Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

184 | Young Leaders: Kiley Pagel and Emily McGowty Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast's Young Leader Series, co-host Kiley Pagel leads a conversation with Emily McGowty from 2020 Consulting. Emily transitioned from an equine background to the dairy industry, where she focuses on financial consulting and building trust with dairy farm clients.

The conversatio covers Emily's journey, the importance of trust and flexibility in her role in the finance sector, and the mentorship and support she has received along the way.

You will also hear about the challenges Emily faced and the strategies she used to overcome them, helping her become a trusted advisor in the dairy industry.

Make sure to share this episode with a Young Dairy Leader you know!

This episode is sponsored by Quali T | Branding Solutions.Learn more about how Quali T | Branding Solutions. provides branding solutions, work wear, reflective gear and other customized merchandise for farms and agribusinesses: https://qualitinc.espwebsite.com/

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183 | Markets, Margins & Macro Economics: December Monthly Market Update Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy podcast, Peggy Coffeen is back for a monthly market update with Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy.

This month they discuss the current state of dairy markets, including price volatility and the impacts of political headlines such as the bird flu on milk production in states like California versus expansion in others.

Curtis highlights butter and cheese markets' dynamics, touching on trends in butterfat production and export opportunities for cheese due to price adjustments. The conversation also covers economic challenges like consumer credit card debt impacting consumer spending and food service traffic, and policy discussions surrounding the Farm Bill and programs such as cooperatives working together (CWT) and USDA purchasing assistance.

The episode dives into the importance of managing margins and choosing the right advisors for dairy producers while reflecting on market intelligence insights and the critical role of merchandisers in the supply chain.

Snag your own December Market Update here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-december-2024.

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 December 18, 2024 at 12 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

182 | Leading a 3rd-Generation Family Business Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Ted Jacoby III, CEO of TC Jacoby Inc., is back to talk about what he has learned over the past 35 years as the third-generation at the helm of his family’s St. Louis-based dairy marketing business.

In this episode, Ted shares his experiences as a leader of the family dairy business, including:

Succession
Culture
Leadership

Communication

Hear more from Ted Jacoby on Ep. 182:

https://pod.link/1687111792/episode/8033bc3f933b282b83e7961d4c11eefb

181 | Dairy Marketing Milestones with Ted Jacoby III Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

Today we venture into the middle ground of what happens to milk when it leaves your dairy and before it lands on a restaurant table or store shelf.

And who better to share these insights than the third-generation leader of St. Louis-based dairy marketing company T.C. Jacoby, Ted Jacoby, III.

Ted discusses the significant milestones in dairy marketing over his 35 years in the business, from the advent of refrigerated bulk tanks post-WWII to the skyrocketing international demand for U.S. dairy products. Discover the biggest opportunities and challenges facing dairy farmers today, the pivotal role of risk management, and how the industry is adapting to changes in sustainability and labor markets.

180 | Transforming Dairy Farming with Cutting-Edge Genetics at McCarty Family Farms Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

One thing I love about the dairy industry is that we are always looking for ways to improve on what we are already doing…

And the McCartys are no different.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are heading back to McCarty Family Farms to explore the significant role of genetic advancements in their dairy operations.

Ken McCarty shares insights on how the partnership with Zoetis and the use of genetic evaluations from Zoetis Clarifide Plus have helped the farm enhance productivity, sustainability, and genetic progress.

The discussion covers the farm's focus on traits like feed efficiency, reproductive efficiency, and health while addressing parentage accuracy and the long-term importance of sustainability in dairy farming.

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 and Clarifideplus.com.
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179 | Navigating Family Farm Transition Planning with Will McKinley, Menn Law Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Why do family farm transition plans stall before they are completed?

Today, we uncover two root reasons that hold families back from taking the next step with attorney Will McKinley, president of Menn Law in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Will, who grew up on the farm fields of Illinois, has been spending his time in the field with well-known agriculture attorney George Twohig since the principal office of Twohig Rietbrock Schneider Halbach S.C. affiliated with Menn Law last year.

Today, Will shares stories and expertise on navigating the early stages of transition planning and how to keep the process moving forward.

Contact Will McKinley at Menn Law:

William-McKinley@mennlaw.com

(920) 731-6631

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.com

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178 | Scaling the Vision: 10,000 Cows by 2032 Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Tommy Oesch from Swiss Lane Farms in Michigan is back with us today, and we are going to hear about a transition he has personally made in the past 6 months. The transition from operations manager to full-time visionary for Swiss Lane Farms.

And find out how that original vision has scaled from 7,000 cows to a 10,000 cow business model by 2032, and how Swiss Lane plans to get there.

Listen to past episodes with Tommy Oesch here:

Ep 101 | ⁠https://pod.link/1687111792/episode/b690cf3193efb046a08fa5e3b44dc175⁠
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/

Make sure to 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!

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

177 | How to Pass on a 7-Generation Dairy Farm: Part 3 - Navigating Family Dynamics Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation.

Part 3: This discussion includes:

Detailed Operating and Buy-Sell Agreements
Addressing Housing Policies
Compensation and Roles in Family Farms
Involving Spouses and Significant Others
Bringing in Non-Family Members

Meet the Panelists:

· Dennis, Jeni & Alan Oechscner, Oechsner Farms: This seventh-generation dairy farm is currently navigating a 10-year ownership transition plan. The Oechsners will share their firsthand experience managing multi-generational dynamics while embracing modern technologies.

· Jared Holt, President & CEO, Ascent Financial: Jared brings deep financial expertise to the discussion, offering insights on estate planning, debt management and financial strategies for long-term success.

· Steve Schwoerer, VP of Dairy Lending, Compeer Financial: With over 31 years in dairy lending, Steve will share his knowledge on financial planning for transitions and how Compeer supports dairy clients through the process.

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.

For more information, contact:

Compeer Dairy Industry Experts
Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts
Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series

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

176 | How to Pass on a 7-Generation Dairy Farm: Part 2 - Business Transition Strategies Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation.

Part 2: This discussion includes:

Buying out the senior generation while bringing in the junior generation
Tax strategies
Business planning

Meet the Panelists:

This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial.

For more information, contact:

Compeer Dairy Industry Experts
Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts
Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series

175 | How to Pass on a 7-Generation Dairy Farm: Part 1 - Getting Started Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation.

Part 1: This discussion includes:

How and why the Oechscners started their 10-year plan to transition their farm to the seventh generation
Building a transition team
Defining roles in the business
Assessing financial feasibility

Meet the Panelists:

Dennis, Jeni & Alan Oechscner, Oechsner Farms: This seventh-generation dairy farm is currently navigating a 10-year ownership transition plan. The Oechsners will share their firsthand experience managing multi-generational dynamics while embracing modern technologies.

Jared Holt, President & CEO, Ascent Financial: Jared brings deep financial expertise to the discussion, offering insights on estate planning, debt management and financial strategies for long-term success.

Steve Schwoerer, VP of Dairy Lending, Compeer Financial: With over 31 years in dairy lending, Steve will share his knowledge on financial planning for transitions and how Compeer supports dairy clients through the process.

This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial.

For more information, contact:

Compeer Dairy Industry Experts
Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts
Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series

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

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