Podcasts

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.

Latest Episode

139 Part 2 | Becoming the Man God is Calling Him to Be with Jack Pirtle, P-7 Dairy

How do you define your purpose? Your “why” for what gets you out of bed every day? In this episode, we pick up where we left off with Jack Pirtle, the dairyman from Roswell, New Mexico, in a conversation that cuts deep for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, anyone who has struggled with their faith, anyone who realized they were the ones who needed to change. Jack shares with us his very personal journey to define his own purpose, connect with his faith, and become the man God is calling him to be. That’s what I’ve got for you today on the Uplevel Dairy podcast. Contact Jack Pirtle: jpirtleandsons@yahoo.com Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

July 26 • 38m 26.5s

Episodes

139 Part 2 | Becoming the Man God is Calling Him to Be with Jack Pirtle, P-7 Dairy

July 26 • 38m 26.5s

139 Part 1 | Overnight Dairyman: Tech, Innovation and Agility with Jack Pirtle, P-7 Dairy

So much of dairying is built upon legacy - a history of families that have milked cows for generations. But our guest today is not one of them. In fact, this New Mexico crop farmer literally became a dairyman overnight … and you’ve got to hear the story of how it all happened and how Jack Pirtle from P-7 Dairy has continued to innovate and adapt in an ever-changing marketplace - like changing over his entire herd from Holstein to Jersey, and some of the technologies that are saving him time and money on the feed pad and far beyond. That’s what I’ve got for you today on the Uplevel Dairy podcast. This episode is sponsored by Micro Technologies Micro Technologies innovates advanced, comprehensive & integrated technologies to help dairies produce a safe, wholesome product more efficiently and profitably. Check this out the Feed Management System Jack talked about: Feed Management System (microtechnologies.com) For more, visit Microtechnologies.com Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

July 25 • 48m 41s

138 | There’s a Storm Brewing in the Grain Markets: HighGround Dairy July Monthly Market Update

11 months of lower milk production, yet making it up in protein and fat. The perfect storm that’s brewing in the grain market. And how to get a grip on your true profitability by managing your margins. That’s what we are covering today with Curtis Bosma in the HighGround Dairy July Monthly Market Insights on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy: Find out how the markets are moving and how it could impact your bottom line. HighGround Dairy offers comprehensive insurance solutions from dairy market experts, ensuring your operation makes informed decisions to navigate market volatility. Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of July 18, 2024, at 12 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted. HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-july-2024.

July 23 • 28m 19.4s

137 | 90 Days to Find a New Bank with Pauly Paul

Dairy management consultant Pauly Paul has been getting more calls than ever from dairy farmers facing this challenge: They just received notice from their bank that they have 90 days to find a new lender, and they don’t know what to do. Whether you are in this situation yourself, or you want to position yourself to stay out of it, Pauly is here today to walk you through the action steps he is helping producers take to put together a plan and walk them through financially trying times. This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Looking for the most recent market updates? Make sure to check out https://www.highgrounddairy.com/ to catch their latest reports.

July 18 • 17m 39.6s

136 | Family Farm Transition: Setting Up for Success

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are discussing the complexities of family farm transitions with Jay Retzer, with Compeer Financial. Join Jay and me as we explore both successful and challenging scenarios of passing down farm ownership, management, and leadership across generations. Jay shares his wealth of experience working with dairy farm families, shedding light on the importance of early planning, effective communication, and involvement of the next generation in management. This conversation emphasizes the significance of continual adaptation in transition plans and offers actionable advice for those grappling with these critical decisions. Make sure to tune in to catch all of the details of this conversation including Jay’s insights on how to: Start early and develop a comprehensive succession Plan Be clear in your communication and expectations Balance both emotional and financial considerations Build a Strong Advisory Team Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts .

July 16 • 34m 7s

135 | Leadership, Legacy and Looking Toward the Future with Eric Palla, Palla Dairies BONUS: Sponsor Spotlight with Nick Randle, Zoetis

If you listened to Ep. 134 with New Mexico dairyman Eric Palla, you got a glimpse inside the strategies and decisions that have guided growth, expansion and diversification of Palla Dairies, from consolidating facilities to hiring a key manager, to raising all of their own replacements, combined with genomic testing to optimize their beef x dairy strategy. Eric’s back with us today, and we get a glimpse of how this forward-thinking dairyman and businessman views the future of his dairies and the industry, and what he is doing to level up his own leadership. And stick around to the end of this episode to hear from Nick Randle, U.S. senior marketing lead for dairy productivity and milk quality with Zoetis, to talk about how today’s dairy producers are putting genomic testing innovations to work as a means of raising healthy, productive dairy cows that will help them thrive in today’s ever-changing dairy climate, and achieve dairy goals well into the future. This episode is brought to you by Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is dedicated to helping producers achieve healthy animals, healthy dairies and healthy food through their world-class portfolio. For more information, visit DairyWellness.com or ClarifidePlus.com

July 11 • 27m 31.2s

134 | Palla Dairies: 3 Highest-Impact Business Decisions in the Past 10 Years

Long before New Mexico ever made it on the map as a top 10 dairy state, one family packed their bags like pioneers and headed East - from California to Clovis. Eric Palla was just a small boy at the time, as his father Wayne staked out a dairy and a dream that today includes 11,000 cows across three facilities, with two located in New Mexico and one in west Texas. And that ‘s not all. In addition to the dairy, the family also farms 15,000 acres and operates a 1,300-head cow-calf herd. What were the 3 best business decisions for Palla Dairies in the past 10 years? We sit down with Eric Palla today to find out on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. We are talking growth, scaling and diversification with Eric Palla, including core business philosophies and high-impact actions, like: Consolidating operations for efficiency Hiring an operations manager Raising their own replacements on site, combined with using genomic selection to drive their beef-on-dairy breeding strategy This episode is brought to you by Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is dedicated to helping producers achieve healthy animals, healthy dairies and healthy food through their world-class portfolio. For more information, visit DairyWellness.com.

July 9 • 48m 19.3s

133 | Olympic-Level Dairy Farming: with Ellie and Jamie St. Pierre

It’s July 4, independence day, and if you’ve been following the US Olympic trials, you may know that one of our own – a dairy farmer – has made TEAM USA once again. Ellie Purrier St. Pierre who grew up on a Vermont dairy farm, clenched her spot last week in the 5000 m race and will be heading to Paris later this month. But Ellie is so much more than an athlete. Working alongside her husband Jamie, she lives and breathes dairy farming as much as she does running, and together, the couple support each other’s dreams. On one of our very first episodes of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, I sat down with both Ellie and Jamie to talk about dairy farming, competing and the mindset of an Olympian. Even if you heard it before, it’s worth a listen once again. Enjoy this conversation with Ellie and Jamie. Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

July 4 • 41m 20.9s

132 | Laurie Fischer: Lobbyist, Leader and Dairy Cares of Wisconsin

From growing up on a dairy farm to leading the efforts for Wisconsin’s pivotal livestock siting law, Laurie Fischer, founder of the American Dairy Coalition, began her lobbying career as a grassroots voice for dairy farm growth and expansion. Her relentless efforts to serve dairy producers have taken her all the way to Capitol Hill. Hear how this unwavering advocate for dairy farmers and former executive director of the Dairy Business Association has led change, navigated the political process, and never backed down on speaking passionately and articulately for policies that position dairy farms for the future. And what you may not know is Laurie is also a co-founder of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin. She shares her personal story and how you too can rally around the campaign that is set to raise more than $3 million for Children’s Wisconsin (formerly Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin). Contribute to Dairy Cares of Wisconsin Three ways to give back and support families in their greatest times of medical need: Corporate or individual donation Virtual auction Attend the annual Garden Party on July 27 Find details and donate here: www.dairycaresofwisconsin.org Contact Laurie Fischer: laurie@lauriefischergroup.net https://www.americandairycoalitioninc.com/ This Episode is Brought to you by Adisseo This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/

July 2 • 42m 42.7s

131 | Lessons from a Family Farm Transition: Painful Mistakes + Picking Your Team - with Tommy Oesch, Swisslane Farms

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, I am continuing the conversation with Tommy Oesch from Swisslane Farms to discuss the intricacies of transitioning ownership, management, and leadership from the senior generation to the current generation on the farm. This episode provides valuable insights into maintaining a clear vision, aligning generational goals, and the continuous process of improving leadership and team management in the dairy farming business. Tune in to hear more on: How Tommy shares valuable lessons learned from his most painful mistakes The importance of surrounding oneself with a strong advisory team And how Swiss Lane Farms has evolved in its approach to leadership and consultancy Make sure to check some previous conversations with Tommy Oesch Below! 130 | 101 | Mental Toughness: The 75-Day Transformation: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6fBLEQstHKb 100 | 4 Miles, Every 4 Hours for 48 Hours with Tommy Oesch, Swisslane Farms and Clare Alderink, Ryzebol Dairy :https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/jinDYkDtHKb 54 | Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 1: Faith, Family and Dairy Farming with Tommy Oesch, Swiss Lane Farms: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/LkCtfFItHKb 55 | Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 2: Health, Relationships and Accountability with Tommy Oesch, Swiss Lane Farms: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/NIrmuEItHKb #35 - The 7,000 Cows in Seven Years Vision - Tom Oesch: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ftQRMbRtHKb Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

June 27 • 29m 47.5s

130 | Lessons from a Family Farm Transition: Coming Back + Buying Out + Bringing in Multiple Partners - with Tommy Oesch, Swisslane Farms

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, I am sitting down with Tommy Oesch, a partner at Swisslane Farms in Michigan. This conversation was so good, that I am breaking it down into two parts for you. Today, you will hear Tommy as he discusses the complexities and challenges of transitioning ownership and management of a dairy farm from one generation to the next. Tune in to hear more on: The necessity for critical family conversations, The importance of working elsewhere before returning to the family farm The strategic planning needed for succession And the valuable lessons learned from both successes and mistakes during the transition process Don’t forget to tune back in on Thursday for part two of this conversation with Tommy to find out some of the painful mistakes he’s made, what he learned from them, and how it helped him and his partners to up-level their advisory team. Make sure to check some previous conversations with Tommy Oesch Below! 101 | Mental Toughness: The 75-Day Transformation: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6fBLEQstHKb 100 | 4 Miles, Every 4 Hours for 48 Hours with Tommy Oesch, Swisslane Farms and Clare Alderink, Ryzebol Dairy :https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/jinDYkDtHKb 54 | Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 1: Faith, Family and Dairy Farming with Tommy Oesch, Swiss Lane Farms: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/LkCtfFItHKb 55 | Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 2: Health, Relationships and Accountability with Tommy Oesch, Swiss Lane Farms: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/NIrmuEItHKb #35 - The 7,000 Cows in Seven Years Vision - Tom Oesch: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ftQRMbRtHKb Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

June 25 • 28m 5.4s

129 | Significant Class 3 and Class 4 Shifts + Don’t Miss THIS Risk Management Deadline: HighGround Dairy June Monthly Market Update

US milk production declines, The influence of heat stress and bird flu on supply, Significant shifts in the CME futures market for Class 3 and Class 4 milk. And … the risk management you don’t want to miss. That’s what we are covering today with Curtis Bosma in the HighGround Dairy Monthly Market Insights. June 30th marks the application deadline for a Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) policy with a new agency. Find out how the markets are moving and how it could impact your bottom line and grab your copy of the June Market Report here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-june-2024 HighGround Dairy offers comprehensive insurance solutions from dairy market experts, ensuring your operation makes informed decisions to navigate market volatility. This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of June 18, 2024 at 1 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

June 20 • 18m 58.7s

128 | Young Leader Bonney Shehadey: The Next Gen of Sustainability at Bar 20 Dairy

Back in Ep. 123 of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we visited with California dairyman Steve Shehadey, as he shared the innovations in renewable energy and sustainability that have earned Bar 20 Dairy in the San Joaquin Valley the 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award and positioned this family business for the future. Well, today, we are going to meet the future of Bar 20: Steve’s daughter, Bonney - who represents the fourth generation of this family business, and who plans to make her own mark in the dairy sustainability arena. How did this young leader, who actually didn’t grow up, right on the dairy, take it upon herself to learn the ground-level work, from milking to backing up a mixer wagon? How did being an athlete with asthma impact her own views on air quality and her dedication to sustainability? And how does this fresh Cal Poly graduate view the dairy industry and her own future? Find out on this episode today! Listen to Bonney’s father, Steve Shehadey, talk about pioneering the energy sector, including Bar 20’s partnership with BMW North America and California Bioenergy: Listen to Episode 123 here: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Dvmr2AmPd14Wb1aTOvLvX?si=48guRZP1S5OwQT1sqh60Cw⁠ Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA⁠ Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: ⁠https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe⁠

June 18 • 34m 20.6s

127 | King Brothers Providing Quality from Herd to Home

For going on five generations, the King family in New York has been known for dairy farming excellence as Kings-Ransom Farm. Just over a decade ago, they diversified their business to bring back bottled milk to serve their local consumer with not just a great-tasting product, but also a high-value connection to their farm. Hear from Jan King how they have grown from 40 to now more than 400 bottled milk customers, and what it’s been like to enter the processing sector and build Kings Brothers Dairy direct-to-consumer brand.

June 14 • 38m 0.7s

126 | Moving Volumes and Adding Value to Milk

From retail to restaurants, dairy is finding its way into more menu options and consumer products than every before, and it’s not by accident. Behind the scenes, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is at the table with the leading fast-food chains and food service providers, striking wins that result in strategic and incremental marketplace growth for dairy products and ingredients. If you’ve ever had a “Grimace Shake” or a Taco Bell cheese shell, you can thank our guest, Paul Zieminsky, group executive vice president of health & wellness, insights and innovation, and his team at DMI.

June 13 • 44m 33.9s

125 | From Flatline to Finish-line; Marathons, Milk & Mindset

Running the race of her life, Rachel Eslick was minutes away from achieving her dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. With a traumatic change in her race, Rachel was forced to pick herself up and reevaluate what her next steps were. Reflecting on her dairy farming family values of resilience, determination, and hard work, she leaned into this to shift her mindset and become her favorite self. Rachel has taken a setback to an incredible comeback, not only in her running ambitions but through her business, health, and mindset. This Episode is Brought to you in Collaboration with STtalks and STgenetics Connect with STtalk to follow along in this six part series below! Listen to STtalks here: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sttalks/⁠ Learn more about ST Genetics: ⁠https://www.stgen.com/ Make sure to join the Uplevel Dairy email list below to receive new podcasts, blogs, and offers from Uplevel Dairy in your inbox. To listen to more episodes, head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to rate and review! Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA⁠ Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: ⁠https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe⁠

June 12 • 46m 57.2s

124 | How Milk is Winning New Consumers with Wellness

Milk has a whole new story to tell. Eve Pollet, senior vice president of strategic intelligence at Dairy Managment Inc. (DMI) joins us to share the consumer trends that are creating a hunger for health and wellness solutions, the emerging research around milk’s super-food characteristics and how she and her team are positioning dairy to capture more dollars in the marketplace and add more value back to the dairy farmer. This Episode is Brought to you in Collaboration with STtalks and STgenetics Listen to STtalks here: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sttalks/⁠ Learn more about ST Genetics: ⁠https://www.stgen.com/ Make sure to join the Uplevel Dairy email list below to receive new podcasts, blogs, and offers from Uplevel Dairy in your inbox. To listen to more episodes, head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to rate and review! Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA⁠ Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: ⁠https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe⁠

June 11 • 41m 31.2s

123 | Bar 20 Dairy Capturing the Power of Sustainability

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, for Steve Shehadey of Bar 20 Dairy, life gave his family cow manure, and with that they make energy. For the 4th generation dairy farm, capturing the power of sustainability came naturally to them, since 2007 they have been pioneering the way within the energy sector of the dairy industry. Bar 20’s efforts have led to incredible industry achievements, in 2023 they were named Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and have now partnered with BMW North America and California Bioenergy to harness the energy their 25-million-gallon methane digester produces. Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA⁠ Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: ⁠https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe⁠

June 10 • 28m 12.9s

122 | Jones Dairy Expands Consumer Connection

When Jones Dairy near Spencer, Iowa, expanded their Jersey herd and built a 64-stall rotary parlor last year, they not only sought to optimize efficiency and cow comfort, but they also designed their new facility with a flair of hospitality, to accommodate the many visitors that stop by their farm each year. Aaron Titterington, one of the farm’s partners, joins us to explain how they have incorporated a self-guided experience with education and a viewing window for passers-by, as well as formalized larger group tours to accommodate everyone from school children to retirees, in Jones Dairy’s efforts to educate consumers and connect them to cows, farming and food. Find and follow Jones Family Dairy here: https://www.facebook.com/jonesfamilydairy https://jonesfamilydairy.com

June 9 • 30m 20.4s

121 | STtalks & Uplevel Dairy Introduce a Six Part Series to Celebrate June Dairy Month

We’re celebrating June Dairy Month in a big way as STtalks and the Uplevel Dairy Podcast collaborate to bring you a 6-part series that shines a bright light on a collection of great dairy stories. Hosts Laura Demmer of STtalks and Peggy Coffeen of Uplevel Dairy give you the sneak peek on this collection of conversations with dairy farmers doing great things and others who are championing dairy products in the marketplace. Connect with STtalks to follow along in this six part series below! Listen to STtalks here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sttalks/ Learn more about ST Genetics: https://www.stgen.com/ Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

June 7 • 18m 30.6s

120 | Think Outside the Box: How to Cut Labor Costs and Max Out Milk in Automated Milking Systems

If you tuned in to hear Jessica Pralle-Trimner from Miltrim Farms talk about managing 30 robots under one roof on Ep. 118, you may recall her mention of Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting and the efficiency audit that helped their dairy regroup pens to spend less time on herd management tasks, reorganize and reduce labor to save money and make this barn more efficient, profitable and an even better place for cows and people. Take a listen to Pauly Paul as he shares his “outside the box” approach to helping robot dairies improve profitability and efficiency. Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe This Episode is Sponsored by Complete Management Consulting Contact Pauly Paul www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com 920-418-3135

June 4 • 21m 23s

119 | World Milk Day with Dairy Discovery at Swisslane Farms

In this special bonus episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are raising a glass to World Milk Day by appreciating the hard work of dairy farmers globally. The episode delves into Dairy Discovery, a Michigan-based nonprofit that connects consumers to their food through on-farm experiences. Founder Annie Link of Swiss Lane Farms and Executive Director Renee McCauley discuss Dairy Discovery's origin, mission and impact. They share stories of farm tours, educational camps, and community events that help bridge the gap between consumers and the dairy industry, while highlighting future goals to expand their impact and invite listeners to get involved. The episode rounds out with details on their World Milk Day celebrations, including an all-you-can-eat cereal bar event. Additionally, Dylan Brockshus from Adisseo, the episode sponsor, shares his personal connection to the dairy industry and his own plans to celebrate World Milk Day. To support the Dairy Discovery: https://www.dairydiscovery.org/ Follow: https://www.facebook.com/DairyDiscovery Phone: 616-868-6735 renee@dairydiscovery.org Make sure to help celebrate World Milk Day with #worldmilkday and #enjoydairy! Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

June 1 • 33m 46.1s

118 | 30 Robots Under One Roof: Right Data, Right Cows, Right Time

Do you ever wish you had a 24-hour herdsperson, who never showed up late, never complained and could pick up on a problem with a cow before you could? Well, that’s what automation has done for Jessica Pralle Trimner, the dairy manager at Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wis., home to 30 Lely A5 milking robots and 1,800 cows under one roof, alongside a 1,400-cow conventional herringbone parlor and freestall facility at the same site. I met up with Jessica at Miltrim’s event center, the Milkhaus, to talk about the suite of technology that allows her team to focus on the right data and the right cows, at the right time. We talk about: Using real-time data to transform transition cow management Empowering employees with data-driven insights And the grouping strategy that has pushed the envelope on elite performance. Plus, we catch up with Jessica about her “one word” for 2024: Presence. And listen to Jessica's One-Word episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wus0sznNiGNTqH3f3Ffkz?si=aGkGmRV3TC2g8X85uOglQg And just like the tech in their collars, this episode in our High-Performance MIndset Series is powered by Nedap. The High-Performance Mindset Series is powered by Nedap. Nedap is future-proofing dairy farms by revolutionizing cow-side care through technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering and identification. Listen to more episodes in this series below. 4 High-Impact Actions to Create a Winning Farm Culture with Travis Speirs, Shiloh Dairy Dairy Tech in Texas: Managing 8,000 Cows with Activity Monitors featuring Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy Protecting His Price and Managing Risk with Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy Managing More Cows, More People and More Data with Derrick Josi Full-Potential Farming: Reaching the Highest Level of Performance with Cows and People through Technology with Megan Schrupp, NexGen Dairy Olympic-level Business, Management and Mindset with Elle Purrier-St. Pierre and Jamie St. Pierre

May 30 • 47m 48.5s

117 | Jerome Meyer: Fighting Cancer, Finding Purpose and the Power of a Positive Mindset

Everyone has two lives. The second one starts when you realize you only have one. A positive mindset is easy, when things in our lives our easy. But when we realize we are facing the battle of our lives, for our lives, there is no greater test of faith, perseverance and hope, And our guest today shares his personal journey over the course of the past year. At 39 years old, Jerome Meyer, area business manager for Zoetis, was at the top of his game. Leading his team as they helped dairy clients achieve their goals, an avid runner … and from the outside, every indication would say he was the pillar of health. Until an unexpected cancer diagnosis last year. While his health may have had its ups and downs, what remained steadfast was his positive mindset. In fact, this experience has connected Jerome to a faith he hadn’t found before, a magnified appreciation for his colleagues and the dairy community and given him an even stronger purpose in how he lives each and every day. It’s with great honor and gratitude that Jerome has allowed me to share his journey with you, right here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. This episode is brought to you by Zoetis. As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is dedicated to helping producers achieve healthy animals, healthy dairies and healthy food through their world-class portfolio. For more information, visit DairyWellness.com. Guest: Jerome Meyer Area Business Manager, Zoetis Cell: 262.949.5854 jerome.meyer@zoetis.com Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

May 28 • 49m 0.6s

116 | Mastering a Marathon Mindset with Clare Alderink

Back on Episode 100, Clare Alderink, manager at Ryzebol Dairy in Michigan, joined Tommy Oesch from Swiss Lane Farms to talk about doing hard things, like running 4 miles every 4 hours in 48 hours, the 75 hard challenge … and if you recall, Clare also mentioned he was training for an upcoming marathon. Well, I caught up with Clare just days after he crossed the finish line of the Kalamazoo Marathon. When I asked Clare how the race went, his simple response was this: It was hard. Clare had been training for months to not only condition his body with the miles, but as you will find out, more importantly, strengthen his mindset … and that is what got him through an unexpected challenge, all the way to the finish. Listen to find out how this dairy manager-turned-marathon runner views running in much the same way as managing the dairy: From developing discipline and consistency To defining which data points really improve performance in the barn and on the road And practicing patience for the long run … no pun intended. Recommended read: The Confident Mind by Dr. Nate Zinsser Hear more from Clare on Ep. 100: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nC8xDGc0OJb Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

May 24 • 35m 12s

116 | Mastering a Marathon Mindset with Clare Alderink

May 23 • 16m 47.4s

115 | Smile and Say “Cheese”: HighGround Dairy May Monthly Market Update

We’ve got market movements to celebrate this May: Largest-ever cheese export month for the U.S. Potential for record-high butter this year The insatiable appetite for milk protein concentrate That’s what we are covering today with Curtis Bosma in the HighGround Dairy Monthly Market Insights. Find out how the markets are moving and how it could impact your bottom line. This Episode is Sponsored by HighGround Dairy Grab your May Market Report Here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-may-2024 HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at info@highgrounddairy.com Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of May 20, 2024 at 12 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

May 21 • 19m 25.1s

114 | How to Decode RNG Contracts for Dairy Farms

If you have been waiting to sign on the dotted line for a renewable natural gas project, this episode is for you. Over the past 4 years, RNG companies have been knocking on the doors of dairy farms across the country, touting opportunities, along with long-term commitments. And our guest today has been involved on both the developer side and dairy producer side. Ty Rohloff, vice president of food and agribusiness with Compeer has reviewed at least 40 project proposals, and he joins us today to share his insights on: The opportunities these projects can open up as an additional dairy farm income stream How to evaluate both contracts and developers And the details you won’t want to overlook when making decisions for the long-term success and sustainability of your dairy farm. This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial. Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Their dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact: Compeer Dairy Industry Experts Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series Guest contact: Ty Rohloff 608-290-7326 Ty.Rohloff@compeer.com

May 16 • 25m 58.8s

113 | H5N1: Red Flags, Risk Mitigation and Being Ready to Take Action

Know your opponent. I’ve heard this statement from dairy producers before. It’s all about evaluating a threat at hand, managing the risk and being prepared to act with urgency. And the opponent we are going to talk about today is the one that is on everyone’s mind: H5N1. If you want to hear from someone who has been helping dairies deal with this disease since the very beginning, what to watch for, ways to reduce risk and what to have in your arsenal to be ready to action should your dairy be facing the fight, keep on listening to this episode of the UPlevel Dairy Podcast. From the frontlines of H5N1, Randy Tapia has been assisting dairy producers in the Southwest and now across the country, as they deal with the disease first hand, or are preparing themselves for the potential of sickness hitting their herds. Randy grew up in the Texas dairy business, with his father at one point running 9,000 cows on three dairies near San Angelo, and he also spent many years as a dairy manager up in the Panhandle. An early adopter to rumination monitoring and other technologies, Randy stepped away from management to work in dairy tech before joining Amarillo-based Micro Technologies in the dairy solutions role he is in today. In this conversation, I’ve asked Randy to put on his dairy manager hat, as he walks us through: What to watch for: Rumination red flags Reducing risk factors around waterers Fast action to adjust the ration Treatments and immune support And Randy tells us how he would be preparing his team and what would be in his med room if he was a dairy manager right now. This episode is sponsored by Micro Technologies Micro Technologies innovates advanced, comprehensive & integrated technologies to help dairies produce a safe, wholesome product more efficiently and profitably. Disclaimer draft: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. For more information, visit: Microtechnologies.com

May 14 • 25m 40.5s

112 | Celebrating Dairy Farm Moms: Strength, Sacrifice, and Sweetness with Karen Bohnert

Karen Bohnert, editor of Dairy Herd Management and Milk Business, joins host Peggy Coffeen to celebrate dairy farm moms in this bonus Mother’s Day episode. Hear the incredible stories of the dairy farm moms who raised them, and the adversities they overcame to be examples of strength, sacrifice and resilience. And hear about some of the dairy farm moms who have set the bar for Peggy and Karen today. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/111--Intentional-Motherhood--Management-and-What-Matters-Most-with-Sarah-Daugherty-e2je88q

May 10 • 30m 39s

111 | Intentional Motherhood, Management and What Matters Most with Sarah Daugherty

As we come up on Mother’s Day this weekend, I’ve asked Sarah Daugherty from Paramount Calves back to talk about being a mother of 6, and balancing a high-performing work life and a high-performing family life. From performance pressure to kids’ sports to setting priorities and saying no, any mom or dad who pursues excellence both at work and at home will relate and can grab a few nuggets of wisdom from this honest conversation about hard things and what really matters. This one hit home for me, and I think it will do the same for you. This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/

May 9 • 27m 6s

110 | 3 Human Resource Hacks to Take Control of Turnover Today

If you are spending way too much time on hiring new employees, training and retraining, only to keep experiencing the exhaustion of turnover, this episode is for you. And my guest today is a higher performer in deed: Sarah Daugherty, workforce development manager at Paramount Calves LLC, in Darlington, Wis. Sarah is going to tell you how she has saved herself the time and stress of constantly training new employees and the drag and drama of hard conversations to experiencing very little turnover and creating systems that support Paramount’s high-performing teams, which include 50 employees across three sites in Wisconsin and Kansas, who care for 25,000+ replacement heifers. And these 3 hacks you are about to hear aren’t fancy. In fact, all you need to do it yourself are a few pieces of paper. Keep listening to learn … The simple exercise Sarah walked herself through that has crafted the core of the culture at Paramount Calves The key benchmark she monitors for employee turnover And the hack she created with just four sheets of paper that changed the game on retention. If zero employee turnover and high performing teams is what you are striving for … I believe you will want to really take some tips from Sarah. Bonus: And Sarah will join us again later this week to shift gears from management to motherhood. I’ve invited this mom of 6 back on for a special message for all the moms as we head into Mother’s Day! This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/

May 7 • 25m 5.3s

109 | Young Leader with Ytsje Andringa

Meet Young Leader Ytsje Andringa, a driven woman whose path seems to always lead her back to the driver’s seat of a silage truck. Ytsje shares how she shifted her career course from health care to follow her heart back to her family dairy farm, Sunrise Dairy in Clear Lake, South Dakota. She’s the daughter of Dutch immigrants, oldest of 6 and a mother to 3. This Young Leader will blow you away with her determination to do hard things and go after her dairy farming dreams every single day. Hear about: The challenges she faces as a young dairy producer dealing with salespeople and managing employees three times her age The one skill set she believes she must develop to be successful as a dairy producer And a few fun silage truck-driving stories The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

May 2 • 29m 23.4s

108 | How This Dairy Manager Slayed the Time-Consuming Data Monster

If data has turned into the time-consuming monster that is stealing your focus, delaying decisions and dragging down your progress, you will want to keep listening because I’ve got something important that could change the game for you on this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. Our guest understands these challenges because he was a dairy manager himself in Texas for well over a decade, who faced the same struggles: He wanted the right data, at his fingertips, integrated in a way that allowed him to use it as a tool to improve performance and move his dairy forward. And so he created his own solution: Dairy Performance Network. Manny Salcedo founded DPN seven years ago, and you are about to hear: How Manny came up with his own solution for slaying that time-consuming data monster The story behind this customized software integration and data analytics system that connects people, cows and technology The results: Higher levels of employee engagement and hitting real performance benchmarks that make a difference to the dairy producer’s bottomline Follow DPN https://www.facebook.com/dairyperformancenetwork/ https://www.instagram.com/dairy_performance_network/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/dairy-performance-network/ Contact DPN 806-639-5166 support@dpnconnect.com www.dpnconnect.com

April 30 • 31m 50.8s

107 | How Good Can We Get? with Megan Schrupp, DVM, NexGen Dairy

“How good can we get?” That’s a question high-performers ask themselves and the teams they lead every single day. It’s also a question Megan Schrupp, DVM, at NexGen Dairy in Eden Valley, Minnesota, uses to push the potential for cows, people and her dairy farming business. This 20-minute episode is the hot take from one of our most popular podcasts of all time, Episode #36: Full Potential Dairy Farming. Megan details how this question drives: - A culture of excellence among people - Data-driven decision-making to enhance transition, nutrition and repro details This episode is part of the High-Performance Mindset Series, powered by Nedap. Listen to Episode 36 for the full conversation with Megan here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6H45sTWc4Ib

April 25 • 21m 36.7s

106 | Dairy Farming on Three Continents with Young Leader Laurens Rutten

Meet the 28-year-old from Belgium who has embarked on a hands-on dairy farming journey around the globe.... Laurens Rutten challenged himself to dive into dairy on three continents, starting on a commercial grass-based dairy in New Zealand, then the world’s largest robotic dairy in Chile, and we catch up with him today on the third leg of his journey at Sunnyside Farms in New York. Laurens reveals the two critical questions he asked himself that spurred this adventure, and the lessons he is learning along the way and leaves us with some solid takeaways on blazing your own trail, defining your future and taking bold action. The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is THE podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/

April 23 • 38m 54.2s

105 | U.S. Milk Production + Feed Cost Predictions: HighGround Dairy April Monthly Market Update

As the US milk supply tightens, what opportunities and challenges are ahead for Class 3 and 4, as domestic demand lowers and exports pick up? Corn planters are starting to roll across the countryside, how might the early planting predictions impact your feed cost? That’s what we are covering today with Curtis Bosma in the HighGround Dairy Monthly Market Insights. Find out how the markets are moving and how it could impact your bottom line. Grab Your April Market Report Here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-april-2024 About HighGround Dairy This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at info@highgrounddairy.com Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of April 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

April 18 • 22m 56.2s

104 | 7 Secrets to Employee Retention Success

Over the past 6 months or so, I’ve sat down with some pretty incredible people in the dairy industry. The owners and managers of excellent dairies and some of the most sought-after consultants who specialize in employee performance, training, and retention. Many of these are conversations you’ve heard on the UPlevel Dairy Podcast, and you can certainly go back and listen to them all, but if you really just want some cliff notes, some common themes, and take-home points that tie together several of the best conversations we’ve had here on the topic of getting a new employee off the best start, so they can perform well for you, see a path for their own future by being part of your team for the long haul, that’s what you are going to get today on the UPlevel Dairy Podcast. My goal is to make it easy for you by pulling together some powerful shares from seven recent guests - some of the industry’s best owners, managers, and consultants. We are going to walk through three critical phases of employee retention, starting with: First, onboarding Next, uncovering individual potential And finally, motivation - giving good people a reason to stay. I’m giving you some high-value nuggets from these recent Uplevel Dairy guests so you can raise your own bar own employee retention. Listen to the episodes of the ones mentioned on today's show below. 85 | 3 Keys to Maximize Profit and ROI from Your People: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/vdFC7gRqPIb 97 | Empowering People: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/97--Women-Leading-the-Way-at-Pagel-Family-Businesses-Empowering-People-with-Ashley-Pagel-e2h3ng0 61 | Empowering Mid-level Managers, Cell Phone Policies & Team-Building Activities: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/61--Empowering-Mid-level-Managers--Cell-Phone-Policies-and-Team-Building-Activities-with-Bridget-Schilling--Schilling-Farms-e2ctl74 63 | One Question Most Progressive Dairy Managers are Asking: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/63--The-One-Question-the-Most-Progressive-Dairy-Managers-are-Asking-with-Elsie-Gonzalez-Leach-e2d7bgm 88 | 3 Steps to Set Up Middle Managers for Success: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/88--3-Steps-to-Set-Up-Middle-Managers-for-Success--the-Dairy-Calf-and-Heifer-Association-Annual-Meeting-with-Clint-Al-Ag-e2ftu22 92 | Pursuing Greatness: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/92--Pursuing-Greatness-with-Hans-Nederend---Part-1-Secrets-to-World-class-Milk-Quality-e2gl916 74 | 5 Principles of Leadership: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/74--5-Principles-of-Leadership-with-Juan-Quezada--Director-of-Training-and-Development--Milk-Source-LLC-e2e6a9u

April 16 • 27m 20.1s

103 | Young Leader Takeover at the Midwest Dairy Challenge!

On this Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast, I’m turning the mic over to a trio of up-and-comers in dairy industry communications to interview three Dairy Challenge alumni who shared their experiences on a panel at the Midwest Dairy Challenge held in Green Bay, Wis., in February. Social media interns interview Dairy Challenge alumni: Nichole Gerard, Iowa State University student, interviews Crystal Prom, Cargill Torri Burch, Iowa State University student, interviews Tony Schmitz, Schmitz’s East Branch Dairy Irene Nielsen, Iowa State University student, interviews Liz Schiebelbein, Phibro Animal Health Torri and Irene talk about their Dairy Challenge experiences, as past competitors and social media interns Learn more about the Dairy Challenge: https://www.dairychallenge.org/ The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

April 11 • 14m 47.1s

102 | From Bleeding $500,000 to Better than Breaking Even

It wasn’t just their dairy farm on the line. It was their house too. Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting is back to tell us how he helped one dairy family on the verge of losing it all turn around from bleeding red to a positive cash flow in 6 months. Not only were they able to keep the farm and the house, but today, it is a financially sound business in the process of transitioning to the next generation. Find out how Pauly and his team: Lowered their breakeven Reorganized labor Brought them back from a $500,000 loss to breaking even or better in 6 months This Episode is Sponsored by Complete Management Consulting Contact Pauly Paul www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com 920-418-3135

April 9 • 17m 26.5s

101 | Mental Toughness: The 75-Day Transformation

No alcohol, 2-a-day workouts, following a diet, daily personal development reading and drinking a gallon of water … every day for 75 days. That’s 75 Hard, a transformative commitment for building mental toughness and self discipline, and these two Michigan dairymen just completed it, alongside the 4x4x48 endurance challenge from Episode 100. Tommy Oesch from Swisslane Farms and Clare Alderink from Ryzebol Dairy are back to dish it out on what they did, what they read and how 75 Hard transformed their habits and their mindsets. Hear more from Tommy Oesch on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast Episode 100: 4 Miles Every 4 Hours for 48 Hours The 7,000 Cows in 7 Years Vision Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 1: Faith, Family and Dairy Farming Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 2: Health, Relationships and Accountabiity This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/

April 4 • 13m 5.9s

100 | 4 Miles, Every 4 Hours for 48 Hours with Tommy Oesch, Swisslane Farms and Clare Alderink, Ryzebol Dairy

Last year, Michigan dairyman Tommy Oesch from Swisslane Farms, told us right here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast that he planned to complete David Goggins’ extreme 4x4x48 endurance challenge: That’s running 4 miles, every 4 hours for 48 hours. Today, Tommy is back and he brought his friend Clare Alderink, general manager at Ryzebol Dairy, to talk about the grueling physical and mental challenge they completed in March, and the surprising ways it’s made them better as dairymen, family men and friends. This episode is all about mindset: Self discipline Developing habits Doing hard things If you are pushing for your next level of performance, I promise, this episode drops some real life wisdom and will leave you with a new vision of what’s possible for you too! Here more from Tommy Oesch on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast: The 7,000 Cows in 7 Years Vision Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 1: Faith, Family and Dairy Farming Finding Balance with a Big Vision - Part 2: Health, Relationships and Accountabiity This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more here: Adisseo.com

April 2 • 57m 38.9s

99 | How a Texas Dairy Beats the Heat to Hit 55% Conception Rate

Welcome to central Texas, where summer days exceed 100 degrees and heat stress is one of the greatest threats to cow health, reproduction and performance. But since adding monitoring technology to their 1,250-cow herd last year, dairyman Hidde Osinga from Overwhere Dairy is using collar-collected data to: Find and treat compromised cows sooner Catch silent heats Capture 15 percentage points on conception rate Find out how his team has learned to trust the system, and hear about Hidde’s excitement for the future of dairying in this episode, part of the High-Performance Mindset Series, powered by Nedap. Nedap is future-proofing dairy farms by revolutionizing cow-side care through technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering and identification. Find more episodes in Nedap’s High-Performance Mindset Series here: 4 High-Impact Actions to Create a Winning Farm Culture with Travis Speirs, Shiloh Dairy Dairy Tech in Texas: Managing 8,000 Cows with Activity Monitors featuring Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy Protecting His Price and Managing Risk with Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy Managing More Cows, More People and More Data with Derrick Josi Full-Potential Farming: Reaching the Highest Level of Performance with Cows and People through Technology with Megan Schrupp, NexGen Dairy Olympic-level Business, Management and Mindset with Elle Purrier-St. Pierre and Jamie St. Pierre

March 28 • 27m 33.2s

98 | Soybeans are Getting Crushed, Texas Dairy Cows Under the Weather: HighGround Dairy March Monthly Market Update

We catch up with Curtis Bosma, vice president of producer services for HighGround Dairy, to hear about: Soybeans: All-time high crush capacity and largest carry in more than 15 years Managed money short covering corn and beans Domestic cheese demand slips while butter takes off Why are Texas dairy cows under the weather? Learn more and find market resources at https://highgrounddairy.com/ This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Please note: Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of March 18, 2024, 12 p.m., and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

March 26 • 19m 1.7s

97 | Women Leading the Way at Pagel Family Businesses: Empowering People with Ashley Pagel

In the final episode in this series with the women who are leading the way at Pagel Family Businesses, in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, we sit down with Ashley Pagel, human resources manager. Find out: Ashley’s transition from a career in health care to heading up human resources How she has professionalized processes and paperwork Improving employee retention Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts .

March 21 • 20m 3.2s

96 | Women Leading the Way at Pagel Family Businesses: Sharing Dairy’s Story with Chase Pagel

We continue this 3-part series with the women who are leading the way at Pagel Family Businesses, in Kewaunee, Wisconsin. Today, Chase Pagel debuts her new children’s book, Rosco’s Sweet Treats, a story that not only depicts modern dairy farming, but also a real-life tale of a steer raised by her daughter that had a taste for cupcakes and other treats. Chase talks about: How the challenge to find accurate dairy farm books to read to tour groups became her motivation How her family is her inspiration And the next books to come in this series. Rosco’s Sweet Treats is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Follow Chase’s journey online: Dairy Diaries LLC on Instagram and Facebook Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts .

March 20 • 26m 38s

95 | Women Leading the Way at Pagel Family Businesses: From Grief to Growth with Jamie Pagel Witcpalek

This week, we bring you a 3-part series, as we celebrate the month of March: the month of women’s history, international women’s day, as well as National Agriculture Day. What better way to do this than in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, with three very special guests from Pagel Family Businesses … three women who have risen to the challenge to be leaders … here at the dairy, in their community and far beyond. This family has overcome hardship, in particular, the tragic loss of well-loved industry leader and the family’s patriarch, John T. Pagel, along with his son-in-law, Steve Witcpalek, six years ago. Yet, the family has rallied together to carry on a legacy and a business. In this episode, Jamie Pagel Witcpalek, chairwoman of Pagel Family Businesses, opens up about loss, grief and moving forward. Tune into the next two episodes in this series to hear from: Chase Pagel on Sharing Dairy’s Story Ashley Pagel on Empowering People Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts .

March 19 • 37m 47s

94 | 3 Things the Top 10% of Dairy Producers Do

In this episode of the UpLevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen welcomes back guest Leland Kootstra, an accountant well-versed in the dairy farming business sector and founding partner of Frazer, LLP. The dialogue offers a trove of wisdom for generational dairy farmers, focusing on the skills needed to take over the helm and steer their family businesses to new horizons. Leland emphasizes the importance of meticulousness in business operations, where an in-depth understanding of costs, schedules, and right-sizing is crucial for superior management. He also brings to light the significance of integrating robust risk management strategies to hedge against uncontrollable market volatility. The three things that Leland sees the top 10% of dairy farmers doing are: Being extremely knowledgeable on the details of the business Having an action plan around risk management Being cognizant of what it takes to be a reputable business This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Learn more about them below or at ⁠https://www.highgrounddairy.com/⁠.

March 14 • 8m 34.6s

93 | How to Pass On a Multi-million Dollar Dairy Farming Business: 3 Critical Questions for Succession Success with Leland Kootstra

In this episode of the UpLevel Dairy podcast, host Peggy Coffeen interviews Leland Kootstra, an accountant with Frazer, LLP, about the importance of succession planning in multi-generational dairy businesses. Kootstra shares three critical questions he asks both the senior and incoming generations to help them define their goals, timelines, and long-term outlook. He emphasizes the need for open and ongoing communication to ensure a smooth transition and alignment of expectations. This episode provides valuable insights for dairy farm owners and managers looking to pass on their businesses successfully. Hear more in this episode about: The importance of early and ongoing dialogue between generations to ensure successful transitioning of the family dairy businesses. Three critical questions posed to the senior generation to help them identify their vision of success, ideal transition timelines, and their willingness to re-invest in their current business if given a chance to start over. Corresponding in-depth questions directed at the incoming generation aimed at understanding their definition of success, skillset gaps, and their long-term perspective on the regional dairy industry. The emotional and familial sensitivity surrounding transition planning and the role of an advisor in facilitating healthy conversations. Insights on the dynamic industry, changing expectations, and how generational goals can inform and sometimes transform the succession planning process. This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Learn more about them below or at https://www.highgrounddairy.com/.

March 12 • 38m 14.7s

92 | Pursuing Greatness with Hans Nederend - Part 2: Perseverance and Living on Purpose

Hans Nederend isn’t only committed to producing high-quality milk on his dairies. He’s also committed to living a high-quality life. Whether it’s leading his family or leading his team, hear how Hans keeps his faith at the center of his roles as both a dad and a dairyman. In his responses to the “Uplevel 5,” Hans talks about: The book that changed his life and his leadership The Calvin Coolidge quote on his business card Honoring God by living out your purpose Hear more from Hans in Part 1: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/92--Pursuing-Greatness-with-Hans-Nederend---Part-1-Secrets-to-World-class-Milk-Quality-e2gl916

March 7 • 13m 7.4s

92 | Pursuing Greatness with Hans Nederend - Part 1: Secrets to World-class Milk Quality

What does it take to maintain milk quality at a level of less than 75,000 SCC on 9,000 cows for 15 consecutive years? You might be surprised. We are catching up with Hans Nederend III from Nederend Dairies in Marsing, Idaho, who shared his secrets to milk quality success at the 2024 National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting. A past National Dairy Quality Award winner, Hans talks about: ✅ Consistency, persistency and his daily tracking spread sheet ✅ His performance-based pay system ✅ How he motivates his team of milking professionals 👀 Spoiler alert: He doesn’t talk about any magical technology, tube or treatment. This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds.

March 5 • 50m 56.9s

91 | WonderCow: A California Dairy Family’s Faith-filled Journey to Create a Superfood Supplement

In this episode, Peggy sits down with a seventh-generation dairy family, Rob and Erica Diepersloot, from Madera, California, as they share their story of co-founding bovine colostrum company, WonderCow, including: The heartbreak they experienced as parents of a daughter with chronic ear infections, and how that led them to look in their own backyard to create a dairy-derived solution. How inconsistency and mislabeling in the market place led Rob and Erica to create their own trusted and transparent brand, from their own cows and other dairies that share their values Navigating the challenges of Amazon and the supply chain And the faith-filled journey of building the WonderCow brand. Find WonderCow: https://wondercow.com/ Follow WonderCow: @wondercow on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok

February 29 • 39m 47.2s

90 | Young Leader Madison Busse, United Dairies, Alexandria, Minnesota

She manages 15 employees, 1,200 baby calves and 700 maternity cows … and she’s just 24 years old. Our Uplevel Dairy Young Leader today is Madison Busse, Calf and Maternity Manager for Minnesota-based United Dairies. The Ohio native didn’t grow up on a dairy but learned to love it, and while her path was originally to become a large animal veterinarian, an internship with a calf raiser prompted a change of heart and change of direction that led her to Alexandria, Minnesota, to a position where she can’t wait to get out of bed every day … the perfect combination of being hands-on with calves and cows, working with people and being part of a culture that supports her in being successful as a young manager at United Dairies. Find out how she is forging her path in a field that some people actually discouraged her from pursuing and why she loves giving baby calves and cows a chance to thrive, with Madison Busse. The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/

February 27 • 28m 53.2s

89 | Record-Low Heifer Inventories, Record-High Credit Card Debt and New Crop Projections: HighGround Dairy February Monthly Market Update

Today’s big question: With heifer inventories at historic lows and global milk production trending lower in 2024, we seem to be poised for better milk prices compared to 2023, so what's your action plan to capitalize on this opportunity? If this question has you thinking, you’ve come to the right place, because Curtis Bosma is joining us for the HighGround Dairy Monthly Market Update. In this episode, hear more about: The supply update for heifer inventory & global milk production The demand update for milk spot basis, credit card debt & milk fat New crop balance sheets for corn and soybeans This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Curtis Bosma is vice president of producer services for HighGround Dairy. You can download your own producer market update here: ⁠https://www.highgrounddairy.com/comprehensive-gdt-auction-analysis-20-february-2024/

February 22 • 19m 20.2s

88 | 3 Steps to Set Up Middle Managers for Success + the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Annual Meeting with Clint Al-Ag

On this episode, Peggy sits down with Clint Al-Ag, president of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) Board of Directors, and manager with Blue Sky Farms. Clint gives a sneak-peak of what to expect at the upcoming DCHA Conference, as well as how the organization has helped him develop leadership skills as he has transitioned from heifer yard manager to now overseeing 150 employees across three sites in the Texas panhandle. Clint covers three key steps he has taken to set up middle managers for success, including: How he assesses not just core competencies but alignment with core values and desire to be a leader Reinforcing the chain of command Ongoing support for new managers Join Clint and other producers and industry professionals who specialize in raising dairy calves, heifers and cross calves at the 2024 DCHA Annual Meeting. 2024 DCHA Annual Meeting April 9-11, 2024 | Westminster Colorado To register, sponsor, or exhibit in the trade show: https://calfandheifer.org/2024-annual-meeting-agenda-2/ Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) www.calfandheifer.org

February 20 • 37m 46.6s

87 | Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders featuring Emily Shaw Schaapman, Dairy Girl Fitness

And our featured Young Leader today is Emily Shaw Schaapmann, also known as the Dairy Girl Fitness, shares the career journey that led her to starting her own business. Describing her initial struggles finding her place in the dairy industry and experiencing career frustration, Emily discusses how she channeled her passions for health, fitness, and dairy promotion into establishing Dairy Girl Fitness. Five years later, this business has helped more than 500 women reach their health goals and includes a team of four coaches. Follow Emily Shaw Schaapman on Social Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/DairyGirlFitness/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dairygirlfitness/⁠ Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cowgirltalk/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNADOKh4JsW_Lp7gGVfyyYQ⁠ Website: ⁠https://dairygirlfitness.com/⁠ The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/⁠

February 15 • 32m 1.9s

86 | Join Us for the Premier Dairy Event of the High Plains: 2024 High Plains Dairy Conference

What's been keeping you up at night? Is your mind turning about how to create alternative revenue streams, monetizing more than milk from your dairy or cash in on carbon? Or are you wishing there was a training available for your middle managers, one day where they could sharpen their communication and leadership skills? Well, guess what ... you can find it all and more in one place: The High Plains Dairy Conference. I’ll be emceeing this biennial event, and I’m inviting you to join me in Amarillo, Texas, on March 5 and 6, with a bonus middle manager training on March 7, for one of the most truly producer-driven meetings in the dairy industry. The driving force behind this meeting is Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University Extension. Robert shared some valuable insights on our last episode on optimizing the ROI of your employees, and he’s back on today to tell us what’s new, what to expect and why dairy producers from beyond the High Plains will find value in the High Plains Dairy Conference! ----- High Plains Dairy Conference Embassy Suites Amarillo, Texas Pre-Conference and Conference on March 5-6; Middle Managers Training Workshop on March 7 ------ View agenda and register for the High Plains Dairy Conference: https://hpdc.regfox.com/2024-high-plains-dairy-conference ------ Contact Dr. Robert Hagevoort dairydoc@highplainsdairy.org (806) 786-3421

February 14 • 15m 43.5s

85 | 3 Keys to Maximize Profit and ROI from Your People

Any dairy producer will tell you, a good employee is worth every dollar. But every two weeks, when pay day comes around, do you ever wonder if you are getting the most out of your investment? What if it didn't have to cost you a penny more to maximize the efforts and outcomes of every hour you are paying that employee to be at your dairy? Our guest today spends a lot of his time improving training, safety and development of the dairy workforce. Dr. Robert Hagevoort, with New Mexico State University Extension, joins us to talk about three things he sees high-performing dairy operations doing to increase employee engagement, retention and performance. Hear about: The reason your trainings in Spanish may be failing How to optimize daily performance What the best dairies are doing to get the right people in the right seats on the bus To view agenda and register for the High Plains Dairy Conference: https://hpdc.regfox.com/2024-high-plains-dairy-conference Contact Dr. Robert Hagevoort: dairydoc@highplainsdairy.org (806) 786-3421

February 13 • 34m 59.1s

84 | Precision Nutrition and Sustainable Dairy Production: A Conversation with Dr. Mike Van Amburgh

Peggy Coffeen sits down to chat with Dr. Mike Van Amburgh, Cornell University, at the Adisseo VIP Dairy Seminar about the benefits of precision dairy cattle nutrition going beyond methionine and lysine. He introduces the latest version of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), their nutrition model that offers the potential to formulate for all 10 essential amino acids. Find out: How the model, made user-friendly for dairy nutritionists, aims to increase productivity without as much protein or nitrogen intake Cost-effectiveness and environmental advantages The bigger picture of sustainability This episode is sponsored by Adisseo, global leader in animal nutrition and premium provider of rumen protected methionine for dairy producers who want to capture the power of components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds.

February 8 • 6m 57.3s

83 | Understanding Dairy Sustainability: Discussion with Dr. Marissa Hake

A big question we ask ourselves as dairy producers and professionals is, how can we effectively communicate with consumers about the food we produce and our built-in sustainability stories? Who better to tap into this topic than Dr. Marissa Hake. I sat down with Dr. Hake at the Adisseo VIP Dairy Seminar to get her insights. Hear what she has to say about consumer purchasing decisions, dairy versus the alternatives, sustainability and building trust on this UPlevel Dairy Podcast. In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, you will be able to hear Dr. Hake’s insights on: Consumer trends and concerns Reframing environmental impact and the sustainability story Ensuring consumer acceptance of new technologies This episode is sponsored by Adisseo, global leader in animal nutrition and premium provider of rumen protected methionine for dairy producers who want to capture the power of components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more about Adisseo here: https://www.adisseo.com/en/

February 7 • 10m 49.6s

82 | The Revolution of Dairy Cattle Nutrition: Amino Acids with Dr. Chuck Schwab

Peggy sits down with Dr. Chuck Schwab, a distinguished Professor Emeritus from New Hampshire University, at the Adisseo VIP Dairy Seminar, where he recapped highlights of his career and research on the important role of amino acids in dairy cattle nutrition. Find out: Why Schwab so fervently pursued amino acid research The impacts on the way dairy cattle rations are formulated today And why he believes his work is not yet done. This episode is sponsored by Adisseo, global leader in animal nutrition and premium provider of rumen protected methionine for dairy producers who want to capture the power of components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds.

February 6 • 37m 20.6s

81 | How to Turn Your Passion for Dairy Promotions into a Professional Career

If you are passionate about sharing dairy’s story with consumers and want to know how to turn that into a career, keep listening to hear how Allison Ryan has done just that. As the marketing and communications director for MVP Dairy and McCarty Family Farms, she has brought the vision to life for an on-farm dairy learning center in Salina, Ohio, and will soon be cutting the ribbon on a second, interactive learning center near Rexford, Kansas. And she’s joining us today to talk about the opportunities for young professionals who want to make their passion their career, right here on the UPlevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast. The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/ Learn more about career opportunities and internships with McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy: Contact Allison Ryan: aryan@mvpdairyllc.com Visit: https://www.mccartyfamilyfarms.com/nowhiring Follow McCarty Family Farms https://www.facebook.com/McCartyFamilyFarms/ https://www.instagram.com/mccartyfamilyfarms/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mccartyfamilyfarms Follow MVP Dairy https://www.facebook.com/mvpdairy/ https://www.instagram.com/mvpdairy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mvpdairy

February 1 • 35m 57.5s

80 | Dairy Farming with a $15 Breakeven

Is a $15 breakeven possible for a dairy farming business in 2024, given increases in input costs and inflation, and the current milk market conditions? If anyone would tell you “yes,” it would be Pauly Paul with Complete Management Consulting. Pauly has helped hundreds of farms reduce their expenses and increase their income, so that they can be profitable and sustainable businesses. I’ve asked Pauly, if he was running his own dairy farm, how would he do it? Find out on this episode: Which expenses he would cut first, and the ones he wouldn’t touch His time-saving approach to meetings and effective employee managemen Where he often sees dairies losing their focus and losing money And how he would get his break-even point to $15 per cwt. This Episode is Sponsored by Complete Management Consulting Contact Pauly Paul www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com Pauly@completemanagementconsulting.com 920-418-3135

January 30 • 20m 7.7s

79 | HighGround Dairy January Monthly Market Update

Today’s big question: What if you knew, with 100% certainty, that the milk price would plummet $5 per hundred weight in the next few months … what would you do? If this question has you thinking, you’ve come to the right place, because Curtis Bosma is joining us for the HighGround Dairy Monthly Market Update. Find out: Price Action Update The Big 3 factors are influencing your milk check right now Strategic actions you can take to protect your business Curtis Bosma is vice president of producer services for HighGround Dairy. You can download your own producer market update here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-january-2024 This episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Please note: Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities. Opinions expressed are current opinions as of Jan. 17, 2024, 12:30 p.m., and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

January 25 • 13m 18.1s

78 | Meet Our Monthly Dairy Markets Insider: Curtis Bosma, HighGround Dairy

We’ve got an exciting new addition to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast … a monthly market update to empower you to make informed decisions for your dairy farming business, brought to you by HighGround Dairy. On this episode, we sit down to get to know Curtis Bosma, vice president of producer services for HighGround Dairy, to learn more about his mission to take the stress out of understanding markets and provide you with the tools to protect your dairy business’s profitability. Find out: How Curtis got mud on his boots growing up on dairies in California and the Midwest Cutting his teeth in trading at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) His drive, strategy and outlooks, personally and professionally You can look forward to Curtis’s January update on our next episode, including market movements, commodity inventories and the big three factors influencing your next milk check. This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain. Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at info@highgrounddairy.com

January 23 • 23m 33.5s

77 | Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders featuring Alex Gambonini, HighGround Dairy

And our featured Young Leader today is as dedicated to dairy as they come, Alex Gambonini. Raised on an organic California dairy farm, Alex not only grew up showing cattle and competing in dairy quiz bowl, but she also loved digging into numbers and economics. Today, her passions combined, she is the senior manager of advisory services for HighGround Dairy. Hear how Alex: Dives into the complexities of dairy economics and milk pricing Her very powerful and personal “why” for helping dairy farmers understand milk markets and manage risk And how she uses both in-person and online networking to connect with other professionals Enjoy this conversation with our UD Young Leader, Alex Gambonini. The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is the special podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/

January 18 • 25m 46.1s

76 | Multi-Site Dairy Management: Purchase, lease or let it pass by? with Curtis Gerrits, Compeer Financial

Before you take on that second dairy site, there are four key areas to consider that can make or break the long-term viability and profitability of this decision. Curtis Gerrits, Senior Dairy Lending Specialist from Compeer Financial, is having these conversations on the regular, and he is going to walk us through these four critical areas and leave you with greater insights for your own decision-making on whether to purchase, lease, or pass up an opportunity to take on a satellite dairy site. This Episode is Sponsored by Compeer Financial Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts . Disclosure: Curtis Gerrits and his family hold a partial ownership stake in Breeze Dairy Group. Compeer Financial is an equal opportunity employer and provide, and an equal credit opportunity lender.

January 16 • 31m 16s

75 | Conversando con Líderes Lecheros (Conversations with Dairy Leaders) - Juan Quezada, Milk Source, y Elsie Gonzalez Leach, Motiva Dairy Consulting

La presentadora invitada Elsie González Leach de Motiva Dairy Consulting se sienta con Juan Quezada de Milk Source para hablar sobre su trayectoria profesional, desde sus inicios como ordeñador hasta 25 años después, liderando a 650 personas como director de capacitación y desarrollo de la operación láctea. Descubra cómo comparte sus conocimientos para ayudar a otros a alcanzar su propio éxito y creer en lo que es posible para usted. Suscríbase a Motiva Dairy Consulting en YouTube para ver esta entrevista y más recursos en español sobre capacitación y desarrollo de liderazgo en el sector lechero: https://www.youtube.com/@MotivaDairyConsulting https://www.motivadairy.com/ Guest host Elsie Gonzalez Leach from Motiva Dairy Consulting sits down with Juan Quezada from Milk Source to talk about his career journey, from starting as a milker to 25 years later, leading 650 people as director of training and development for the dairy operation. Find out how he shares his knowledge to help others achieve their own success and believe in what is possible for you. Subscribe to Motiva Dairy Consulting on YouTube for this interview and more Spanish resources on dairy leadership training and development: https://www.youtube.com/@MotivaDairyConsulting https://www.motivadairy.com/

January 11 • 35m 31.4s

74 | 5 Principles of Leadership with Juan Quezada, Director of Training and Development, Milk Source LLC

We have some exciting things coming your way on the next episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast … an episode in Spanish is coming soon! But first, on today’s episode, Peggy sits down with Juan Quezada, director of training and development at Milk Source, to uncover his 5 principles of leadership. Then, on our next episode, you will get to hear the in-depth interview in Spanish, with Juan and Elsie Gonzalez Leach, from Motiva Dairy Consulting. You will want to hit “subscribe” on Elsie’s new Motiva Dairy Consulting channel on YouTube, where you will find free resources in Spanish for dairy training and leadership development and more high-impact “Conversations with Dairy Leaders” to come! Subscribe to Motiva Dairy Consulting on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MotivaDairyConsulting This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more here: https://www.adisseo.com/en/

January 9 • 34m 25.7s

73 | The Power of One Word featuring Katie DiGangi, Zoetis/Darlington Ridge Farms

Welcome back, friends, for more in this special series we are dropping each day this week on Uplevel Dairy - catching up with our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023 12 months ago. In this last episode in this series, you get to hear from Katie DiGangi about her word “presence” and what that meant for her family and relationships, and I share about my word “truth” and the unexpected shifts it provoked. And find out what Katie and have chosen for our “one word” for 2024! Interested in what other dairy professionals chose as their 2024 word? Check out the rest of this mini-series below! https://open.spotify.com/episode/407zMXKFIMlYkmPV7YAh2V?si=gAOAGoPvRQykXxjN-rUNPw Eliza Ruzic with Zinpro: https://open.spotify.com/episode/58yvjNXptKTm5yjgZYQza9?si=R4eQ0JLcRrqV2-M0FUMo1w Jared Yousey with Sunnyside Farms: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Byhq1p6h2yrTJ0nMsVKI0?si=tS0b9s3uRLu3REbBLzeIqg Travis Speirs with Shiloh Dairy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cENTqPtPJaEIyKKwWGWYa?si=17iL4quBRQSmxoyOJBS0Kw Jessica Pralle Trimner from Miltrim Farms: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wus0sznNiGNTqH3f3Ffkz?si=gleU5iQ_RNyQg_wlYuqbrg

January 8 • 47m 0.3s

72 | The Power of One Word featuring Tera Baker, Nedap

Welcome back, friends, for more in this special series we are dropping each day this week on Uplevel Dairy - catching up with our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023 12 months ago, and finding out who stuck to their word, who has been transformed by it and who can’t wait to dig into their new word for 2024! And if you recall our conversation with Tera Baker from Nedap one year ago, you may recall that she was in the mode to “build” in 2023. As a young farmer along side her husband, they were investing in building their own farming enterprise, building their family with the addition of their first child and building out solutions for dairy farmers through Nedap. How did it go? Let’s find out!

January 5 • 15m 23.3s

71 | The Power of One Word featuring Jared Yousey, Sunnyside Farms

We are kicking off 2024 with a series each day this week, revisiting our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023. We are finding out who stuck to their word, who has been transformed by it and who can’t wait to dig into their new word for 2024. I'm joined today by Jared Yousey from Sunnyside Farms in Scipio Center, New York. Let’s hear what Jared has picked for his word for 2024, and take some time to reflect on the two powerful words he combined last year, gratitude and opportunity or “grati-tunity,” and how he truly lived by and led by those words as a dairy manager, a softball coach and with the most important people in his life.

January 4 • 28m 53s

70 | The Power of One Word featuring Jessica Pralle Trimner, Miltrim Farms

Here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are continuing to kick off 2024 with a series each day this week, revisiting our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023. And we are joined today by Jessica Pralle Trimner in Athens, Wis. What strides has Miltrim Farms taken to move “forward” in the past year? Find out the high-impact actions that have lead to some successes worth celebrating.

January 3 • 31m 9.5s

The Power of One Word featuring Eliza Ruzic, Zinpro

Here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are kicking off 2024 with a series each day this week, revisiting our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023. Get ready to get into the minds and the hearts of these dairy leaders whom I also call friends, to hear how their one word transformed 2023, and the word they have chosen to live by in 2024! And our guest today pushed her mindset to new levels - with big changes in her worklife, personal life and community service. How did Eliza Ruzic from Zinpro persevere through 2023? Let’s find out!

January 2 • 27m 48.5s

68 | The Power of One Word Featuring Travis Speirs, Shiloh Dairy

Here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are kicking off 2024 with a series each day this week, revisiting our guests from last year who shared their "one word" for 2023. Get ready to get into the minds and the hearts of these dairy leaders whom I also call friends, to hear how their one word transformed 2023, and the word they have chosen to live by in 2024! And speaking of top performers, I'm joined today by Travis Speirs from Shiloh Dairy in Brillion, Wis. Hear his reflection from the past year and what's in store for this dairy producer in 2024. Hear more from Travis on Creating a Winning Culture on Ep. 44: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/44---4-High-Impact-Actions-to-Create-a-Winning-Farm-Culture---Travis-Speirs-e29q3oo/a-aadclqr

January 1 • 25m 43.3s

67 | 6 Dairy Leaders Share their Word of the Year from 2023

One year ago, I sat down with six dairy leaders who all chose one word to live by for 2023. Some were dairy owners, others managers, and a couple of friends who work on the industry side too. What did they say one year ago, about their word and how they wanted to bring it to life in 2023? Who stuck with it? Who was transformed by it? Well, I’ve been catching up with these friends to find out, and you’ll get to all about it in our upcoming episodes next week, but first, I’m bringing back their original Uplevel Dairy Podcast episode where these 6 dairy leaders each shared their word and their vision for how they wanted it to shape 2023. Featured dairy leaders: Jared Yousey, Sunnyside Farms, New York Jessica Pralle-Trimner, Miltrim Farms, Wis. Travis Speirs, Shiloh Dairy, Wis. Katie DiGangi, Zoetis/Darlington Ridge Dairy Tera Baker, Nedap Eliza Ruzic, Zinpro So did these six dairy friends live up to their word and their intentions for 2023? Come back next week to find out on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast!

December 31 • 53m 57.1s

66 | Starting a Dairy Farm with $20,000 with Paul Windemuller, Dream Winds Dairy, Coopersville, Michigan

Some say it's impossible to start a dairy farm from scratch these days, but 9 years ago, Michigan dairyman Paul Windemuller did it ... with just $20,000 in cash. Get ready to tap into the business mindset of this entrepreneurial dairy farmer today. You're going to hear about the business practices Paul brought back to the U.S. from New Zealand to start his dairy with 30 leased cows in an old turkey coop and a homemade milking parlor, and how he got to where he is 9 years later: with a 250-cow herd in a robot barn. It doesn't matter how many cows you milk or acres you run. You are going to find some powerful takeaways in Paul's story, and hear about his next venture of traveling around the world and sharing stories through his new AgCulture Podcast. Links Connect with Paul Windemuller on LinkedIn and find AgCulture Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube, and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Podcast Website: www.agculturepodcast.com Follow Dream Winds Dairy on Instagram: #dreamwindsdairy

December 26 • 46m 35.6s

65 | Uplevel Dairy Young Leader: Michael Neves

Our featured Uplevel Dairy Young Leader today is Michael Neves. He joins us from California, though he has a network in the dairy community that reaches around the world. The first few years of Michael’s career included working with startups in technology and animal health, before finding a great fit for his skillset as business development manager for Progressive Dairy Solutions. Hear about: How his entrepreneurial spirit almost led him to owning a McDonald's franchise at age 19 His passion for helping dairy farmers get paid for their sustainability practices And the skills that he uses to have a seat at tables that are often filled with people twice his age. Young producers and professionals will relate to the challenges and opportunities Michael sees, and those of us who are more seasoned can also take notes on what an ambitious young dairy leader desires in the workplace. The Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Podcast is THE podcast series for producers and professionals in the first 5 years of their dairy careers. Find it on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, as well as its own platform, Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Join the Uplevel Dairy Young Leaders Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/792440762650346/

December 21 • 21m 38s

64 | Uplevel Dairy’s Top 5 Business and Leadership Resources

Looking for a quick list of great business and leadership books, videos and podcasts? Uplevel Dairy Podcast owner and host Peggy Coffeen shares her “Top 5” business and leadership resources that she has been tapping into for the past 12 months. From millionaire entrepreneurs to church pastors, Peggy tells you how these resources apply to your dairy business, why they are worth your time and provides the links for quick access to reaching your own next level in business and leadership. Looking for the resources mentioned in today's show? Head over to the show notes here to get all the details!

December 19 • 19m 44.1s

63 | The One Question the Most Progressive Dairy Managers are Asking with Elsie Gonzalez-Leach

What if there was just one question you could ask in the interview process to identify your next best, long-term employee? What if asking that one question not only helped you to fill an open spot today, but opened the door for that right person to stay with you for a decade, and who is bought into your vision and motivated to help achieve your goals and benchmarks for your business? Elsie Gonzalez Leach, founder of Motiva Consulting works with some of the best dairies in the country to improve operational efficiencies and build strong teams, and she about to share with us the one thing that she says the most progressive dairy owners and managers are doing that completely transforms their hiring process and sets up a new employee for long term success that empowers and motivates the individual and they way the contribute to your team. This episode is sponsored by Adisseo, global leader in animal nutrition and premium provider of rumen protected methionine for dairy producers who want to capture the power of components and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. More from Elsie Gonzalez-Leach: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/upleveldairy/episodes/62--How-to-Shave-Hours-off-of-Milking-Shifts-with-Elsie-Gonzalez-Leach-e2d4bk3 Contact: Elsie González-Leach Motiva Consulting Cell: 262.388.9096 Email: elsie.gonzalez@motiva.consulting Visit Motiva Consulting on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Motiva-Consulting-716448728490404/

December 14 • 10m 52.3s