Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

253 | Empowering Leaders and Communities Through Dairy with Jordan Leak Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Jordan Leak, Vice President at High Plains Ponderosa in Kansas. Jordan shares his journey from growing up in Idaho as a fourth-generation dairyman to discovering his greater purpose of developing people. He discusses his defining moments, the importance of humility and gratitude in leadership, and his efforts to build an inclusive and opportunity-rich workplace culture. Additionally, Jordan highlights how the dairy's mission of creating infinite business opportunities extends beyond profits to positively impact employees and the community.

Sponsored by Micro Technologies, this episode delves into leadership, growth, and the values that drive the dairy industry.

Micro Technologies innovates advanced, comprehensive & integrated technologies to help dairies produce a safe, wholesome product more efficiently and profitably.

For more information, visit:Microtechnologies.com

00:00 Introduction to Jordan Leak's Journey

01:07 Early Life and Family Background

02:54 First Steps in the Dairy Business

04:53 Realizing a New Passion

06:43 Transition to Management

08:30 Joining High Plains Ponderosa

12:49 Leadership Philosophy and Development

29:15 Personal Growth and Reflections

33:04 Books That Shaped Jordan's Leadership

38:12 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

41:07 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

This episode is sponsored by Micro Technologies

252 | Capitalizing on Cashflow Opportunities Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, hosted by Peggy Coffeen, financial expert Steve Schwoerer from Compeer Financial shares nearly four decades of lending experience to provide insights on maximizing returns from beef on dairy cattle and strategic long-term herd planning. Discussions include short-term strategies to take advantage of high beef prices, the long-term outlook for dairy operations, and key considerations such as labor, facilities, and manure management.

The conversation also broaches risk management and the potential for leveraging lower commodity prices. Steve offers practical advice for both immediate income opportunities and sustainable operational growth in the dairy industry.

251 | Faith, Leadership, and Innovation with Manuel Soares, CEO of Milc Group Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy continues the conversation with Manuel Soares, CEO of Milc Group, diving into the mindset and mission driving one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the dairy industry. Manuel discusses the importance of creating a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation, and reveals his three key virtues for team building: character, passion, and faith. The episode also explores Milc Group's pioneering dairy software, which integrates real-time actionable data to enhance dairy farm operations globally. Manuel shares lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizes the importance of hiring and empowering good people, and describes Milc Group's approach to continuously innovating and adapting to meet the needs of the dairy industry.

00:00 Introduction to Future-Proofing Dairy Business

00:52 Sponsorship and Company Overview

01:25 Leadership Principles and Hiring Philosophy

03:06 Faith and Personal Beliefs in Business

03:54 Early Team and Company Evolution

06:07 Innovation and Product Development

15:05 Challenges and Lessons Learned

20:32 Empowering Teams and Leadership Advice

26:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

250 | Only 3% of Family Farms Make it to the 4th Generation. Will Yours Be One? Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this power-packed episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen dives into the challenges and strategies behind successfully transitioning family farms through multiple generations. With only 3% making it from the third to the fourth generation, guests Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus from Virginia Tech, and Lynn Paulson, Vice President of Agribusiness Development at Bell Bank, share actionable insights to beat the odds.

From the 2025 Ag Views Live event, they discuss the critical role of understanding financials, balance sheets, working capital, and asset valuation, alongside the importance of a business management mindset. Discover why involving the next generation in decision-making, setting deliberate goals, and having a trusted advisory team are essential for long-term profitability.

You’ll also hear lessons from history, including the economic challenges of the 1980s, and practical tips for managing family living expenses. Whether you’re planning a farm transition or aiming to strengthen your operation’s financial foundation, this episode offers the tools to secure both your legacy and your bottom line.

This Episode is brought to you by Adisseo
This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/

249 | Generations of Excellence with Ashley Swenson, DVM Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Genetics, Reproductive Technology and Family Farm Transition

At the 2025 National Holstein Convention, we caught up with 6th-generation Minnesota dairy farmer and veterinarian Dr. Ashley Swenson.

As a vet specializing in embryo transfer, Ashley owns Midwest Embryo Transfer Service and also has a seat on the Holstein Association’s International Marketing Committee.

This conversation includes her tips for making genetic investment decisions, and we go beyond repro technology to talk about a topic near and dear to her heart: family farm transition and what it took for Ashley and her husband to make her home farm an opportunity for the seventh generation.

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.⁠

248 | Showbox Stories Rerun with Tim Abbott, featuring Tom Morris and Ernie Kueffner Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

As excitement builds for this year’s World Dairy Expo, we're bringing back a crowd favorite recorded live at the Showbox Sires showbox during last year’s event.

In this episode, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott sit down with industry icons Tom Morris and Ernie Kueffner. Together, they revisit the early days of Expo, reminisce about unforgettable cows, and unlock stories that have lived inside their showboxes for decades.

Whether you're a longtime show ring veteran or gearing up for your first trip to Madison, this episode captures the history, heart, and humor that make World Dairy Expo so special.

Make sure to check out Part 2 with Jim Ostrom, John Vosters, and Steve Briggs for even more Expo storytelling.

To nominate the dairy story you’d like us to share, you can contact Peggy at peggy@upleveldairy.com, 608-558-1876 or Tim at tim@timabbottcows.com, (802) 238-1142.

247 | Showbox Stories Rerun with Tim Abbott, featuring Jim Ostrom, John Vosters, and Steve Briggs Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

As we gear up for this year’s World Dairy Expo, we’re resharing one of our favorite conversations recorded live from last year’s event at the Showbox Sires showbox. This episode is full of legacy, leadership, and lessons from some of the most respected voices in the dairy cattle show world.

Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott sit down with Jim Ostrom and John Vosters of Milk Source to talk show ring memories and the evolution of their multi-site dairy, dairy goat, and cheese enterprise. Then, Steve Briggs of Brigeen Farms shares his heart for mentorship and how the next generation continues to inspire him.

If you missed it the first time—or just want to relive the moment—now’s the perfect time to listen in. And don’t forget to catch our other rerun next week with Tom Morris and Ernie Kueffner for more behind-the-scenes stories from the show.

To nominate the dairy story you’d like us to share, you can contact Peggy at peggy@upleveldairy.com, 608-558-1876 or Tim at tim@timabbottcows.com, (802) 238-1142.

Thanks to Tim Abbott and Showbox Sires for this collaboration.

Learn more about Showbox Sires here:

https://www.showboxsires.com/

246 | Nominate a Dairy Great to Share their Showbox Story Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen welcomes back Tim Abbott for an insightful conversation about their upcoming plans for the World Dairy Expo 2025. The duo revisits Tim's commitment to his word of the year, 'focus', discussing personal and professional growth.

They also reflect on the value of capturing and sharing legacy stories within the dairy industry. Listeners are encouraged to nominate outstanding dairy figures for the Showbox stories series, highlighting how these narratives foster connections and preserve the industry's rich heritage. This episode underscores the significance of stewardship, legacy, and community in advancing the dairy industry.

To nominate the dairy story you’d like us to share, you can contact Peggy at peggy@upleveldairy.com, 608-558-1876 or Tim at tim@timabbottcows.com, (802) 238-1142.

00:00 Introduction and Special Announcement

00:29 Mid-Year Check-In: Focus and Stewardship

02:16 The Importance of Focus in Dairy Farming

05:08 Showbox Stories: A Look Back and Forward

06:52 Call for Nominations: Share Your Showbox Stories

09:46 Legacy and Mentorship in Dairy

16:02 Personal Showbox Stories and Reflections

19:11 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

245 | July Monthly Market Update with Curtis Bosma Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Curtis Bosma from High Ground Dairy as he provides a comprehensive update on the current state of the dairy markets amid trade tensions and significant crop developments.

Curtis discusses the steady dairy markets, the slight decrease in cheese prices, and the robust butter market. He also delves into the dynamics of non-fat dry milk and whey markets, along with the impacts of an excellent US corn crop and record soybean meal production.

Additionally, Curtis offers insights into strategic risk management approaches, including the use of futures, options, and Livestock Risk Protection programs. The episode emphasizes the importance of holistic financial strategies to ensure long-term profitability for dairy producers.

Grab your market report here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-july-2025

This episode is brought to you by: HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain.

Information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell commodities.

Opinions expressed are current opinions as of July 16 at 12 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

244 | Dealing Blackjack and the Future of Dairy Farm Data with Manuel Soares, CEO of Milc Group Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

THE MILC GROUP ORIGINS STORY

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Manuel Soares, CEO and founder of Milc Group.

Manuel shares his journey from growing up on a family dairy farm to creating game-changing dairy technology. The discussion delves into his early experiences in the dairy industry, a brief stint dealing blackjack, and the significant milestones that led him to create Milc Group. Manuel explains how his hands-on farm experience and technological insights helped him identify key industry problems and develop innovative solutions.

This conversation also explores the origins and future vision of Milc Group, emphasizing the importance of real-time data for making informed decisions in dairy farming.

00:00 Introduction to Manuel Soares' Journey

01:18 Early Life and Dairy Beginnings

03:53 A Detour in Tahoe

05:11 Lessons from Blackjack Dealing

07:16 Challenges in Dairy Management

15:04 Transition to Dairy Software

25:00 Founding Milc Group

29:35 Conclusion and Future Insights

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 the tools they need to succeed.

ONETM Feed: https://www.milcgroup.com/product/feed
ONETM Scale: https://www.milcgroup.com/product/scale

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected