Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

233 | Jon-De Farms: A New Spin on Legacy and Leadership Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen speaks with Mikayla McGee of Jon-De Farms in Baldwin, Wisconsin. With dairy farming roots at Jon-De dating back to 1912, Mikayla shares her journey of returning to her family farm, challenging traditions, and making bold decisions to optimize operations. From right-sizing their dairy herd and adopting a rotary parlor to navigating human resources and maintaining the legacy, Mikayla discusses the blend of innovation and tradition that drives the farm today.

This Episode is Brought to you by Compeer Financial.

Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers’ financial goals and lending needs.
For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts.

Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts

00:00 Introduction to Bold Decisions at Jon-De Farms
01:15 Mikayla McGee's Return and Leadership Challenges
01:49 Historical Insights and Family Legacy
03:57 Transitioning and Finding Her Place
08:44 Innovative Changes and Right-Sizing the Dairy
14:40 Implementing the Rotary Parlor
16:57 Employee Well-being and Work Schedule Adjustments
18:29 Technology and Innovations in Dairy Farming
20:22 Right-Sizing Philosophy and Financial Decisions
22:45 Human Resource Management and Employee Relations
27:30 Future Plans and Personal Reflections
28:47 Rapid-Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

232 | Beyond the Dairy: Building Leadership at Oakridge Dairy with David Moser Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is joined by David Moser, Operations Manager of Oakridge Dairy. David recently attended the 2025 Entre-Leadership Summit in Denver, Colorado, featuring renowned leadership experts such as John Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, and Jim Collins. He shares highlights from the summit, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, leadership, and effective team management through tools like Working Genius. Additionally, David discusses how leadership principles are applied at Oakridge Dairy, from community involvement to internal team development. The episode underscores the significance of leadership in driving both personal and organizational success.

Learn more about the Entre-Leadership Summit here: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/summit

00:00 Introduction to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast

01:51 Meet David Moser: Operations Manager at Oak Ridge Dairy

02:27 Overview of Oak Ridge Dairy

04:22 Leadership and Personal Growth Insights from Entree Leadership Summit

06:52 Key Takeaways from Top Leadership Speakers

10:29 Implementing Leadership Lessons at Oak Ridge Dairy

13:34 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Working Genius

21:03 Empathy and Culture in Leadership

30:02 Balancing Personal and Professional Growth

38:56 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

231 | Sustainability and the Future of Dairy Farming May 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy podcast, I am joined for part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Don Niles, a veterinarian turned dairyman, to talk more about his significant contributions to dairy farming and sustainability in Northeast Wisconsin.

Dr. Niles shares his passionate journey from city life to dairy farming, emphasizing the importance of innovative practices, cow comfort, and environmental sustainability, with particular focus on how Peninsula Pride Farms—a farmer-led watershed initiative—reinvented local dairy farming by fostering a cooperative and environmentally responsible community.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Niles provides valuable insights on

The future of dairy farming
Addressing key challenges such as attracting the next generation of dairy farmers
Maintaining high-quality practices amidst environmental scrutiny.

He underscores the necessity of being open to change, fostering community relations, and trusting in new methods and technologies to sustain the dairy industry’s growth and excellence. As he transitions into retirement, Dr. Niles reflects on the impact of his career and the ongoing journey of innovation and improvement in dairy farming.

Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA

230 | From Veterinarian to Dairyman: Making ‘Dairy Dreams’ Come True with Dr. Don Niles May 27, 2025

Show notes

Enjoy this listener favorite rerun on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

Join me on this episode of the Uplevel Dairy podcast as I sit down with the groundbreaking Dr. Don Niles. From his humble beginnings as a veterinarian in Wisconsin to transforming the dairy world, Dr. Niles shares his incredible journey.

This episode delves into the experiences that shaped his career, his partnership with visionary dairyman John Pagel, and the innovative practices they implemented at Dairy Dreams that set new standards in cow comfort and dairy management.

In this episode, Dr. Niles discusses

the evolution of dairy farming practices with everything from the introduction of advanced barn designs to the adoption of sand bedding for enhanced cow comfort.
The strategic decisions that paved the way for modern dairy operations.
And shares personal anecdotes from his travels and collaborations with other dairymen from around the country.

The episode also touches on the legacy of John Pagel and the impact of their joint efforts on the dairy industry. Don’t miss this insightful conversation that offers a deep dive into the technological advancements and high-performance mindsets driving the future of dairying.

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 2024 or catch past episodes in this series below!

Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA

Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

229 | Plum Creek Dairy: A Journey of Growth and Transition May 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy visits Plum Creek Dairy in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, to speak with owners Abe and Mandy, and consultant Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting. The episode delves into the history of Plum Creek Dairy, from its origins in custom harvesting and manure handling to its transformation into a thriving dairy farm. Featuring insights on efficiency improvements, a major transition in herd management, and the benefits of cross-training employees, the episode showcases how Abe and Mandy, with Pauly's guidance, successfully expanded their operations and enhanced staff morale.

Listeners will learn about the challenges and triumphs of running an innovative dairy farm, the importance of teamwork, and the value of being open to change and continuous learning.

00:00 Introduction to Plum Creek Dairy
00:40 Abe and Mandy's Journey into Dairy Farming
01:52 Challenges and Transition at Plum Creek Dairy
06:39 Reorganizing and Empowering the Team
13:35 Expanding Operations and Future Plans
21:38 Advice for Aspiring Dairy Farmers
25:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This Episode is Sponsored by Complete Management Consulting

Contact Pauly Paul

www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com
completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com
920-418-3135

228 | New Risk Management Options for Dairy Farms May 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen welcomes Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy for the May market update. The discussion covers significant changes in Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) programs, including updated rules and new protections for beef cross calves and cull cows. Curtis provides insights into trends in milk production, the cheese market, butter market, and milk powder exports.

Additionally, they cover key points about the current state of commodity markets, particularly in corn and soybeans, offering strategic advice for dairy producers on margin management.

Grab your May Monthly Market Update here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-may-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 May 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

227 | Norm-E-Lane Farms: The Next Generation of Growth, Leadership and Legacy May 15, 2025

Show notes

Recognized as one of the most progressive dairy farms in Wisconsin since the mid 1960s, Norm-E-Lane Farms in Chili, Wisconsin, has a long history of not only leading in the business of dairy farming, but also of leading an entire industry forward. From engaging with the community to advocating for policy, the value of relationships is one that the late Jerry Meissner passed on to his children and grandchildren.

And today we are sitting down with the third and fourth generation of the Meissner family - Josh Meissner and his son Emmett Meissner - to learn about the legacy and resilience that drives the next generation of leadership and growth at Norm-E-Lane.

About Nedap

This episode 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 from Nedap below!

226 | Managing Success: Jerod Henrickson’s Tips on Growth and Leadership May 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Jerod Henrickson, a dedicated dairyman from Bella Holsteins in Platteville, Colorado, shares his journey from growing up on his family's dairy farm to taking on a leadership role. After his father’s motorcycle accident in 2005, Jerod was thrust into managing the expanding operation, a challenge that taught him invaluable lessons in resilience and decision-making.

Throughout the discussion, Jerod highlights the technological advancements that have revolutionized dairy farming, such as monitoring collars and data integration systems, enhancing efficiency and animal welfare. He also emphasizes the importance of consistent leadership, motivating employees, and maintaining a passion for hard work.

As Jerod looks toward the future, he remains focused on growth opportunities and navigating industry challenges, all while upholding the values of dedication, innovation, and care for both his team and his cows.

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

Chapters

00:00 A Sudden Responsibility

00:31 Expanding the Dairy
01:22 Growing Up in the Dairy Business
04:30 Innovations and Technological Advancements
14:32 Challenges and Decisions
21:29 Managing People and Building a Team
25:14 Team Approach to Management
25:34 Effective Team Meetings
26:31 Motivating Employees
27:52 Lessons in People Management
31:28 Influence of Family
32:52 Current Role and Responsibilities
35:30 Challenges and Opportunities
40:55 Podcast Wrap-Up Questions
48:40 Final Thoughts and Advice

225 Part 2 | Dairy Moms Making a Difference with Nicole Barlass, Katie Grinstead, and Katy Katzman May 09, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt second part of the Special Mother's Day edition of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy sits down with three inspiring dairy farm moms—Nicole Barlass, Katie Grinstead, and Katy Katzman. They dive deep into the health impacts of their dual roles in managing family and farm, addressing topics such as farm mom guilt, emotional boundaries, and the importance of self-care. These women share personal anecdotes highlighting their struggles and triumphs, emphasizing the necessity of support and balance. This episode also celebrates the mental and physical resilience required in their profession, underlining the significant roles they play in their families and communities. Sponsored by AHV Animal Health Visions, this episode is a powerful reminder of the strength and dedication of dairy farm moms.

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/⁠

225 Part 1 | Dairy Moms Making a Difference with Nicole Barlass, Katie Grinstead, and Katy Katzman May 08, 2025

Show notes

In this special Mother's Day edition of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, hosted in partnership with Animal Health Visions (AHV), we honor the influential women who balance motherhood, farming, and agricultural advocacy. Peggy interviews three inspiring dairy farm moms—Nicole Barlas, Katie Grinstead, and Katy Katzman—who share their journeys, challenges, and the passion that drives them. Each mom reflects on their path back to the family farm, their involvement in volunteering and community projects, and the balancing act of managing both family and farm responsibilities. They discuss the importance of support systems, communication, and the powerful lessons they impart to their children about resilience and commitment to agriculture.

Make sure to come back for Part 2 tomorrow!

This episode is brought to you by AHV

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

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
01:22 Meet the Dairy Farm Moms
02:48 Nicole Barlas: From FFA to Family Farm
04:08 Katie Grinstead: A Lifelong Passion for Dairy
05:10 Katy Katzman: Balancing Family and Farm
06:31 Paths Back to the Family Farm
09:31 Challenges and Rewards of Dairy Farming
15:47 Advocacy and Community Involvement
20:39 Charity Ball and Community Impact
21:37 Balancing Passion and Personal Life
22:26 Blending Family and Farm Life
24:24 Teaching Kids Through Involvement
26:45 Challenges of Letting Go and Asking for Help
30:11 Navigating Family Dynamics on the Farm
37:55 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

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