Uplevel Dairy Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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.com⁠⁠completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com⁠920-418-313500:00 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.00:00 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

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

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy interviews Pauly Paul of Complete Management Consulting about dairy farms facing tight cash flow, growing accounts payable, and overwhelm. Pauly says recent pressure often comes from loan restructures leading to higher interest rates and larger payments, missed income opportunities such as capturing value from black calves, and the lack of a clear cash-flow plan. He describes farms that can make bank payments via milk-check autopay but fall behind with vendors, sometimes handing over the checkbook so he can prioritize payments and negotiate plans.Pauly emphasizes open communication, sharing complete financial information, and being willing to change rather than “buying” a solution with more equipment debt. His first steps are to increase income, cut expenses, and use on-hand inventory; tactics include improving breeding/conception, increasing milk output, streamlining labor, and negotiating vendor costs. He shares a turnaround story where a farm moved from possible liquidation to repairs and potential expansion.This Episode is Brought to you by Complete Management ConsultingAbout Complete Management Consultingwww.CompleteManagementConsulting.com⁠⁠completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com⁠920-418-313501:21 Why Farms Are Struggling02:46 Real World Cash Flow Calls05:27 Working With Vendors07:12 Temporary Or Long Term08:28 Common Money Mistakes09:43 Three Step Stabilization Plan11:44 Income Opportunities Fast13:40 Communication And Pride15:08 Turnaround Success Story16:52 What Separates Winners

This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features entomologist Dr. Mike Catangui, Ph.D., with MWI Animal Health, who discusses the return of the New World screwworm and why dairy producers far from the southern border must be on alert. He explains how the pest was originally eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s but has now been detected in Texas and New Mexico.Dr. Catangui also notes that adult flies are harmless, but larvae hatch quickly after eggs are laid on wounds (especially calf navels) and feed on live flesh, potentially killing calves within days; bites from ticks and stable or horn flies can also attract egg-laying to any species, of any age.Dr. Catangui reviews prior eradication using the USDA's sterile insect technique, emphasizes vigilance, wound inspection, and fly control, and outlines available preventatives/curatives plus insecticide sprays/foggers and pet treatments from MWI. Suspected cases should be photographed and reported to a veterinarian due to mandatory reporting and existing infestation zones.This episode is sponsored by MWI Animal HealthAt MWI Animal Health, we are your partner in animal health. Our people drive us to think forward every day. We are committed to working with you to identify cutting-edge solutions to your common challenges. We unite with innovators and manufacturers to provide access to products and solutions designed to help you find success in each aspect of your animal health business. Visit www.MWIAH.com00:59 What Screwworm Is01:44 How Calves Get Hit03:09 Eradication History03:47 Dairy Risk Factors05:38 Spread Via Movement07:32 Climate And Vigilance10:09 Fly Control Tools11:35 Products For All Animals12:26 USDA Response Plan14:51 Suspected Case Steps16:53 Key Takeaways18:31 Fairs And Shows Advice

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Josh Peters of Standard Dairy Consultants about earning dairy producers' trust without a dairy-farm background and why showing up and commitment matter. Peters shares his path from raising beef cattle, serving in the military, and working at Simplot to entering dairy nutrition, completing his bachelor's and master's degrees while feeding cows full time, and building long-term client relationships.He discusses early success achieving seven pounds of components, emphasizing that results come from aligning genetics, feeds, infrastructure, and management rather than simple fixes. Since moving to Idaho's Magic Valley, he's seen rapid facility upgrades like cross-vent barns that reduce environmental variability but expose management and labor challenges, making consistency the key competitive advantage. Peters explains using Milc Group feeding software to improve speed, accuracy, and data-driven problem identification, focusing his consulting on bottlenecks and overall profitability, and argues AI won't replace on-farm people willing to walk cows and do the daily work.This Episode is Brought to you by the Milc GroupMilc 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.01:18 Show Up And Commit02:29 Beef Roots To Dairy03:56 Military Mindset04:48 All In On Education06:53 First Herd Breakthrough10:22 Magic Valley Shift15:38 Consistency Over Rations17:49 Tech And Data Tools19:28 Milk Group In Action22:41 Profitability Metrics25:52 Labor And Hidden Leaks33:08 Peeling The Onion36:28 AI Cant Replace People38:34 Future Of Dairy

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen concludes a three-part Farm Forward listener Q&A series with Will McKinley of Menn Law and Pat Sturz, a retired CPA and longtime agriculture tax advisor, discussing why legal and tax planning must be integrated in farm succession. They explain how farm growth and asset write-offs can create future tax problems, why “sell the farm on a land contract” can trigger unexpected upfront taxes due to different asset classes, and how early planning, entity choice, and large early gifting can improve outcomes.They highlight tools like profits interests to share future growth or reward key employees without immediate income tax, strategies like “shadow” partnership entities to move assets out of C corps over time, and the role of stepped-up basis at death. They close with key mistakes, priorities, and the need for readiness and clarity about who will be involved and retirement cash needs.Contact Will McKinley or Pat Sturz at Menn LawWilliam-McKinley@mennlaw.com(920) 731-6631pat_sturz@mennlaw.com715-586-0050Learn more at https://mennlaw.com/Do you have a question on succession and farm transition you would like to hear Will answer on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast? Send your questions to peggy@upleveldairy.com01:13 Meet Will and Pat04:30 Long Term Tax Mindset06:13 Gifting and Entity Choices09:43 Avoid Land Contract Traps12:00 Profits Interest Explained15:20 Shadow Farm Strategy18:32 Biggest Misunderstandings23:19 One Year Retirement Priorities24:42 Common Mistakes and Wrap Up

Today's conversation tackles one of the most emotional and misunderstood topics in farm succession planning: how do you provide for non-farming children without putting the future of the farm at risk?Will McKinley explains why "fair" doesn't always mean "equal" and shares practical strategies that allow farm families to care for every child while protecting the operation they've spent a lifetime building. From trusts and LLCs to long-term leases, purchase options, and structured buyout agreements, you'll learn how thoughtful planning today can prevent conflict tomorrow.Will also shares real-life success stories and heartbreaking cautionary tales that demonstrate exactly what happens when estate plans leave room for ambiguity.Whether you're actively planning your estate or simply beginning family conversations, this episode offers valuable insight into preserving both your farm and your family relationships.Contact Will McKinley at Menn LawWilliam-McKinley@mennlaw.com(920) 731-6631Learn more at https://mennlaw.com/00:00 Why "Fair Isn't Always Equal" in Farm Succession01:28 Understanding the Real Value—and Responsibility—of Inheriting a Farm03:05 Using Trusts and LLCs to Protect Farm Assets05:02 The Biggest Mistake Families Make with Farmland06:15 Purchase Options, Long-Term Leases & Buyout Strategies08:10 Why You Should Never Leave Rent Negotiations to Future Generations09:48 Real Success Story: A Farm Family That Planned Ahead12:58 When Poor Planning Forced a Farm to Shut Down15:05 Good Intentions, Bad Estate Planning17:16 Eliminating Ambiguity Before It Leads to Litigation18:00 Three Questions Every Farm Parent Should Answer Before They're Gone

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews attorney Will McKinley of Menn Law in a three-part follow-up to the Farm Forward conference, focusing on why farm transitions fail and how to prevent it. McKinley cites two primary failure causes: economic infeasibility and psychology/communication breakdowns, including control issues and lack of confidence in successors; he shares examples where debt forced likely land sales and where strict post-death “guardrails” led a son to leave and the dairy to shut down.He emphasizes earlier planning, strong financial advisors, and tools like trusts with independent trustees. Discussing non-family key employees, he warns ownership success is about 50/50, urges transparency, cautions against rushed promises and mingling assets like cattle or equipment, and suggests alternatives such as higher compensation or limited real-estate partnerships.Make sure to tune in tomorrow and Thursday for parts two and three.Contact Will McKinley at Menn Law:William-McKinley@mennlaw.com(920) 731-6631https://mennlaw.com/Do you have a question on succession and farm transition you would like to hear Will answer on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast? Send your questions to peggy@upleveldairy.com00:00 Why Transitions Fail02:16 Two Failure Causes02:40 Debt And Taxes Trap03:52 Psychology And Control08:08 Preventing Financial Failure13:14 Trusts And Guardrails16:18 Non-Family Partners25:50 Avoiding Messy Entanglements

Today, Peggy sits down for an exclusive, 'Ask the Expert' feature with veterinarian Dr.Jan van Dijk of AHV discusses how common stressors in dairy cows, such as calving, transition, heat stress, pen moves, and high production, can disrupt immune function and lead to issues like metritis, mastitis, temperature spikes, reduced rumination, and lost milk that can affect an entire lactation.Dr. Van Dijk explains the damage caused by both overreacting and underreacting immune responses and introduces AHV's Aspi, a plant-extracted immunomodulatory complementary feed given orally as a tablet/liquid or bolus, used proactively or reactively, with no milk withhold. In a farm comparison to an injectable nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory in monitored cows, Aspi lowered temperature more gradually but for longer, maintained activity, improved rumination, and greatly reduced repeat temperature spikes over 20 days.This episode is brought to you by AHVYour herd's health is our priority. You get the best of both worlds: cutting-edge science and practical, hands-on support. With veterinary expertise and applied research behind every solution, you'll have access to insights that matter. Delivered through our dedicated data service and backed by personal guidance from our on-farm consultants. Whether you're making decisions in the barn or reviewing data, we're here to support your goals—every step of the way.Learn more at https://ahvint.com/us/dairy-cows-calves.00:00 Why Cow Stress Matters00:48 Meet The Expert01:22 Signs Of Poor Immunity02:09 Over Vs Under Reaction02:28 Introducing Aspi03:06 How Aspi Is Used04:06 On Farm Trial Results05:17 Reoffending And Recovery06:27 Future Of Immune Modulation07:57 What Aspi Delivers

Today, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Jim Ostrom, president and CEO of Milk Source and co-founder of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin, to discuss how a backyard gathering in Wisconsin grew over 17 years into an event drawing 450–550 people and raising more than $4 million for Children's Wisconsin, a world-class hospital network with 18 branches. Ostrom explains Dairy Cares' purpose and highlights gratitude, welcoming new participants, and inspiring a next generation through youth donations and fundraising efforts.He credits the impact to teamwork, hard work, and shared passion, and shares leadership approaches like envisioning “what could be” and relying on strong partners and teams. Ostrom reflects on tough commodity cycles in dairy, opportunities in beef and efficiency-driven export competitiveness, his personal advice to “compare yourself to yourself yesterday,” his interest in AI, and ways to get involved with a goal to raise $500,000 this year.To get involved in Dairy Cares of Wisconsin's continual impact,Make a donation at dairycaresofwisconsin.orgJoin us for the annual Dairy Cares Garden Party, July 25, De Pere, Wis.Support through the virtual auction: https://pro.gofundme.com/live/register/2026-dairy-cares-of-wisconsin-garden-party/4c24640e-e3ed-4dc9-aa29-d175b99cfe2700:00 Backyard Idea Begins01:41 Garden Party Origins02:27 Mission And Beneficiary04:19 From Dinner To Millions06:20 Next Gen Giving08:20 Welcoming New Leaders09:55 Leadership Behind Impact11:41 Business Vision Teamwork13:51 Industry Opportunities Cycles16:46 Rapid Fire Advice19:10 How To Get Involved

What's inside the minds of the next generation of dairy leaders? We found out last week at the National Holstein Convention, where we sat down with 3 young leaders in the National Junior Holstein Association who are helping shape the future of the organization while representing thousands of junior members nationwide. Through leadership, service, and a whole lot of dedication, they're proving that the next generation is already making an impact.Mykel Mull from California, Cayden Bursiek from Ohio, and Ainsley Sellers from Pennsylvania talk about what inspired each of them to get involved with the National Holstein Junior Advisory Committee, what they've learned through serving in national leadership, how the Junior Advisory Committee gives young people a voice within the Association, and why programs like these matter so much for developing tomorrow's dairy leaders.Whether you're raising the next generation on your farm, involved in youth programs yourself, or simply want a glimpse of where our industry is headed, this conversation will leave you optimistic and inspired too.01:36 Meet the JAC Team02:09 Ainsley's Dairy Story02:51 Cayden's Show Ring Roots03:25 Mykel's Unique Path04:57 What the JAC Does07:11 Programs and Skills Built08:34 Lessons From Nationwide Networking11:22 Leaders Who Inspired Them16:01 Most Impactful Junior Programs19:45 Future Plans in Dairy and Beyond

When a devastating barn fire destroyed the heart of Four Cubs Farms in November 2017, the Peterson family faced a decision that would shape the future of their business for generations to come. In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen continues her conversation with Gary and Cris Peterson, Ben Peterson, and Dairy Manager Nathan Brandt as they reflect on one of the most difficult days in the farm's history—and how it became the catalyst for transformation.From the overwhelming support of neighbors and fellow dairy producers to rebuilding with robotic milking technology, the team shares how resilience, innovation, and a willingness to embrace change helped them emerge stronger than before. The conversation explores how data-driven decision making, animal welfare, technology adoption, and strategic growth are helping Four Cubs Farms remain competitive while preparing for its 150th anniversary and the next generation of leadership.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.02:00 – The day the barn fire changed everything04:00 – Moving cows and saving the herd during the crisis06:00 – Community support and the dairy industry's response07:00 – Rebuilding after the fire and making a major decision08:00 – Choosing robotic milking technology10:00 – Bringing cows home and transitioning to robots12:00 – How the robotic dairy is organized today14:00 – Collecting and using data to improve performance16:00 – Measuring return on investment through data18:00 – Data, profitability, and continuous improvement20:00 – Solving challenges through real-time insights22:00 – Staying competitive in a changing dairy industry23:00 – Cow behavior, stocking density, and robot efficiency25:00 – Labor, technology, and future dairy strategies27:00 – Growth plans and expansion opportunities28:00 – Building the next generation of the herd30:00 – Celebrating 150 years of family farming32:00 – Looking ahead to the future of Four Cubs Farms33:00 – Lessons in resilience, leadership, and perseverance

For nearly 150 years, Four Cubs Farms in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, has been built on a simple principle: people matter.In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Gary and Cris Peterson, their son Ben Peterson, and Dairy Manager Nathan Brandt to explore the leadership, culture, communication, and innovation that transformed a small family dairy into a thriving 1,000-cow operation.From succession planning and employee engagement to genomic testing, feed efficiency, and building trust across generations, this conversation offers valuable lessons for dairy producers looking to create resilient businesses that can thrive well into the future.Whether you're navigating farm transition, building a team, or looking for ways to strengthen your operation's culture, this episode delivers practical insights from a farm that has successfully blended family values with modern dairy management.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.02:00 – Growing from 60 cows to 1,000 cows03:00 – Roles and responsibilities within the farm team05:00 – Cris Peterson's journey from city girl to dairy advocate09:00 – Leadership transition and bringing in outside talent10:00 – Nathan Brandt's path into dairy and Four Cubs Farms13:00 – Building a team with complementary strengths14:00 – Innovation through feed systems and grain storage16:00 – Genetics, genomic testing, and future herd growth20:00 – Nutrition strategies for today's high-performing dairy cows24:00 – The role of culture in farm success27:00 – Trust, communication, and employee retention30:00 – Creating clarity, consistency, and rhythm across the operation32:00 – Succession planning, growth, and preparing for the future

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits with father-daughter veterinarians Dr. Paul Meagher and Dr. Amanda Onan of United Veterinary Services in Northeast Wisconsin about how dairy practice evolved from reactive emergency work to proactive, team-based consulting. Dr. Paul shares his path from a North Dakota dairy farm to nearly 40 years in mixed and large-animal practice, mentors who emphasized prevention, and lessons learned from top producers: the right mindset and decision-making with a consultant team, high-quality forages, and consistency.Dr. Amanda reflects on riding on after-hours calls as a child, emphasizes aligning larger dairy crews around shared goals, and predicts AI-driven tools such as calving-detection cameras and expanded monitoring. They discuss communication, humility, and “living in the light” through positivity and learning from negatives.This episode is brought to you by Heritage Vet Partners.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.com02:10 Paul's Path to Practice03:16 Mentors and Preventive Shift04:59 Amanda's First Farm Call06:45 Supporting Her Vet Dream08:55 Learning From Top Producers10:44 Three Keys to Success16:54 From Firefighting to Consulting19:20 Data and Record Analysis24:15 Future Tech and AI27:32 Family Support and Grandpa Life30:04 Lessons Living in the Light

Shelby Jacquier Washburn, is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and managing partner at Laurel Brook Farm in East Canaan, Connecticut, describes returning from an equine business program during COVID to help manage a 1,500-cow herd and 1,800 acres each of corn and hay/haylage while raising all young stock.In today's conversation, she explains how accepting a 200-tag Nedap trial led to whole-herd collars (Nedap Now) that detect health issues 12–24 hours earlier via rumination, eating time, and milk deviations, informing earlier treatment and culling decisions, identifying lameness, and paying back about half the system cost in a year through reduced hospital time. Data prompted diet changes for fresh cows, improved heats and overall cow brightness, new transition protocols (moving pre-fresh cows two days before due date) that boosted colostrum supply, and heat-stress monitoring that revealed the parlor as a hotspot, leading to added evaporative cooling, fans, and water.This episode is part of the High-Performance Mindset Series powered by Nedap. Nedap is future-proofing dairy farming with smart technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering, sort gates, and AI-powered camera systems. Nedap is improving life on the farm by putting the right cow in the right place at the right time, every time.00:47 Meet Shelby Jacquier Washburn01:14 From Horses to Dairy03:41 Collars Across the Herd05:03 The 200 Tag Leap07:11 Fresh Cow Insights09:08 Diet Tweaks Big Wins11:18 Transition Monitoring Shift12:20 Colostrum Turnaround14:32 Heat Stress Hotspots16:48 What's Next in Tech21:16 Future in Connecticut

How do you lead multiple dairy operations, oversee teams across several states, and still make it home for supper with three young children waiting for you?In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Annie Vannurden, Managing Partner and COO of Silver Streak Dairies, part of the Pace Ag Group. Annie shares what it takes to create consistency across multiple dairy sites while building a culture centered around accountability, communication, employee development, and cow care.From managing site leaders and implementing systems that support growth to navigating the realities of motherhood while pursuing ambitious business goals, Annie offers practical insights for dairy producers, managers, and anyone leading teams in agriculture. Whether you're growing a dairy business, building leadership skills, or trying to balance family and career, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons and honest reflections from someone living it every day.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.⁠01:42 Meet Annie Van Irden01:59 Inside Pace Ag Merge03:43 COO Day To Day06:52 Consistency Across Sites10:18 Clarity And Communication12:55 Maturity And Priorities13:52 People Wins And Expansion17:49 Work Hat Home Hat22:06 Boundaries And Presence26:32 Mentors And Influence31:44 Support System At Home35:13 Planning Routines Calendar

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Sam Fessenden, a Cornell dairy science graduate with a PhD focused on the CNCPS model who worked with nutritionists globally before partnering with his wife Brenda and her parents, Craig and Cathy, to rebuild dairying at their Southeast Minnesota site.In this conversation, Sam shares early mentorship near Cornell, how consulting and barn tours informed their tech-forward design, and how they converted a former 70-stall stanchion operation into a 120-cow, sand-bedded, two-robot, largely automated free-flow barn launched in 2020 while welcoming their first child. He discusses feeding non-pelleted homegrown corn through robots, lessons from managing cows daily (manure observation and feed inventory realities), choosing open-minded advisors, patience in growth decisions, guidance for generational transition, resilience through cost control, extra acres, and value-added black calf raising, and how faith and family motivate raising three kids on the farm.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/⁠01:44 Sam's Dairy Roots05:31 Cornell Mentors and Models08:42 From Consulting to Minnesota09:24 Rebuilding the Dairy Site11:49 Designing a Robot Barn13:45 Automation and Feeding Hacks16:32 Consulting Lessons Applied19:02 Choosing the Right Advisors21:25 Patience and Farm Values23:17 Succession and Growth Plans26:14 Resilience and Black Calves30:46 Family First and Faith

Today, Peggy Coffeen visits Bob and Tara Vandoske at Vandoske Dairy Farms in Cleveland, Wisconsin, to discuss how their 700-cow family dairy farm has grown into diverse business segments, including County Line Creamery, an on-farm ice cream store with viewing windows and open barn access, and a cattle boarding/show-cow facility. They share the farm's multi-generational history, their three children's roles (including show involvement and work responsibilities), and how these ventures create next-generation opportunities and consumer connection.Bob explains the creamery grew from COVID-era interest in local food, progressed through careful planning, and started by bringing in products rather than processing milk. They describe the boarding business' unexpected growth, recent dairy facility upgrades including a new double-12 parallel parlor, and the importance of faith, teamwork, and relationships. NutriQuest nutritionist Jeff Rortvedt, highlights the farm's multiple enterprises and Bob's investments in cow care and the future.This episode is brought to you be NutriQuest.The NutriQuest Dairy Nutrition Team is a group of experienced nutritionists committed to serving dairy producers by partnering with them to develop an un-biased, customized nutrition program that delivers maximum profitability, achieved through a holistic approach, engaging in all aspects that influence nutrition program success.The NutriQuest Dairy Team is committed to serving the dairy industry and delivering their customers' consistent results with a high return. Learn more at nutriquest.com/dairy-nutrition-solutions01:49 Vandoske Farm Story03:06 Kids and Farm Roles04:51 Why Not 10000 Cows05:33 County Line Creamery Idea08:33 Planning the Build Out11:05 Why Ice Cream Wins12:27 Cattle Boarding Begins15:37 Designing the Show Barn18:11 Busy Saturdays and Events21:02 Three Years of Rapid Growth21:30 Heavy Decisions and Faith21:51 Hardest Choices and New Roles24:17 Dairy Upgrades and New Parlor27:43 Raising the Next Generation29:44 Future Plans and Tractor Time35:25 A Nutritionist's Perspective

Today on The Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Dr. Kady Bennett of United Vet Services (part of Heritage Vet Partners) about her unexpected path from an Illinois corn-and-soybean upbringing and an early photography major to large animal dairy practice in Wisconsin's Northwoods.Dr. Bennett explains how starting as a kennel tech, then experiencing large animal work (including castrating bull calves) led her to switch to animal science and pursue vet school, with dairy research helping solidify her focus. She describes her passion for solving problems ... from casting a calf's broken jaw to uncovering protocol issues with lung ultrasound. Dr. Bennett is on a mission to be the best vet she can be, with the help of great mentors, fellow vets and supportive dairy farm clients.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.com01:34 From Photography To Cows04:31 Earning Trust On Farms08:45 Mentors And Backup10:15 Problem Solver Mindset11:22 Broken Jaw Calf Win13:21 Calf Lung Ultrasound Data17:16 Motivation And Relationships18:46 Stepping Up Consulting21:23 Advice For Future Vets23:30 Creativity And Baking

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Manny Salcedo, founder of the Dairy Performance Network (DPN), discusses how modern dairy management has shifted from simply managing cows and people to managing overwhelming volumes of data from multiple on-farm systems. Drawing on his background working on dairies and later founding DPN, he explains their consulting work and its tools, including Ida, an AI-driven application that lets farmers ask questions about KPIs, health events, reproduction, and predictive culling. And find out what Manny believes it will take for today's dairy managers to turn information into action through the power of AI and automation.This episode is brought to you by the Dairy Performance Network (DPN).DPN - Connecting people, cows, and technology. Learn more at Dpnconnect.com & dairystash.com00:00 Data Driven Dairy01:48 What DPN Builds03:20 Too Much Data04:52 Ida AI Assistant06:02 From Dashboards to Actions07:18 Why Manny Built This11:38 Pilot Farms, Real Questions13:20 Voice Commands Automation17:42 Future Integration Wave20:19 Next Gen Manager Skills

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy talks with veterans, Matt Taber, a retired Marine and co-owner of Donley Farms in Shoshone, Idaho, and Kelsey DeBoer, a former U.S. Army Reserve construction engineer and now senior marketing manager at Zoetis, about how military service shapes leadership and perspective.Kelsey explains Zoetis' Patriots Pledge partnership with Folds of Honor, donating a percentage of sales from select products from Memorial Day through Veterans Day to fund scholarships for families of fallen or disabled service members, and also law enforcement and first responders.They both discuss teamwork, accountability and sacrifice as lessons applied to their respective dairy work today, as they also reflect with gratitude on their time in service and the powerful perspective that lives on through the way they lead.Zoetis' Patriots' Pledge program supports Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor is a non-profit organization that provides education scholarships for spouses and children of America's fallen or injured service members and first responders. The Patriots' Pledge program from Zoetis designates a portion of sales from select products between Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. Learn more here:https://www.zoetisus.com/services-and-programs/patriots-pledge/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.⁠03:02 Meet Matt & Kelsey04:13 Matt Journey in the Marines05:48 Deployments and Iwo Jima07:26 Kelsey's Path in the Army Reserve 10:23 Dairy After Service15:20 Military Lessons in Dairy18:40 Accountability at Zoetis21:05 Deployment Perspective Shift23:30 First World vs Third World25:39 Advice to Younger Self28:26 What Service Really Means30:02 Brotherhood and Sacrifice36:37 Lessons to Live By

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Greg Shoemaker, Cargill's Commercial Director for North America Dairy Nutrition, about leading teams that support dairy producers through nutrition strategy, technology, and on-farm partnership across the US and Canada. Shoemaker shares how his path from rural Pennsylvania roots to a career as a US Army Ranger shaped his leadership approach today ensuring dairy farmers' success.Greg details the power of building trust, clarity and acting as a multiplier by removing barriers. He discusses learning from mistakes, investing in culture during normal times to withstand hard times, maintaining composure under stress, and adopting an “infinite game” mindset focused on long-term success in dairy.This episode is brought to you by Cargill Dairy Nutrition.No two dairies are alike, Cargill Dairy doesn't expect them to be. When your dairy faces challenges, you need a partner with an original approach. Cargill has their own world-class research labs, developed their own proprietary nutrition software, and fostered an original team approach… all to deliver profitability on YOUR terms. Partner with a nutrition company as original as you are: cargillanimalnutrition.com/original02:31 Greg's Role at Cargill03:40 What Army Rangers Do05:08 From Military to Cargill07:16 Life in Dairy Consulting08:59 Mission and Values Leadership12:38 Building Culture and Trust15:49 Leading Under Pressure19:18 No Decision Is a Decision21:35 Infinite Game Mindset25:10 Better Questions Better Leadership26:20 Execute Iterate Lesson27:51 Vision for the Team29:11 Rallying Through Tough Times33:49 Morning Routine and Journals35:43 Nonnegotiables and Balance37:11 Hardest Leadership Lesson39:16 Purpose in Dairy Industry40:50 Rapid Fire Leadership Round47:18 Problem Solving and OODA Loop

At Central Plains Dairy Expo, Peggy Coffeen caught up with Ever.Ag risk advisor, Brandon Weigel, a Wisconsin farm-raised entrepreneur who started raising show pigs at 12 and later entered risk management through a 4-H club connection. Weigel explains his role managing grain sell-side risk, dairy feed buying risk, and beef-on-dairy price risk, contrasting grain cashflow-driven sales with year-round dairy feed purchasing. He discusses major industry shifts he has observed in his career thus far, including rapid growth in beef-on-dairy breeding and increased market volatility.Ever.Ag 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://ever.ag/.01:40 Farm Roots and Show Pigs03:44 Entrepreneurship at 1204:08 4-H Connection to Ever.Ag04:53 Job Shadow to Career07:10 Day to Day Risk Advisor08:39 Lessons and Mentors10:51 Grain vs. Feed Strategy11:41 Market Shifts and Volatility14:07 Emotion vs. Fundamentals15:50 2026 Outlook Beef and Feed18:20 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up

On this episode of the UpLevel Dairy Podcast, Pauly Paul with Complete Management Consulting is back today to explain what separates thriving dairies from those in crisis. He says the biggest gap comes down to management, especially leaders who delegate but also work alongside employees rather than staying behind a desk.Pauly identifies three core differentiators: understanding financials and avoiding over-borrowing by reviewing budgets and financials monthly or quarterly; leading by example with consistent schedules, walkthroughs, and daily employee interaction; and getting “in the trenches” to understand tasks and improve efficiency, which can quickly turn farms from red to black when his team takes over management.He adds that profitable farms face hard truths and capitalize on opportunities like improving reproduction, semen handling, shot compliance, and breeding for higher-value “black calves,” which he estimates can add significant annual income.This Episode is Brought to you by Complete Management Consulting About Complete Management Consultingwww.CompleteManagementConsulting.com⁠⁠completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com⁠920-418-313500:00 Why Some Dairies Win00:49 Two Types of Calls02:29 Management Makes the Gap03:01 Hands On Leadership04:26 Three Profit Drivers06:06 Know Your Financials09:05 Lead by Example Daily10:45 Work in the Barn12:18 Turning Farms Around Fast14:15 Black Calf Profit Lever17:46 Staying Ahead Long Term

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is on-site at Brooks Farms with Zoey Brooks, nearly 10 years after Zoey returned to the family dairy, to discuss growing from 200 to about 700 cows and from four employees to a 15-person team. Zoey shares hard-won lessons about stepping into management, overcoming challenges, building a strong team culture and leading from within, while balancing roles as a young mother raising her children on the farm. She shares how her guiding motto - “Do it scared" - drives her to dig deep and dive in to make her dreams reality.She also highlights a business segment and creative outlet with Black & White Aged Cheddar, the premium aged cheese brand she and her sister Syndney launched during COVID by partnering with Union Star Creamery, made exclusively from Brooks Farms' milk. 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/01:38 Back Home at Brooks Farms03:30 Scaling Up Fast04:09 Failure Is Normal05:06 Milk Drop Mystery07:24 Hunting Stray Voltage09:36 Managing Through Chaos11:53 Building Team Culture13:47 From Cow Work to People15:21 Three Hats on Farm16:08 Dairy Mom Office Life17:36 Raising Kids on Farm18:56 Leading by Example19:27 Balancing Farm and Family19:52 Tech That Makes It Work22:04 Remote Sorting in Winter22:47 Launching a Farm Cheese Brand27:52 Black and White Story28:34 Cheddar Focus and First Taste30:05 Advice for New Brands32:37 Growing Distribution Beyond Wisconsin34:45 Next Decade on the Farm36:18 Do It Scared

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Mike Opperman from the National Dairy Shrine headquarters in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, to announce the official 2026 National Dairy Shrine award announcements and explain the committee-based nomination process.Make sure to tune in to hear who the winners in each category are! The winners will be recognized at the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo, with tickets starting July 1, and honored in the Hall of Fame; Opperman also notes upcoming scholarship announcements, a May 13 webinar on internships, and the Sept. 28 banquet date.Learn more and register for events at https://dairyshrine.org/.00:49 Dairy Shrine Origins02:14 How Awards Are Chosen04:16 Emerging Leader Award10:47 Pioneer Award Honorees15:52 Distinguished Breeder Winner18:31 Guest of Honor Spotlight21:37 Banquet and Hall of Fame24:43 Scholarships and Webinar News

Today's conversation on the Uplevel Dairy podcast was captured at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, where Peggy Coffeen interviews dairy risk management advisor and economist, Katie Burgess of Ever.Ag, about making dairy risk management simpler and more accessible. Burgess shares her Wisconsin dairy farm upbringing, ag business education, and path from UW Extension into Ever.Ag, emphasizing that effective risk management doesn't require predicting markets or mastering jargon. She explains the main dairy insurance tools, Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and LGM Dairy, highlighting DRP's daily availability, quarterly coverage, and fit for Class III and IV and high-component milk, versus LGM's Thursday-only availability, Class III focus, and single- or two-month coverage, with a coming USDA change expected to allow using both in the same quarter. They discuss today's volatility, export dependence, strong global supply, opportunities in milk and cattle values, and the farm lesson “make hay when the sun shines.”This episode is brought to you by Ever.AgEver.Ag 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://ever.ag/.00:00 Risk Made Simple02:09 Farm Roots in Wisconsin03:10 Learning Risk Tools04:21 Path to Ever Ag06:36 Keep It Simple Strategy07:42 DRP vs LGM Explained10:25 Market Outlook and Action11:27 Make Hay While the Sun Shines12:35 Seeing the Whole Chain14:41 Future of Dairy

On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. Cole Anderson of United Vet Services (Heritage Vet Partners) in Northeast Wisconsin to talk about his unconventional path into dairy veterinary medicine and the mentors who shaped it along the way.From early hands-on experiences to building long-term client relationships, Dr. Anderson shares his philosophy that great service and strong relationships matter more than being the lowest-cost provider. He also opens up about balancing family life with a demanding career, learning through challenges, and his next goal: helping dairy clients improve performance through deeper use of DairyComp and data-driven insights.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.com01:50 An Unlikely Vet Path03:16 Mentors Open Doors04:39 Ron Herb Relationship08:43 Learning in the Truck13:09 Service First Mindset16:42 Teaching Students to Grow18:55 Hard Lessons and Balance22:10 More Mentors and Core Values23:07 Driven Dairy Clients24:52 Future Vet Service25:27 Fundamentals Over Fixes27:44 Cow First Principle31:04 Family And Mentors35:43 Practice Lessons Learned38:06 Next Generation Growth

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Del Rio Dairy in Friona, Texas, and interviews owner Nathan Moroney about how technology and expansion are reshaping modern dairying. Moroney describes a major expansion from a 3,500-cow double-45 parallel parlor to a 90-stall rotary with automated prep and post robots, sort gates, and collars, delivering significant labor savings and higher milking throughput. He recounts being one of the first herds to experience what became known as "bird flu" before the issue was identified through coordinated efforts with extension. He explains the Saudi-style barn system, manure handling that evolved into a digester started in 2021, water constraints driving efficiency and potential forage shifts, and the potential opportunities for integrating more AI in milking and feed management. Moroney also discusses regional processing growth, his new DFA corporate board role, and the need for workable labor policy reform.This Episode is Brought to you by the Milc GroupMilc 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.02:13 Rotary Expansion Automation04:52 Bird Flu Ground Zero11:34 Saudi Barn Workflow14:09 Digester Renewables Economics15:23 Next Efficiency AI Upgrades19:58 One Feed Program Spotlight20:28 Mobile App Workflow21:04 Water Risk Planning22:01 Reusing Water Efficiently23:01 Alternative Forages Ahead23:41 Texas Dairy Processing Boom24:37 Milk Hauling Distance24:46 Joining the DFA Board26:15 National Dairy Outlook28:55 Marketing and Data Shifts29:57 From City to Dairyman32:19 Traits Built by Dairy35:52 Labor Reform Needs

How are your finances looking for Q2? In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Steve Schweoer of Compeer Financial on what financially strong dairy farms are doing in 2026 amid tight first-half cash flow, lower milk prices, and higher costs of capital. Steve notes many producers prepaid 2026 expenses in 2025, easing near-term pressure, and expects improved markets in the second half while emphasizing preparing during good times by building working capital and paying down lines of credit. He advises maintaining a three-to-five-year capital replacement plan using “needs vs. wants,” evaluating land purchases case by case, and not letting taxes drive decisions. Key profitability levers include beef-on-dairy and managing net herd replacement cost, feed efficiency and ration cost, strong components and herd health, disciplined capital spending, and low employee turnover. He urges producers to know their cost of production, keep a consistent operating model, and bring lenders and advisors a long-term plan including risk management and family goals.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/dairy01:17 Cash Flow Cycles Ahead03:02 Needs vs Wants Capital05:11 Land Buying Decisions06:36 Cost of Capital Squeeze08:17 Beef on Dairy Boost11:07 Feed Efficiency Levers12:48 What Profitable Looks Like15:04 Tech Investments Timing17:36 Lender Talks and Planning19:34 Disciplines for Stability21:50 Know Your Cost Production23:16 Stick to Your Model

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen visits Cooper Legacy Dairy near Clovis, New Mexico, a 2,000-cow operation run by fifth-generation dairyman Jered Cooper that also raises replacements and farms about 2,500 acres. Cooper shares how his family's dairy roots span Michigan, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, and why he now lives about 80–100 miles away in the Lubbock, Texas area while still managing the dairy through internet-connected tools and support from his son on site.He explains adopting Nedap smart tags and sort gates, which proved pivotal during a bird flu outbreak by enabling early health alerts, treatment monitoring, and improved herd outcomes, and now streamline daily workflows for health and reproduction via reports, mobile entry, and cloud syncing. Cooper also discusses passing the business to the sixth generation and writing a book inspired by his father about family, football, faith, and farming.This episode is part of the High-Performance Mindset Series powered by Nedap.Nedap is future-proofing dairy farming with smart technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering, sort gates, and AI-powered camera systems. Nedap is improving life on the farm by putting the right cow in the right place at the right time, every time.01:24 Meet Jered and the Dairy02:06 Five Generation Roots02:42 How Clovis Happened05:29 Living 100 Miles Away08:03 Tech That Makes It Work08:40 Smart Tags and Bird Flu12:32 New Workflow and Sort Gates15:27 Health Score and Cow Insights16:54 Next Gen and AI Future18:25 Redefining the Modern Dairyman20:24 Why It's Called Legacy21:20 Milkman Love Note22:35 Michigan Dairy Traditions23:19 Depression Era Detour23:59 One Cow to 200024:30 Family Farms and Pride26:20 Next Gen Takes Over30:42 Raising Kids on Dairy32:19 Writing the Dairy Book39:43 Legacy and Advice

Jeff King & Tom Mercuro on genetics, longevity, and why ‘milk what you make' is the futureOn this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are joined by Jeff King of Kings Ransom Farm in New York and Tom Mercuro from Mercuro Farms in Maryland—two dairymen who are redefining what real genetic progress looks like. We find out what they are doing to create the kind of cows they want in their barns and why they believe other dairy producers want them too.This isn't about chasing the top of a list… it's about milking what they make - breeding cows that last, perform, and put milk in the tank.Plus, Jeff and Tom provide their hot takes on the April Holstein Sire Summary and recent changes to the TPI formula.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 at United Sires and Instagram @unitedsiresofficial.

This Uplevel Dairy Podcast episode shares the full Farm Forward Conference panel with attorney Will McKinley, dairyman Tommy Oesch, consultant Kristy Pagel, advisor Steve Bodart, and family farm coach Elaine Froese on building multi-generational farm transitions as an ongoing legal, financial, and relational process. They discuss testing next-generation commitment through projects, off-farm work, mentors, peer networks, and family bylaws; clarifying roles for siblings/cousins using tools like StrengthsFinder and DISC; and keeping farms aligned through regular meetings, celebrations, and quarterly financial check-ins. The panel contrasts successful transitions (everything on the table, commitment, compromise) with failures (stubbornness, toxicity, staying stuck), addresses estate tools like TOD deeds, revocable and irrevocable trusts, LLCs/corporations, and managing conflicts, cash flow targets, and the option to exit via sale. Final action steps emphasize alignment between spouses, writing letters, gratitude, grace, listening, and accepting continuous change.02:35 Testing Next Gen Commitment07:13 Best vs Worst Transitions10:21 Preventing Estate Disputes14:06 Future of Midwest Farms17:22 Siblings and Cousins Leadership22:25 Making Transition Ongoing26:23 Meeting Rhythms That Work28:29 The $2.50 Cash Flow Rule29:39 Cash Flow Under Pressure31:27 Trusts Explained Simply33:08 Irrevocable Trust Tradeoffs34:58 Estate Planning Resources36:13 Getting Honest Family Input40:25 Helping Seniors Let Go44:45 When No Successor Exists46:59 Why Ag Transitions Differ52:00 Family Stories About Land

Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceThis Farm Forward Recap episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features attorney Will McKinley, President of Menn Law, discussing the legal side of family farm transition planning. McKinley emphasizes that communication is critical and that lawyers can't prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions; families need to clarify and align their goals before legal documents are drafted. He explains what he hopes clients bring to the table—financial records plus a shared “wish list” vision—and shares a success story involving bringing a non-family herdsman into ownership while keeping spouses, bankers, and accountants aligned.He outlines tools often used (wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, entity structures) and notes tax challenges with lifetime sales, sometimes using an income-stream approach until a later trigger. He warns that the biggest obstacle is delaying the process and failing to commit time for a multi-meeting plan.Contact Will McKinley at Menn Law:William-McKinley@mennlaw.com(920) 731-6631https://mennlaw.com/00:55 Meet Will McKinley01:37 Communication Comes First04:57 What to Bring Your Lawyer07:49 Succession Success Story10:39 Legal Tools and Tax Strategy13:38 Where Plans Get Stuck

Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceAt the Farm Forward Conference, Uplevel Dairy Podcast host Peggy Coffeen interviews Steve Bodart of AgriGrowth Solutions about the financial side of family farm transition. Bodart explains his accrual-based financial consulting approach that connects production decisions to financial outcomes, benchmarks performance, and evaluates what both outgoing and incoming generations need and can afford. He emphasizes financial transparency so everyone hears the same message at the same time, and says succession is a journey requiring room for growth, disciplined debt payments, and honest discussions about cost of production, capital spending, and competitiveness.Steve notes failures often stem from resisting change and poor communication without a facilitator. He advocates involving owners and capable mid-managers and giving younger generations responsibility for financial projects, such as analyzing how a transition barn can improve profitability.AgriGrowth Solutions is a team of financial consultants with strong dairy backgrounds which represent and work for the best interests of dairy producers. The AGS team guides clients through their business' financial position and assists in planning for their continued and future success.Contact Steve Bodart, AgriGrowth Solutions: SteveBodart@agrigrowthsolutions.comVisit: https://agrigrowthsolutions.com/01:10 Meet Steve Bodart01:50 What Steve Does03:21 Financial Transparency05:56 Planning for Growth07:00 Building a Win Win Plan09:42 Who Belongs in Meetings11:20 Why Transitions Fail14:44 Bringing Next Gen In17:23 Real World Project Example

Transition Talks from the Farm Forward ConferenceIn this Farm Forward Recap, Peggy Coffeen hosts a transition talk featuring Kristy Pagel of Leading Edge Consulting, who focuses on facilitating difficult family farm transition conversations, aligning expectations across generations, and helping farms get “unstuck,” often during conflict or crisis. Pagel emphasizes the need to clarify the senior generation's purpose beyond day-to-day farm duties and to support curiosity about what comes next.She also explains an adapted Employee Analyzer tool from Gino Wickman's “Traction” to objectively assess whether owners, family members, and employees have the head, heart, and capacity for their roles, adding a “reinvest” column with plans, communication, timelines, and accountability. Pagel describes using the tool as a two-way self-assessment to open honest dialogue about burnout, fit, and workload.Connect with Kristy:Owner, coach, consultant with Leading Edge Consulting LLCkristy@leadingedgeccd.comLinkedIn: Kristy PagelListen to Kristy's Other Episode on Uplevel Dairy here: https://youtu.be/wJU12xNYyl4?si=h7ypvZKEgUgY3GdL00:55 Meet Kristy Pagel02:21 Why Facilitation Matters03:29 Getting Unstuck Together05:49 Purpose After the Farm08:44 Employee Analyzer Tool11:57 Objective Feedback Not Emotion14:14 Story Using the Tool

At the Farm Forward Conference, Uplevel Dairy Podcast host Peggy Coffeen interviews Tommy Oesch of Swisslane Farms in Michigan about his multi-generational family farm transition from junior partner to senior leader and preparing for the next generation. Tommy describes the farm's origins with his Swiss immigrant great-grandfather, early succession planning begun in 2004–2005, requirements for the next generation to work off-farm, and his and his brother's years in outside careers before returning in 2011 to build a 500-cow robotic dairy. He explains growth through leasing opportunities instead of building, reaching about 5,600 cows across multiple sites, buying out the senior generation, and shifting their income from salary to equity payments to support leadership transition. He highlights hard conversations, including selling real estate to cover debt during Michigan's 2015–2019 processing challenges, the need for intra-generation alignment through weekly meetings, and wishing they had brought in professional help earlier.Make sure to tune in all week as we drop recap episodes from the conference right here on the podcast!02:02 Meet Tommy Oesch02:49 Swisslane Origin Story05:06 Off Farm Lessons06:36 Back to Dairy Growth07:40 Leadership Buyout Shift12:13 Hard Times Real Estate15:05 Generational Negotiations18:21 Aligning Weekly Meetings18:54 What We'd Change

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Stephanie Hansen of Iowa State University at Adisseo's VIP seminar about why beef-on-dairy calves often fail to thrive in the feedlot. Hansen, a feedlot “mineral nerd,” explains how high liver copper—seen in necropsy results at 800–900 ppm—can originate from late-gestation cow diets and be compounded in dairy systems by copper-fortified milk replacer and starter feed while calves are still functionally monogastric, leading to greater absorption. Research funded by the Iowa Beef Checkoff found high liver copper did not affect vaccine response but did worsen outcomes in a respiratory disease challenge, increasing fever, clinical signs, and lung consolidation, alongside systemic inflammation and potentially compromised liver health. Action steps include moderating copper in late-gestation and calf starter diets, avoiding feedlot copper over-fortification, reassessing frequent vaccination protocols, and considering zinc's anti-inflammatory benefits. Hansen also notes she writes national-park crime thrillers under the pen name SL Hansen, with a new book due April 2026.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 Why Calves Struggle00:45 Sponsor Message01:30 Meet Mineral Nerd03:21 Feedlot Mystery Copper04:46 Beef Copper Fortification07:25 Dairy System One Two Punch09:26 Toxicity Signs Inflammation12:34 Respiratory Challenge Study15:25 Other Thrive Factors17:29 Producer Action Steps21:15 Zinc Balancing Idea22:04 Author Side Quest23:56 Wrap Up Takeaways