Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Epizódok

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  385 | A Workforce Fix for Dairy? Congressman GT Thompson on What Comes Next 06.10.2026 14p

  Live from World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, Peggy Coffeen interviews House Agriculture Committee Chair Congressman G.T. Thompson ahead of his roundtable with the American Dairy Coalition. Thompson, a central Pennsylvania dairy farm native, highlights dairy priorities he has championed, including ongoing efforts to restore whole milk options in schools and updates included in “Farm Bill 1.0” signed July 4, 2025, such as modernizing Dairy Margin Coverage from 5 to 6 million pounds and offering a 25% multi-year sign-up discount, along with provisions affecting make allowances and milk marketing orders.The conversation centers on workforce needs and Thompson’s bipartisan Securing Agricultural Workforce Act, which would make year-round dairy eligible for the H-2A program by replacing “seasonal” with “temporary” (under 350 days). He urges listeners to contact Congress and the White House to pass SAWA now.Stay tuned for more exclusive conversations captured from World Dairy Expo coming out soon!01:08 GT Thompson's Ag Roots02:14 Whole Milk Push03:18 Farm Bill Wins05:52 Workforce Focus06:35 SAWA Explained08:32 Why Visas Matter10:52 Call to Action13:35 Wrap Up Thanks
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  384 | People First: The Leadership Philosophy Behind a Growing Dairy 01.10.2026 55p

  Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is onsite with Josh Webb, at multi-generational Heglar Creek Dairy near Declo, Idaho, a fifth-generation family operation that relocated from Utah in the mid-1970s and has since grown and diversified. Webb describes the family’s structured pathway into the business, requiring education, outside work, interviews, and defined roles, as well as a clear exit strategy including retirement expectations.He explains how the operation expanded into multiple enterprises, and how two nearby dairies differ in breeds and milking systems, including a 2018 Jersey robot barn with 18 Lely units. Webb discusses being early adopters of technology, adopting Milc group's cloud-based OneFeed and OneAnimal for real-time accuracy and integration, prioritizing “first who, then what” in hiring, using EOS-style meetings, and partnering with Danone, including transitioning to non-GMO feed and related regenerative changes. The episode emphasizes legacy as building people and work ethic so the next generation can keep evolving.This episode is brought to you by Milc Group.Milc Group is a dairy software company that brings real-time, actionable data to dairy farms across the world. They are dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy industry with their user-friendly cloud-based software. ONE™ by Milc Group is our all-in-one app that brings together all the important aspects of your dairy together in one place. With products such as feed and animal management software, people training, dairy facility monitoring, and scale management, Milc Group is committed to providing producers with tools they need to succeed.02:33 Five Generations To Idaho04:52 Earning Your Way Back10:01 Diversifying Beyond Dairy11:40 Rules For Entry And Exit13:38 Two Dairies Two Systems16:40 Why Build A Robot Barn22:51 First Who Then What25:02 Recruiting And Retaining Talent26:56 Meetings Support And Tech Tools29:57 Tech That Empowers Teams30:59 OneFeed Simple Accuracy34:56 Defining Dairy Success36:14 Future Manager Skills38:14 Partnering With Danone42:13 Legacy Beyond The Farm51:20 Work Ethic Sweat Pledge
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  383 | Help Them Believe in Themselves | Peter Coyne on Coaching and Mentoring Dairy's Next Generation 29.09.2026 48p

  Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy interviews longtime dairy industry leader Peter Coyne about the relationships that shaped his life and his responsibility to “pay it back to the next in line.” Coyne describes his path from growing up in western New York around Holsteins and influential cow people, to working with Pinehurst, attending UW–River Falls, managing and expanding dairy herds, enduring a difficult partnership exit, gaining key leadership experience at John Dee Farm, and later joining VitaPlus, where he contributes cow and people management skills.Ahead of World Dairy Expo, he shares his family’s involvement and his 41 years coaching dairy judging, emphasizing connection, culture, perseverance, learning through mistakes, and helping young people believe in themselves, often through simple acts like remembering names, giving time, and encouragement to keep moving.This Episode is brought to you by AdisseoThis 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/07:20 From New York to Dairy Career13:21 Hard Lessons and Big Leaps16:06 Joining VitaPlus19:40 Culture and Perseverance25:44 Risk Taking Mindset31:13 Giving Back Through Coaching39:00 What Makes a Great Coach47:55 Showing Cows Builds Grit49:51 Learning Beside Great People51:07 Mistakes Create Experience54:54 Coach Versus Mentor56:32 Mentoring Across Generations01:01:05 Life Advice for Students01:10:48 Parting Words and Payback01:15:25 Expo Stories and Wins
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  382 | Transforming Dairy Risk Management with Jim Matthews and Duane Banderob 24.09.2026 30p

  Today, on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Duane Banderob and Jim Matthews about Ever.Ag separating into two standalone organizations.  EA Risk, formerly Ever.Ag Risk Management, is now an independent company focused solely on managing commodity markets across the agricultural supply chain. They share that it’s the same people, producer relationships, and farmer-first focus that the market has come to know over the past two decades. They explain that services remain unchanged, including protecting revenue and input risk through livestock and crop insurance, futures and options, energy and feed procurement strategies, advisory/consulting, and market publications, supported by their proprietary Vault platform and EA Risk Insights research.The team sees the split as a chance to sharpen focus, improve technology and customer experience, and evolve offerings as dairy operations face increasing complexity, including beef-on-dairy exposure, digesters, new financing realities, and higher capital costs, while maintaining on-farm relationship standards and continuity for clients.EA Risk, formerly Ever.Ag Risk Management, partners with dairy producers to build customized risk management plans that help protect margins in any market environment. With dedicated advisors, industry-leading technology, and proven tools like Dairy Revenue Protection, we help farms reduce uncertainty and secure long‑term financial strength. Learn more at https://ea-risk.carrd.co/.00:00 Dairy Risk Shifts02:02 Ever.Ag Shift Explained03:47 Services That Stay07:33 What Changes Next09:19 Vault Platform Insights10:10 Industry Risks Ahead13:06 Core Philosophy: Relationships16:09 Legacy Of Dairy Markets18:24 Buggy Lesson22:04 One Year Outlook28:07 World Dairy Expo Plans
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  381 | Beyond the Protocol: Why People Are the Key to Better Animal Care 22.09.2026 50p

  Today, Peggy Coffeen is onsite as she welcomes Dr. Tera Barnhardt to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast to discuss leadership, communication, and navigating hard seasons in production agriculture. Dr. Barnhardt, a Kansas-based veterinarian, mom, business owner, and agriculture advocate, describes serving dairies, calf ranches, and feed yards across southwest Kansas and the High Plains while managing heavy animal movement logistics and regulatory paperwork. She explains that effective problem solving depends less on perfect protocols and more on understanding each farm’s systems and people, especially as many employees lack agricultural backgrounds. Barnhardt emphasizes culturally aware training and tailoring communication to owners, managers, and frontline workers using different formats and technologies. She reflects on formative animal welfare leadership experiences in a large feeding operation, lessons from the H5N1 outbreak and consumer trust, and advice to view hard days as growth opportunities while integrating, not balancing, work and family.Heritage Vet Partners is the nation’s leading veterinary partnership, specializing in mixed and large animal practices.  Heritage Vet Partners provides a unique partnership model that preserves local practice legacies, serving dairy and other livestock producers and companion animal owners through shared services, data, and strategic growth. Learn more at HeritageVetPartners.com01:04 Meet Dr. Tera Barnhardt02:22 Many Hats and Advocacy04:30 Why Rural Kansas06:24 A Day on the Road09:09 Problem Solving Systems11:40 Training for Welfare14:34 Leadership Lessons Feedyard20:32 Adapting to Change22:27 Communication Across Cultures27:26 Social Media and Audiences29:53 H5N1 Frontline Story38:26 Advice for Young Vets41:51 Integrating Work and Family
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  380 | From Vegetarian to Dairy Advocate: How Jill Houin Found Her Place in Dairy 17.09.2026 38p

  Peggy Coffeen interviews Jill Houin at Homestead Dairy in Plymouth, Indiana, where the family milks 5,000 cows across three sites, including a 2,200-cow robotic dairy with 36 robots and a semi-automatic feed system. Jill, a former New Jersey teacher and vegetarian who married into the dairy, describes learning farm life, becoming the farm’s tour guide and key messenger, and using truthful, practical explanations to convert skeptics. She shares how community tours brought 1,000 visitors in three hours, and highlights sustainability stories like generating electricity from manure and Notre Dame food waste to power about 1,000 homes an hour. Jill also discusses taking on farm bookkeeping, mediating family perspectives, working with Spanish-speaking staff and interns from Mexico, and launching The Break Room Meat Market restaurant featuring the farm’s beef and other local products.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.⁠00:00 Meet Jill Houin01:47 Robotic Dairy Updates02:35 From Jersey to Dairy05:40 Vegetarian to Advocate07:21 Tours and Key Messages11:59 Handling Tough Questions15:41 Books and Office Role19:31 Delegation and Hiring21:50 Culture and Worker Respect23:09 Restaurant Origin Story23:45 Local Meat Market Vision24:29 Farm Story Branding25:00 COVID Hug To Deal26:46 Buying And Expanding27:24 Naming The Break Room27:46 Crystal Mess Challenge28:33 Menu And Accommodations29:29 Ownership And Creativity30:19 Dreams And Travel31:34 Meaning And Mission
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  379 | Join us for Showbox Stories Live at World Dairy Expo 2026! 15.09.2026 21p

  Peggy Coffeen is joined today by Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires and Jared Krull of CowManager on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast to announce that the popular Showbox Stories series will be recorded live at World Dairy Expo on Thursday, October 1, from about 8:00–10:30 a.m. on the Tanbark stage, with CowManager as premier sponsor. They recap the project’s purpose of preserving dairy history and authentic voices while highlighting lessons from mentors and industry icons.Tim and Jared discuss learning through conversations on show boxes and around the bulk tank, and preview guests including Dave Thorbahn, Dr. Sheila McGuirk, and many more. Listeners are invited to attend, subscribe to hear episodes later, and submit show box photos and stories for possible on-stage sharing.Submit your Showbox story here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1l6qGl0D1JMEWtG48Y1QHvEAdwHzSpHEHIPaDPAEbUszEdA/viewformThis series is brought to you by CowManager.CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com.Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=allYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager00:00 Showbox Stories Return01:12 Why We Started Recording02:35 Icons and Lessons Learned04:47 Live Tanbark Announcement05:28 Meet Jared Krull06:53 Why CowManager Cares08:53 Guest Lineup Sneak Peek11:40 Submit Your Showbox Photo12:49 Jared and Tim Share Stories16:46 Peggy Trophy Trade Tale21:36 Join Us at Expo
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  378 | Gear up for World Dairy Expo 2026 with Showbox Stories Ft. Jeff Butler, Butlerview Farm 11.09.2026 33p

  As we gear up for World Dairy Expo 2026, we’re bringing back a favorite from the Showbox Stories series recorded at World Dairy Expo. In this episode, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott sit down with Jeff Butler of Butler View Farms to hear about his journey in the dairy industry—from his early days in 4-H to his success with show cattle and his continued commitment to the future of dairy.Jeff shares memorable experiences, the mentors who helped shape his career, and how technology like CowManager is influencing modern dairy practices. It’s a conversation about heritage, vision, innovation, and the importance of investing in the next generation of dairy farmers.If you’re heading to World Dairy Expo 2026, this is a great episode to revisit as we get ready for another week of celebrating the people, cattle, and stories that make the dairy industry so special.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:39 The Humble Beginnings of Showbox Stories02:19 Showbox Stories Series and Cow Manager Partnership03:37 Guest Introduction: Jeff Butler from Butlerview Farms05:15 Jeff Butler's Early Days and Mentors09:49 First Experiences at World Dairy Expo13:11 Building a Successful Show String19:44 The Role of Technology in Modern Dairy Farming22:51 International Intrigue Sale and Industry Impact28:13 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsThis series is brought to you by CowManager.CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com.Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=allYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager
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  377 | The Future of Holstein Genetics and Efficient Dairy Management with Seagull Bay Dairy and WinStar Genetics 08.09.2026 1ó 6p

  What does the dairy cow of the future need to do better and what tools will help get her there?Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Seagull Bay Dairy in Idaho with brothers Greg and John Andersen to discuss how decades of genetics work shaped their multi-site operations and global influence through Seagull Bay and WinStar Genetics. The Andersens share the story behind Seagull Bay Dairy, the foundation cows and influential genetics that shaped their program. They also discuss how genomics has accelerated genetic progress and helped improve traits such as production, fertility, longevity, and calving ability.Looking ahead, Greg and John discuss the future of dairy genetics, including their focus on polled genetics through Winstar Genetics and the traits they believe will become increasingly important: hoof health, calf health, mastitis resistance, longevity, and feed efficiency.The conversation also dives into using cloud-based technology and real-time data to manage multiple dairy locations, improve feeding and reproduction decisions, and give their teams the information they need to operate with greater precision. For them, building a successful dairy isn't just about producing more, it's about continually improving, developing great people, and creating a family business built to last.Milc Group is a dairy software company that brings real-time, actionable data to dairy farms across the world. They are dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy industry with their user-friendly cloud-based software. ONE™ by Milc Group is our all-in-one app that brings together all the important aspects of your dairy together in one place. With products such as feed and animal management software, people training, dairy facility monitoring, and scale management, Milc Group is committed to providing producers with tools they need to succeed.02:09 Seagull Bay Day Origins03:25 Growing Multi-Site Dairies05:40 Holstein Versus Crossbreeding13:27 Genomics Lessons Learned15:49 Winstar Genetics Launch17:22 Polled Breakthrough Mendel22:53 Next Traits To Select27:42 Cloud Feeding With ONEfeed32:03 ONEanimal and Lely Integration34:18 Robot Data Integration35:56 Repro Reporting Upgrades37:10 Tracking Repro Performance37:49 New Repro KPI Goals39:08 Breeding Strategy Mix40:45 Staying Sustainable43:38 People Over Technology45:13 Culture And Expectations46:44 Defining Success Metrics50:18 Vision Mission Legacy54:08 Passing On Values
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  376 | Stewardship in Action: Building a Dairy for the Next Generation 03.09.2026 29p

  What does it really take to build a dairy that can thrive for generations?In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Mitch Perkins of Perkins Twin Creek Farm in Indiana, a third-generation family dairy milking 450 cows and farming 2,700 acres. Mitch shares what it means to step into a family legacy and make decisions that honor what previous generations built while preparing the farm for what comes next.From investing in robotic milking technology to embracing high-oleic soybeans and creating new opportunities within their cropping operation, Mitch talks about approaching innovation through the lens of stewardship, profitability, and long-term sustainability. He also shares why knowing when to walk away from an opportunity can be just as important as knowing when to say yes.At the heart of the conversation is a simple philosophy: do the little things right, and those things become the big things.This episode is a thoughtful look at making intentional decisions, staying personally involved, and building a dairy that gives the next generation an opportunity to carry the legacy forward.This Episode is brought to you by AdisseoThis 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/00:00 Legacy and Responsibility02:03 Meet Perkins Twin Creek03:24 Robots Plus Parlor04:35 Lessons From Grandpa07:05 Sustainability Equals Profit09:19 High Oleic Breakthrough11:52 Selling Beans to Dairies14:08 Robots Decision Process15:41 Saying No to Premium17:55 Dairy Marketing and Health23:16 Attracting Next Generation25:09 Traditions and Diligence
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  375 | When the Farm Is Your 401(k): Can the Next Generation Afford Your Retirement? 01.09.2026 24p

  On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Pauly Paul of Complete Management Consulting discusses why many dairy transition plans fail financially even after legal ownership is transferred. As retiring owners depend on the farm as their “401(k)” through monthly, annual, or lump-sum buyouts, the same dairy must also support the next generation’s management, added labor layers, and new debt, often amid tight cash flow from low milk prices and weak cropping margins.Pauly describes cases where payroll spikes from added middle management, outside partners gain cattle equity and can destabilize herd size, and families refinance and roll growing lines of credit into the farm, eroding equity and jeopardizing retiree payments. Key recommendations include knowing the financials, keeping retirees engaged through regular reviews, using objective third-party oversight, and holding quarterly multi-generation meetings to determine whether the business is building or consuming equity.This Episode is brought to you by Complete Management ConsultingLearn more about Complete Management Consulting at:www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com⁠⁠[email protected]⁠920-418-313500:00 Can the Farm Afford It01:00 When Transitions Fail02:23 Farm as Retirement Plan03:33 Payroll and Debt Spiral06:40 Why Calls Are Rising09:22 Outside Equity Risks12:51 Third Party Oversight17:17 Know Your Numbers Now19:25 Plan Ahead at 55
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  374 | 2026 Industry Person of the Year: Corey Geiger 27.08.2026 35p

  In this special collaboration episode of World Dairy Expo’s The Dairy Show podcast and Uplevel Dairy, Peggy Coffeen interviews Cory Geiger, who was named World Dairy Expo’s 2026 Industry Person of the Year, about the experiences and mentors that shaped his career as a Hoard’s Dairyman editor, CoBank dairy economist, author, and youth mentor. Geiger recalls receiving the award call, his pivotal 1990 World Dairy Expo judging-team trip that solidified his passion, and early influences including his father’s lessons on money and genetics.He describes his CoBank role spanning research, speaking, and client work, including efforts to quantify genetics’ economic value, shift milk metrics toward components, and model herd replacement amid beef-on-dairy. Geiger also recounts co-editing the 50th anniversary book We Need a Show, writing recognition scripts, and publishing award-winning books chronicling farm history, emphasizing mentorship, sparking youth interest, and being remembered for making people think and feel valued.This episode has been brought to you in collaboration with World Dairy Expo and the Dairy Show Podcast. Save the dates for the 2026 World Dairy Expo taking place September 29 - October 2, 2026. Learn more at⁠ https://worlddairyexpo.com/⁠.01:13 Servant Leadership Roots03:19 The Award Phone Call04:44 World Dairy Expo Spark07:54 From Farm Kid to Economist10:37 Mentors and Giving Back13:50 CoBank Role and Research18:46 We Need a Show Book26:17 Writing Recognition Scripts27:25 Becoming a Published Author30:41 Legacy and Mentorship
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  373 | 2026 International Person of the Year: Robert Chicoine 25.08.2026 36p

  Today, Peggy Coffeen interviews Robert Chicoine, World Dairy Expo’s 2026 International Person of the Year, in a collaboration with The Dairy Show. Chicoine recounts how a childhood fascination sparked by Holstein Canada’s journal led him from a dairy farm background to university, a summer at Quebec’s AI center, and a career developing a young sire proving program starting in 1966.He describes advancing data-driven sire selection through herd-mate comparisons, selecting influential Holstein bulls including Hanoverhill Starbuck and Craiglen Sevens Senator, and helping form the Semex Alliance in 1997 to strengthen Canada’s global genetics reach. Chicoine reflects on major industry innovations—frozen semen, sexed semen, genomics, IVF, and embryo freezing—notes rapid genomic-era progress and concerns about inbreeding, and shares leadership lessons on foresight and building strong teams.This episode has been brought to you in collaboration with World Dairy Expo and the Dairy Show Podcast. Save the dates for the 2026 World Dairy Expo taking place September 29 - October 2, 2026. Learn more at https://worlddairyexpo.com/.01:10 Robert Reacts to Honor02:02 Holstein Journal Origins03:59 AI Center Breakthrough06:36 Building Young Sire Program08:49 Semex Alliance Vision12:08 Finding Legendary Bulls18:38 Tech That Changed Breeding23:12 Leadership and Teamwork26:35 Retirement and Future Concerns
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  372 | From Days to Hours: The Future of Dairy Diagnostics 20.08.2026 50p

  Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Kyle Becker, a Heritage Vet Partners veterinarian and former Indiana dairy farm kid who learned to AI cows at 12 and began practicing immediately after graduation. Becker describes his atypical, influencer-style DiSC profile and how it supports team-building, client collaboration, and bridging ownership–employee gaps on modern dairies. He shares using Krishi’s SHERPA Vision technology to rapidly analyze nasal swabs for antibiotic resistance, enabling treatment plans within hours and earlier intervention on the ascending side of a disease “bell curve,” with examples including a stressed calf raiser and a Salmonella Dublin outbreak with no deaths. Becker discusses adapting to changing disease, production, and technology, balancing farmer and veterinarian perspectives, raising five children involved in chores, and prioritizing community service, learning, and farm culture.Heritage Vet Partners is the nation’s leading veterinary partnership, specializing in mixed and large animal practices.  Heritage Vet Partners provides a unique partnership model that preserves local practice legacies, serving dairy and other livestock producers and companion animal owners through shared services, data, and strategic growth. Learn more at HeritageVetPartners.com04:34 Growing Up Dairy05:41 AI School at 1210:47 Choosing Vet Medicine12:56 Thrown Into Practice14:20 Going Solo Consulting15:54 Connector Problem Solver18:28 Rapid Resistance Testing22:32 Managing the Bell Curve26:43 Salmonella Rapid Response28:06 Speed Beats Analysis28:54 Finding The PI Calf30:55 Four Days Saved32:05 Future Of Animal Health35:19 Vet And Farmer Perspective38:24 Family And Farm Chores40:46 Community First Values
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  371 | Breeding for the Bottom Line: Genetics That Work in the Real World 18.08.2026 25p

  Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Luke Getty of Ideal Dairy and Cookiecutter Holsteins in Eastern New York to discuss the role of genetics, technology, and long-term decision-making in building a successful dairy operation. Getty shares the evolution of the family-owned business, which has grown through strategic expansion while also developing a global genetics program.He reflects on the transition to Ideal Dairy, his early skepticism around genomics, and how seeing genomic outliers become top-performing animals changed his perspective. He also discusses how IVF, genomic testing, and intentional breeding decisions have helped accelerate genetic progress and support the dairy's growth.Getty shares how the operation approaches breeding for cows that are moderate in size, productive, healthy, fertile, and built for longevity, with a focus on traits such as strong feet and udders, high components, and mastitis resistance. He also highlights measurable improvements in herd health, including somatic cell count, and explains how genetics can support both current performance and long-term sustainability.United Sires is a partnership of well-known Holstein breeders from the United States bringing genetic solutions to dairy producers worldwide. Our mission, “Breed the Best, Better,” reflects the work we have been doing on our farms for generations. As multi-generational dairy farmers, we adhere to a simple yet powerful principle: We Milk What We Make. We understand the importance of breeding cattle that are profitable throughout their lifetimes, functional across all dairy enterprises, and aesthetically pleasing. Learn more at UnitedSires.com and follow on Facebook.com @UnitedSires and @unitedsiresofficial on Instagram.00:00 Genetics Build Businesses00:54 Luke’s Genomics Turning Point03:06 Scaling Ideal Dairy Fast05:19 Breeding the 10 Year Cow06:33 United Sires Explained08:18 Genetics for Every Market10:36 EU Demand and No Holes Bulls14:31 Health Traits and Happy Teams16:10 Mastitis Gains You Can Measure18:11 Risk Taking and Corrective Mating19:10 Legacy and Next Generation21:20 10 Year Vision and Advice
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  370 | What the Top 20% of Farm Businesses Do Differently with Dr. David Kohl & Lynn Paulson 13.08.2026 32p

  What will separate the most successful farm businesses from the rest over the next decade?Dr. David Kohl and Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank join Peggy Coffeen to discuss the economic and global trends producers should be watching—from consumer demand for protein and AI-driven agriculture to global competition, regenerative agriculture, the coming land transition, and relationship-based lending.They also break down what separates the top 20% of farm businesses: knowing the numbers, having a plan, managing risk, building strong relationships, and consistently doing the small things right.00:00 – Economic & Global Trends01:05 – Protein & Precision Agriculture02:15 – Following the Consumer03:01 – Global Competition04:37 – The Changing Global Landscape07:18 – Regenerative Agriculture08:58 – Agriculture’s Story to Consumers10:59 – The 2032 Land Opportunity12:42 – Land Ownership vs. Control14:04 – Advice for Young Producers17:09 – Planning & Financial Management20:23 – Family Business Accountability22:01 – Relationship Lending26:33 – What Makes a Good Lender?29:01 – What the Top 20% Do Differently30:32 – Excellence at the Margin
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  369 | Beyond the Technology: The People Who Make Dairy Innovation Work 11.08.2026 32p

  Technology may be changing the way dairies operate, but it still takes people to make it work. Today, we visit with Bailey Beck of Automated Dairy in Jerome, Idaho, to find out how she stepped into the dairy industry at just 22 years old, tasked with helping producers get more from the software, data and technology they were investing in. In this episode, Bailey shares how she overcame imposter syndrome, earned the trust of dairy producers and built her expertise by staying curious, coachable and willing to learn everything from cow management to electrical systems. She also opens up about balancing a demanding career with raising three young boys, the mentors who helped shape her along the way, and why, even as AI and automation advance, the human side of dairy innovation may be more important than ever.Milc Group is a dairy software company that brings real-time, actionable data to dairy farms across the world. They are dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy industry with their user-friendly cloud-based software. ONE™ by Milc Group is our all-in-one app that brings together all the important aspects of your dairy together in one place. With products such as feed and animal management software, people training, dairy facility monitoring, and scale management, Milc Group is committed to providing producers with tools they need to succeed.00:00 Meet Bailey Beck02:27 Her Role at Automated Dairy03:21 Starting Young in Dairy Tech04:13 From 4H to Software Support05:44 Making Tech Actually Work07:15 Early Win and Confidence09:05 Be Coachable and Keep Learning12:57 Mentors Who Made the Difference14:15 Career and Motherhood Balance17:38 Self Care and Staying Organized18:15 Milc Group Tools in the Barn20:41 Advice to Her Younger Self21:50 Future of Dairy Technology25:11 Most Rewarding Moments26:08 Rapid Fire on Ag Advocacy28:34 Networking for Young Pros
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  368 | Sitting Down With The Next Generation of Golden E Dairy 06.08.2026 48p

  Part two of The Uplevel Dairy Podcast features Chris and Tracey Elbe’s children—Ryan, Kim, Matt, and Kyle—discussing their roles at Golden E Dairy and how their dad intentionally “molded” each of them toward different strengths. Ryan oversees broad operations and improvements, coordinating with contractors and advisers; Kim focuses on calves, heifers, and some fieldwork while embracing change and learning ideas from social media; Matt handles shop work, spraying, and equipment problem-solving with a direct, impatient style; Kyle feeds heifers, does hay and fieldwork, and serves as the people-focused communicator with employees and others.Together, they describe choosing to stay on the farm as the dairy expanded and reflect on the challenges of farm transition planning, especially “what if” scenarios and finances, emphasizing the value of starting the conversation early and appreciating their parents addressing transition at a younger age.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.Visit https://www.compeer.com/specialists/dairy00:00 Meet the Elbe Kids01:54 Roles on the Farm03:38 Dad’s Quiet Molding06:19 Why They Came Back10:31 Each Sibling’s Strength16:39 Succession Talk Realities19:11 Advice to Start Now19:54 Transition Timeline
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  367 | Golden E Dairy: Building Dreams From the Ground Up 04.08.2026 41p

  On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits with the family behind Golden E Dairy in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where first-generation farmers Chris and Tracey Elbe describe building their dairy from a 64-stall stanchion barn and 250 acres into a self-sufficient enterprise milking 2,900 cows, raising calves, heifers, and steers on site, and operating grain handling and soybean roasting.Chris recounts starting at age nine with calves as pay, learning through hardship, and taking calculated risks to expand from tie-stalls to a parlor and freestalls, then a modern facility with a double-32. Tracey, a former X-ray tech, shares adapting from city life, raising four children who all stayed in the business, and the challenge of letting go during transition. They emphasize hard work, listening to experienced people, strong employees, communication through weekly meetings, and concerns about land costs driven by non-farm uses.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.Visit https://www.compeer.com/specialists/dairy00:00 From Nothing to Golden E01:42 Chris Starts With Calves03:07 Hard Lessons and Bankruptcy03:54 Buying the First Farm06:11 Tie Stall Grind to Parlor07:23 Scaling to 2900 Cows09:06 Tracey Finds Her Place10:04 Raising Kids on the Farm12:39 Family Roles and Mentors16:54 Taking Smart Risks20:39 Tech And Growth Strategy22:20 Kids Roles On Farm23:45 Weekly Meetings Transition26:20 Big Dream Legacy27:15 People Behind Success29:56 Letting Go Of Control33:57 Emotional Handoff Stories37:05 Threats And Opportunities39:06 Advice For New Farmers
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  366 | Service Before Self: A Dairy Veterinarian's Calling 30.07.2026 32p

  Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Dr. Jared Risser of Dairy Veterinary and Management Services in Goshen, Indiana, about dairy veterinary work as a service-driven career built on trust and relationships. Raised on a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania dairy farm, Risser moved to Indiana in 2017, now serves a 50-mile radius with dairies ranging from 10 cows to 4,000, and describes being a “jack of all trades” for many smaller farms.He shares the variety of his days—herd checks, calvings, surgeries, advisory meetings—and a memorable rabies-suspect euthanasia case requiring lab testing after human exposure. Risser discusses how farm technology, especially activity monitoring systems and AI-assisted data analysis, is improving health detection and management decisions, and reflects on gains in components and productivity, humility in practice, and modeling service for his four-year-old son who sometimes joins farm calls.01:44 Jared’s Dairy Roots03:41 Indiana Practice Bubble05:21 Trust on Farm06:15 Crazy Days on Call10:02 Service Meets Tech11:16 Data and AI Wins13:09 Health Monitoring Shift15:44 Future Production Limits19:14 AI for Vets20:52 Bringing Kids Along25:04 Legacy of Service26:45 Rapid Fire Wisdom30:03 Relationships Beyond Cows