Uplevel Dairy Podcast

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen launches a four-part series in partnership with DeLaval, spotlighting the multi-generational story of Country Aire Farms in Greenleaf, Wisconsin. Brothers Mike and Tom Gerrits share their journey from growing up on a small 80-cow dairy to leading a thriving, innovative operation. The episode explores how their father, Bud, instilled a str...

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen engages with Elsie Gonzalez-Leach of Motiva Consulting to discuss her inspiring journey from Puerto Rico to the United States. Elsie shares how her experiences have fueled her mission to support Spanish-speaking dairy farm employees through leadership development and tailored Dairy English language courses.  With a focus on personal growt...

This collaboration episode between Uplevel Dairy and World Dairy Expo features the McCarty Brothers—Mike, David, Ken, and Clay—as they discuss their family's legacy and milestones that led to being named World Dairy Expo's Dairy Producers of the Year. They reflect on their family's history from northeastern Pennsylvania to their significant growth in Kansas, their partnerships with large companies...

In this special episode, Peggy Coffeen, host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, partners with World Dairy Expo to interview Juan Moreno, CEO and Founder of STgenetics and recipient of the 2025 International Person of the Year award. Juan shares his inspiring journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Colombia to pioneering reproductive technologies that have transformed dairy cattle breeding. He discus...

This collaboration episode between Uplevel Dairy and World Dairy Expo features Jim Mulhern, a seasoned dairy policy expert, who shares his journey from growing up in small town Wisconsin to leading the National Milk Producers Federation. Jim talks about his early exposure to politics and policy in seventh grade, which led to his interest in agricultural policy during his college years. He also dis...

In this live episode from Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Will McKinley of Menn Law Firm delves into the legal intricacies of managing and transitioning family dairy farms.  From partnership structures to succession planning, Will shares essential strategies for ensuring the longevity and success of dairy operations. He also highlights common challenges, such as finding interested successors and m...

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen and Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy provide an extensive market update for August 2025. The discussion covers key areas such as the continual year-over-year growth in US milk production, including a 3.3% increase reported in June, which is attributed to genetic improvements and enhanced cow comfort. The podcast also highlights a record...

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 inclus...

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 oper...

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...

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 a...

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 ti...

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 thei...

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 memo...

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 industr...

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...

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...

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 ser...

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 discussio...

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 beli...

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, Kell...

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 scali...

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...

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 foc...

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, whi...