Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

243 | New Risk Management Tools for Dairy Producers Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

What You Need to Know about Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)

Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy joins us to cover the commonly asked questions he hears from dairy producers regarding new risk management programs aimed at day-old beef-on-dairy calves and dairy cull cows.

About HighGround Dairy

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

Get the new LRP Guide here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/lrp-guide

Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at info@highgrounddairy.com

242 |From the Heart: Celebrating 15 Years of Dairy Cares with Jim Ostrom Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Jim Ostrom, CEO of Milk Source, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin. Jim shares the origin and growth of Dairy Cares, a charitable initiative that started as a garden party among friends and is on pace to raise a cumulative total of more than $4 million for Children's Wisconsin.

The candid discussion with Jim reveals the heart behind Dairy Cares, highlighting families and their stories, as well as honoring the legacy of generosity set forth by the late Annette Ostrom. The episode underscores the importance of community, visionary leadership, and generosity.

Jim also calls on listeners to support Dairy Cares through donations, participation in a virtual auction, or attending the annual garden party.

Contribute to Dairy Cares of Wisconsin

Three ways to give back and support families in their greatest times of medical need:

Corporate or individual donation
Virtual auction
Attend the annual Garden Party on July 27

Find details and donate here: www.dairycaresofwisconsin.org

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/

241 | In Memory of Katie Coyne: A Legacy of Hope and Purpose Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

At the end of 2024, I sat down with Katie Coyne to catch up and reflect on how her year had gone and to see what she had hoped to bring in for 2025. Today, we share this re-release in remembrance of Katie’s life, her incredible impact, and the legacy she leaves behind.

In this episode, Katie opened up about her roots in the dairy industry and her passion for mentoring the next generation. She believed deeply in paying it forward, and her words and actions reflected that commitment every day.

Katie also courageously shared her personal journey with cancer, including the prognosis she received in late 2024. Despite the challenges, she continued to live with remarkable hope and unwavering purpose—anchored by one guiding word she chose to live by in 2025.

This conversation is a tribute to a life well-lived and a reminder of the strength, generosity, and spirit Katie embodied. Her voice and vision will continue to inspire all who listen.

240 | Reflecting on a Life Filled with Courage and Confidence: The Legacy of Katie Coyne Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever stopped to think about the people who didn’t have to help you—but did anyway? The ones who showed up with encouragement, opened doors for you, and believed in you long before you believed in yourself?

Katie Coyne was one of those people—for me, and for so many others in the dairy community.

In this special episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are joined by Katie’s daughter, Kelly Reynolds, to reflect on Katie’s life and legacy, followed by the conversation Katie and I had one year ago, called “Leading with Courage and Confidence.”

Katie was a steadfast mentor, a voice for youth in agriculture, and a woman who gave freely of her time, wisdom, and spirit.

This episode was recorded during the final chapter of Katie’s journey here on earth. I knew it was time to sit down with her—not just to thank her, but to honor her story. To let her share in her own words the values she stood for, the lessons she learned, and why pouring into others always mattered most.

Katie’s impact will live on in every life she touched.This episode is a celebration of that legacy.

And tune into our next episode to hear the last conversation we had with Katie on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

239 | Navigating Risk and Opportunity in Dairy Farming with Preston Fernandes Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Preston Fernandes shares his extraordinary journey from California's Central Valley to managing multiple distressed dairies. Rooted in his family's legacy, Preston's story highlights his innovative lean management style, risk-taking appetite, and the tough lessons learned about leadership and growth.

Listeners will gain insights into scaling a dairy business sustainably in today’s competitive industry and marvel at Preston's bold vision for the future, including the potential use of bipedal robots.

Sponsored by AHV, this episode offers valuable lessons in resilience, strategic thinking, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity.

This Episode is Brought to you by AHV

AHV (Animal Health Vision) helps empower their customers as entrepreneurs that embrace innovations in animal health. As a knowledge center, they are a leader in the field of quorum sensing innovations and advisory services for optimal animal health, with programs that focus on improving key areas such as udder health, uterine health, reproduction, and more. AHV celebrates the health and success of the dairy cow and is also proud to honor and celebrate dairy farm moms who are making a difference, today and every day.

Find more information at: ⁠https://ahvint.com/⁠

238 | Exploring a Cross-Country Career in Dairy with Gabe Smith Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Gabe Smith, a Zoetis territory business manager with a unique career path in the dairy industry. Gabe shares his journey from managing a small dairy herd, working with top genetic herds, to his role at Zoetis.

He discusses the significance of saying yes to new opportunities, the importance of taking care of people and animals, and the valuable lessons learned from mentors in the dairy community. Gabe also reflects on personal challenges and successes, emphasizing the importance of trust, perseverance, and listening in professional growth. The episode underscores Gabe's commitment to the dairy industry and his continuous development as a leader.

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.⁠

237 | Serving up Butter and Cheese, with a Side of LRP and FMMO Changes Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

In this June 2025 market update from High Ground Dairy, Curtis Bosma reviews significant movements in the dairy industry, including milk, feed, and cattle markets:

The dairy segment sees strong cheese and butter production with rising domestic demand and favorable export conditions.

Economic fluctuations and Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) changes impact producer payments.

The feed market focuses on corn and soybean meal dynamics, highlighting crop conditions and biofuel policy impacts.

Record-high feeder cattle prices are driving dairymen to emphasize revenue management strategies, including the new Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) for dairies.

236 | Balancing Technology and Tradition with Adam Westenbroek, Westwind Farms Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Adam Westenbroek of Westwind Farms in Bakersfield, California. Adam shares how cutting-edge technology is empowering him to be both the dairyman and the dad he wants to be.

He emphasizes the importance of implementing technological advancements, such as activity monitoring and sort gates, to improve cow comfort and efficiency, which in turn has allowed him to spend more time with his family. Adam also talks about the personal and professional growth he's experienced and his ongoing commitment to constantly improve his dairy operations. This episode highlights the intersection of traditional hard work with modern innovations to achieve sustainable and successful dairy farming.

The High-Performance Mindset Series is powered by Nedap. Nedap is future-proofing dairy farms by revolutionizing cow-side care through technologies in activity monitoring, cow locating, milk metering and identification. Listen for more episodes in this series throughout 2025

00:00 Introduction to Adam Westenbroek and Westwind Farms

01:03 Adam's Journey into Dairy Farming

03:21 Challenges and Innovations in Dairy Farming

08:48 Family Life and Work Balance

13:32 Embracing Technology for Better Dairy Management

16:38 Letting Go of the Old Ways

17:06 Embracing Technology in Dairy Farming

17:40 Impact of Technology on Daily Operations

18:38 Improving Cow Handling and Health

20:26 Reproductive Goals and Challenges

21:36 Breeding Program Strategies

22:40 Future Plans for Dairy Optimization

24:18 Personal Growth and Leadership

25:28 Uplevel 5: Getting to Know Adam

29:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections

About Nedap

235 | Beyond Dairy Nutrition: Growth, Gratitude, and Giving Back with Doug DeGroff Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Doug DeGroff, a seasoned dairy professional who brings the rare perspective of having lived and worked in three of the most prominent dairy regions in the U.S.—New York, Wisconsin, and California. Doug shares his expansive career in the dairy industry, from milking cows on one of New York's most progressive dairies, managing a dairy in Wisconsin, to settling in California's Central Valley.

Now with Progressive Dairy Solutions, Doug recounts his growth in the industry, his role as a mentor, and the resilience it took to overcome life-threatening accidents, including being buried under 20 tons of silage.

Doug also discusses the evolution of large-scale dairies, advancements in genetics and technology, and the importance of family and gratitude. This episode highlights Doug's journey through grit, growth, and a drive to improve both the dairy industry and his personal life.

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

00:00 Introduction to Doug DeGroff's Dairy Journey

02:06 Early Life and Career Beginnings

03:37 Transition to California

05:25 Experiences in Dairy Management

13:38 Nutrition Consultancy and Feeder Training

19:05 Silage Avalanche Survivor

22:03 The Significance of Back Braces

23:42 Impact of the First Injury

24:57 The Second Injury and Recovery

27:24 Lessons from Adversity

30:49 Technological Advancements in Dairying

35:13 Future of the Dairy Industry

40:50 Personal Reflections and Career Motivation

42:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

234 | Revisiting the 7,000 Cows in Seven Years Vision with Tommy Oesch Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Uplevel Dairy's #1 Most Downloaded Episode!

Over five years ago, dairy farmer Tom Oesch and his partners at Swiss Lane Farms in Michigan defined their vision: To grow to 7,000 cows in seven years. Find out how they are putting that vision into action, transitioning the business from one generation to the next, and growing leaders within their team. And walk away with a renewed motivation from Tom to live life to its fullest NOW.

What you’ll learn:

The decision to double down on dairying and expand to multiple sites
Determining core values and using them to make decisions
Transitioning the business from third to fourth generation
Living his golden years now
Growing leaders from within

Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UplevelDairy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to read the blog and join the Uplevel Dairy email list to receive new podcasts, blogs, and offers from Uplevel Dairy in your inbox.To listen to more episodes, head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to rate and review!

Connect with Peggy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠peggy@upleveldairy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Uplevel Dairy on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

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