236 | Balancing Technology and Tradition with Adam Westenbroek, Westwind Farms
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Adam Westenbroek of Westwind Farms in Bakersfield, California. Adam shares how cutting-edge technology is empowering him to be both the dairyman and the dad he wants to be.
He emphasizes the importance of implementing technological advancements, such as activity monitoring and sort gates, to improve cow comfort and efficiency, which in turn has allowed him to spend more time with his family. Adam also talks about the personal and professional growth he's experienced and his ongoing commitment to constantly improve his dairy operations. This episode highlights the intersection of traditional hard work with modern innovations to achieve sustainable and successful dairy farming.
About 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 for more episodes in this series throughout 2025
00:00 Introduction to Adam Westenbroek and Westwind Farms
01:03 Adam's Journey into Dairy Farming
03:21 Challenges and Innovations in Dairy Farming
08:48 Family Life and Work Balance
13:32 Embracing Technology for Better Dairy Management
16:38 Letting Go of the Old Ways
17:06 Embracing Technology in Dairy Farming
17:40 Impact of Technology on Daily Operations
18:38 Improving Cow Handling and Health
20:26 Reproductive Goals and Challenges
21:36 Breeding Program Strategies
22:40 Future Plans for Dairy Optimization
24:18 Personal Growth and Leadership
25:28 Uplevel 5: Getting to Know Adam
29:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections