting as a kennel tech, then experiencing large animal work (including castratin
348 | The Future of Dairy Management: AI, Automation and Data-Driven Action
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Manny Salcedo, founder of the Dairy Performance Network (DPN), discusses how modern dairy management has shifted from simply managing cows and people to managing overwhelming volumes of data from multiple on-farm systems. Drawing on his background working on dairies and later founding DPN, he explains their consulting work and its tools, including Ida, an AI-dri
347 | Courage, Honor, and Dairy with Veterans Kelsey DeBoer and Matthew Taber
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy talks with veterans, Matt Taber, a retired Marine and co-owner of Donley Farms in Shoshone, Idaho, and Kelsey DeBoer, a former U.S. Army Reserve construction engineer and now senior marketing manager at Zoetis, about how military service shapes leadership and perspective.Kelsey explains Zoetis’ Patriots Pledge partnership with Folds of Honor, donating a pe
346 | From the Battlefield to the Barn: Leadership, Teams and Tough Decisions with Greg Shoemaker, Cargill
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Greg Shoemaker, Cargill’s Commercial Director for North America Dairy Nutrition, about leading teams that support dairy producers through nutrition strategy, technology, and on-farm partnership across the US and Canada. Shoemaker shares how his path from rural Pennsylvania roots to a career as a US Army Ranger shaped his leadership appro
345 | From Farm Kid to Risk Advisor | Brandon Weigel on What Dairy Producers Are Missing
At Central Plains Dairy Expo, Peggy Coffeen caught up with Ever.Ag risk advisor, Brandon Weigel, a Wisconsin farm-raised entrepreneur who started raising show pigs at 12 and later entered risk management through a 4-H club connection. Weigel explains his role managing grain sell-side risk, dairy feed buying risk, and beef-on-dairy price risk, contrasting grain cashflow-driven sales with year-round
344 | The Profit Gap: What Top Dairy Farms Do Differently
On this episode of the UpLevel Dairy Podcast, Pauly Paul with Complete Management Consulting is back today to explain what separates thriving dairies from those in crisis. He says the biggest gap comes down to management, especially leaders who delegate but also work alongside employees rather than staying behind a desk.Pauly identifies three core differentiators: understanding financials and avoi
343 | The First 10 Years Back on the Family Farm: Growth, Grit and Gratitude with Zoey Brooks Nelson
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is on-site at Brooks Farms with Zoey Brooks, nearly 10 years after Zoey returned to the family dairy, to discuss growing from 200 to about 700 cows and from four employees to a 15-person team. Zoey shares hard-won lessons about stepping into management, overcoming challenges, building a strong team culture and leading from within, while b
342 | Announcing the 2026 National Dairy Shrine Award Recipients with Mike Opperman
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Mike Opperman from the National Dairy Shrine headquarters in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, to announce the official 2026 National Dairy Shrine award announcements and explain the committee-based nomination process.Make sure to tune in to hear who the winners in each category are! The winners will be recognized at the National Dairy Shrine Awards B
341 | Katie Burgess: The Dairy Risk Advisor Who Simplifies the Chaos
Today's conversation on the Uplevel Dairy podcast was captured at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, where Peggy Coffeen interviews dairy risk management advisor and economist, Katie Burgess of Ever.Ag, about making dairy risk management simpler and more accessible. Burgess shares her Wisconsin dairy farm upbringing, ag business education, and path from UW Extension into Ever.Ag, em
340 | “Take Care of the Cow”: The Simple Philosophy for Driving Dairy Success
On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. Cole Anderson of United Vet Services (Heritage Vet Partners) in Northeast Wisconsin to talk about his unconventional path into dairy veterinary medicine and the mentors who shaped it along the way.From early hands-on experiences to building long-term client relationships, Dr. Anderson shares his philosophy that great se
339 | From the Barn to the Board Room: Nathan Moroney on Technology, Trials and Dairy Farming in Texas
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Del Rio Dairy in Friona, Texas, and interviews owner Nathan Moroney about how technology and expansion are reshaping modern dairying. Moroney describes a major expansion from a 3,500-cow double-45 parallel parlor to a 90-stall rotary with automated prep and post robots, sort gates, and collars, delivering significant labor savings and higher milki
338 | Dairy Farm Finances in 2026: What Smart Producers Are Planning for Q2
How are your finances looking for Q2? In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Steve Schweoer of Compeer Financial on what financially strong dairy farms are doing in 2026 amid tight first-half cash flow, lower milk prices, and higher costs of capital. Steve notes many producers prepaid 2026 expenses in 2025, easing near-term pressure, and expects improved markets in
337 | Leading the Legacy from 100 Miles Away: A Modern Dairy Story
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Cooper Legacy Dairy near Clovis, New Mexico, a 2,000-cow operation run by fifth-generation dairyman Jered Cooper that also raises replacements and farms about 2,500 acres. Cooper shares how his family’s dairy roots span Michigan, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, and why he now lives about 80–100 miles away in the Lubbock, Texas area while still man
336 | April Proofs, Real Cows: Why ‘Milk What You Make’ Is Redefining Genetic Progress
Jeff King & Tom Mercuro on genetics, longevity, and why ‘milk what you make’ is the futureOn this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are joined by Jeff King of Kings Ransom Farm in New York and Tom Mercuro from Mercuro Farms in Maryland—two dairymen who are redefining what real genetic progress looks like. We find out what they are doing to create the kind of cows they want in their barn
335 | What It Really Takes to Transition a Family Farm | Full Expert Panel
This Uplevel Dairy Podcast episode shares the full Farm Forward Conference panel with attorney Will McKinley, dairyman Tommy Oesch, consultant Kristy Pagel, advisor Steve Bodart, and family farm coach Elaine Froese on building multi-generational farm transitions as an ongoing legal, financial, and relational process. They discuss testing next-generation commitment through projects, off-farm work,
334 | Protect the Farm—and the Family: The Legal Reality of Farm Transition with Will McKinley, Menn Law
Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceThis Farm Forward Recap episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features attorney Will McKinley, President of Menn Law, discussing the legal side of family farm transition planning. McKinley emphasizes that communication is critical and that lawyers can’t prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions; families need to clarify and align their goals before legal
333 | Can Your Farm Afford Transition? What the Numbers Need to Say | Steve Bodart, AgriGrowth Solutions
Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceAt the Farm Forward Conference, Uplevel Dairy Podcast host Peggy Coffeen interviews Steve Bodart of AgriGrowth Solutions about the financial side of family farm transition. Bodart explains his accrual-based financial consulting approach that connects production decisions to financial outcomes, benchmarks performance, and evaluates what both outgoing
332 | The Conversations That Make—or Break—Farm Transition | Kristy Pagel
Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceIn this Farm Forward Recap, Peggy Coffeen hosts a transition talk featuring Kristy Pagel of Leading Edge Consulting, who focuses on facilitating difficult family farm transition conversations, aligning expectations across generations, and helping farms get “unstuck,” often during conflict or crisis. Pagel emphasizes the need to clarify the senior ge
331 | Building a Legacy That Lasts: Tommy Oesch on Transitioning Swisslane Farms Forward
At the Farm Forward Conference, Uplevel Dairy Podcast host Peggy Coffeen interviews Tommy Oesch of Swisslane Farms in Michigan about his multi-generational family farm transition from junior partner to senior leader and preparing for the next generation. Tommy describes the farm’s origins with his Swiss immigrant great-grandfather, early succession planning begun in 2004–2005, requirements for the
330 | Why Beef-on-Dairy Calves Fail to Thrive in the Feedyard with Stephanie Hansen
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Stephanie Hansen of Iowa State University at Adisseo’s VIP seminar about why beef-on-dairy calves often fail to thrive in the feedlot. Hansen, a feedlot “mineral nerd,” explains how high liver copper—seen in necropsy results at 800–900 ppm—can originate from late-gestation cow diets and be compounded in dairy systems by copper-fortified mi
329 | Dairy's Rising Leaders: Conversations We Need to Have
This week on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we’re bringing you our breakout session from the Central Plains Dairy Expo for a real, unfiltered conversation with dairy’s rising leaders. From coming back to the farm… to carving your own path… to earning respect and finding your voice—this is a must-listen not only for the next generation, but for senior leaders looking to better understand, develop, and
328 | Dairy Farm Leadership Starts Here: Valuing Every Role in the Barn with Dr. Amanda Onan
On location at Brooks Farms in Waupaca, Wisconsin, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Amanda Onan of United Vet Services (Heritage Vet Partners) about how teamwork shapes her approach to dairy veterinary medicine nearly 10 years into practice. A second-generation veterinarian, Dr. Onan describes learning through ride-alongs with her father and hands-on work at Sugar Creek Farms, including projects to im
327 | Exploring Dairy and Feed Dynamics with Matt Wolf and Jake Kingsley
Recorded in Amarillo at the High Plains Dairy Conference, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Matt Wolf and Jake Kingsley as they share their farm backgrounds—Matt from a Texas dairy family and Jake from Kansas, where his grandparents once had a small family dairy—plus unique experiences like dairy cattle and collegiate wool judging. Matt explains building a beef-on-dairy risk management program spanning
326 | Farm Forward: Lessons in Leadership from Tommy Oesch of Swisslane Farms
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we wrap up our preview of the Farm Forward Conference with part two of a conversation with Michigan dairyman, Tommy Oesch about farm transition mistakes and building an advisory team. Tommy describes a costly error of trying to manage dairy nutrition himself, learning to hire and listen to the right consultants, and updating who “sits at the table” as
325 | Farm Forward: Insights from Tommy Oesch on Succession Success
On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are featuring a throwback interview with Michigan dairyman, Tommy Oesch of Swisslane Farms about generational transition challenges, including older owners holding control, the growing financial scale of dairies, and the need for next-generation members to work elsewhere and succeed before returning. Tommy shares his path from MSU to leaving the far
324 | Farm Forward: How to Have Hard Conversations with Kristy Pagel
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are gearing up for the Farm Forward Conference on March 27 with Kristy Pagel of Leading Edge Consulting speaking on navigating difficult conversations. This conversation previews Kristy's guidance for managers who avoid confrontation, emphasizing that hard conversations can strengthen bonds and improve retention. She outlines starting with root-
323 | Farm Forward: Navigating Family Farm Transition Planning with Will McKinley
This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast re-shares a conversation with Will McKinley, president of Menn Law, about legal realities of family farm transition and succession planning and common mistakes when families wait too long. The discussion focuses on why transition planning stalls, macro delays tied to reluctance to “retire” and the cyclical nature of farming, and micro stalls during multi-m
322 | A Forward-Thinking Approach: Dairy Industry Insights with Rick Naerebout
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, at the High Plains Dairy Conference in Amarillo, discussing dairy’s current momentum and major risks. Rick highlights positive “tailwinds” including new trade opportunities such as Indonesia, policy wins like the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids bill, and improved perceptions
321 | From Mexico to Managing a Wisconsin Dairy | Rosario Ibarra on Leadership, Motherhood and Mentorship
She dreamed of being a CEO in heels ... now she does it in coveralls.In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Rosario Ibarra of Grotegut Dairy in Newton, Wisconsin, a third-generation farm milking 3,600 cows. Rosario remarks on her journey from Mexico, once dreaming of being a corporate CEO, to studying agronomy, joining an international internship that brought her t
320 | Ask the Expert: Natural Solutions for Fly Control with Dr. Mike Catangui
On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is back with Dr. Mike Catangui, of MWI Animal Health, to chat about natural insecticides for dairy farm fly control.Dr. Mike describes growing dairy interest due to milk safety concerns about residues, environmental and sustainability expectations from consumers, and reduced risk of insect resistance. He outlines practical use of natural
319 | Farm Forward Conversations: Unpacking Family Dynamics and Succession with Elaine Froese
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy highlights the upcoming Farm Forward Conference on Friday, March 27, at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Newton, Wisconsin. Presented in partnership with Zoetis, Menn Law, AgriGrowth Solutions, and Leading Edge Consulting, the event is designed to help farmers and advisors navigate farm transition—especially the hard conversations that often stall pr
318 | The Hidden Costs of Heat Stress with Jimena Laporta
Filmed at the Adisseo VIP Seminar, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Jimena Laporta, associate professor and lactation physiologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, about how heat stress during late gestation programs calves for lifelong—and even multi-generational—effects.Dr. Laporta explains that fetuses exposed to maternal heat stress are more likely to be born smaller and weaker, absorb fewe
317 | Mentorship, Motherhood, and Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Liz Strahl
Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. Liz Strahl of St. Anna’s Veterinary Clinic, part of Heritage Vet Partners, to talk about building a career—and a life—in dairy practice. A Wisconsin farm kid turned large animal veterinarian, Liz shares how 4-H, early mentorship, and vet school shaped her commitment to strong, trust-based producer relationships. She unpacks what she calls “unbreakable” bonds betwee
316 | Global Insights and Practices for Raising Strong Dairy and Beef Calves
This Uplevel Dairy Podcast episode features Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) board members Jim Van Patter and Rodolfo Nava, as they discuss key practices for raising high-performing dairy replacement heifers and beef-on-dairy calves. Both emphasize that success starts with excellent colostrum management in the first 24 hours, followed by a high plane of nutrition, sanitation, ventilation,
315 | Join us for the High Plains Dairy Conference with Dr. Robert Hagevoort
This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features Dr. Robert Hagevoort of New Mexico State University, previewing the 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference, March 3–4 in Amarillo, Texas, plus a middle manager workshop on March 5. He outlines the producer-driven program focused on practical topics like workforce development, markets, beef-on-dairy, water, feeding strategies, and biosecurity.He also sh
314 | Benchmarking for Dairy Profitability: Fine-Tuning Your Farm’s Financial Edge
On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Curtis Gerrits and Jim Moriarty of Compeer Financial about why benchmarking is essential for dairy farms, especially as year-end financials become available, milk prices soften, and recent beef-on-dairy income may have masked underlying costs. They explain benchmarking as first comparing a farm to itself over time, then comparing to a larger p
313 | Partnering for Success: Positioning and Transitioning for the Next Generation at Sheadview Dairy
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is on-site at Sheadview Dairy in Berlin, Wisconsin, to talk farm transition and the partnership with a non-family member that will carry this dairy farm forward. Kevin Krentz, his son Marcus and partner Cory Biely, share insights on what it takes to redefine ownership and create a partnership that will allow this dairy to continue on succ
312 | Cultivating Global Genetics with Dr. Scott Armbrust
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Dr. Scott Armbrust, president and owner of Paradocs Embryo Transfer, to delve into his impactful career in dairy cattle genetics and veterinary medicine. Dr. Armbrust shares his journey from growing up on a Nebraska farm to becoming a pioneer in bovine embryo transfer. He discusses his early inspirations, significant contributions
311 | Bridging Generations in Dairy and Education with Bonnie Ayars
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Bonnie Ayars, an energetic and deeply passionate cattle breeder, teacher, coach and advocate for agriculture. Bonnie shares her path from developing a Guernsey herd and teaching for over 50 years to her impactful role at Ohio State as a dairy program specialist. Bonnie also delves into her family's community outreach th
310 | Dr. Joe Lineweaver: A Lifetime of Innovation in Dairy Reproduction
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Joe Lineweaver, a distinguished figure in the field of reproductive physiology and embryo transfer. Dr. Lineweaver shares his remarkable journey from his roots in Virginia to his academic and professional accomplishments, including his work at Virginia Tech and the founding of Blue Ridge Embryos. He discusses the early chal
309 | A Dairy Genomics Pioneer: Dr. George Wiggans
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. George Wiggans to discuss his extensive career in dairy cattle genetics and genomics. Dr. Wiggans shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to working closely with Dr. Paul Van Radden, leading to significant contributions in genetic evaluations that propel the dairy industry. He highlights the transformative ro
308 | Lesson from a Legend: Elite Cows, High-Flyers and Business Savvy with Peter Vail
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Peter Vail, a prominent figure in the dairy cattle show world and the fertilizer business. Vail recounts his career journey from starting CaroVail Fertilizer Company in 1964 to his significant investments in various dairy cattle breeds. He shares personal anecdotes about his childhood on a commercial dairy farm, his ventures i
307 | From Dairy Legends to Next-Gen Leaders: How the National Dairy Shrine is Honoring Pioneers and Recognizing Emerging Leaders with Mike Opperman
This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features a partnership with the National Dairy Shrine to present interviews with the winners of the Pioneer Award. Executive Director Mike Opperman introduces the series, sharing insights about the organization's history, mission, and contributions to the dairy industry. Mike details his own journey within the dairy sector and discusses the various awa
306 | Earning the Reins: Education, Experience and the Next Chapter with Nathan Abel, Abel Dairy Farms
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Nathan Abel, the next-generation dairyman at Abel Dairy Farms. Nathan shares insights on how his hands-on experience, education, and incorporation of technology are helping him prepare for future leadership and ownership roles. He discusses his educational journey, the importance of learning both the technical and business aspe
305 | Digital Disruption in Dairy: Aidan Connolly on AI, Precision, and Real-Time Decision Making
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Aidan Connolly, president of AgriTech Capital, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on dairy farming. Connolly highlights the importance of adopting technology to overcome challenges such as labor shortages, water conservation, and precision nutrition. He delves into the potential of real-time data an
304 | Setting Calves Up Right: Dr. Jacey Benzing on Calf Health, Teams and Dairy Success
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Jacey Benzing, a large animal veterinarian from St. Anna's Veterinary Clinic in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Dr. Benzing shares her path from a childhood fascination with veterinary medicine, sparked by an unforgettable experience with her backyard pony, to her present role where she helps dairy farms achieve their goals. S
303 | He Studies Flies for a Living — And It’s Changing the Future of Dairy
From a childhood farm in the Philippines to dairy operations worldwide with Dr. Mike Catangui.In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy interviews Dr. Mike Catangui, the first entomologist and parasitologist to feature on the show. Dr. Mike discusses the critical role of entomology and parasitology in the dairy industry, highlighting the impact of insects like stable flies on dairy cattl
302 | Faith, Family, and Farming with Marinus Noordam
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Marinus Noordam as they dive into the dynamics of his business partnership at AJ Dairy, emphasizing their complementary skill sets and responsibilities. We explore his rich history, from being born in the Netherlands to immigrating to the United States, and the eventual establishment of the dairy farm. The story highlights the challe
301 | Transforming the Hearts of Men with Jack Pirtle
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen catches up with Jack Pirtle, a dairyman and farmer with P7 Dairy and Pirtle Farms in New Mexico, whose journey from business and personal hardships led to a profound transformation through faith. Jack updates us on his dairy, farming and now cattle enterprise. However, the heart of the conversation lies in Jack's awakening via the Ris
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