In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, meet Michaela Bethard, the feed manager at High Plains Ponderosa Dairy in Kansas. Despite originally vowing never to work on a dairy, Michaela found her true passion in feed management. She shares her journey from interning in New Zealand to thriving in one of the most pivotal roles at a large-scale dairy operation. The conversation touches on her early aspirations, challenges faced, valuable lessons learned, and the importance of continued learning and human touch in agriculture. Additionally, Michaela talks about her leadership style and how her introverted nature has grown through managing a team. As she prepares for new personal milestones, Michaela reflects on the ever-evolving landscape of feed management and the potential future impacts of AI in the industry.

• 00:00 Introduction to Michaela Bethard's Journey
• 01:10 High Plains Ponderosa Dairy: A Family Affair
• 02:22 From Vet Aspirations to Feed Management
• 03:46 Discovering a Passion for Feed Management
• 06:56 The Importance of Reading Bunks
• 10:12 Challenges and Growth in Feed Management
• 12:27 Managing People and Building a Team
• 17:20 Key Lessons and Future Insights
• 19:16 Influential Mentors and Supportive Parents
• 20:21 Career Choices and Grad School Decisions
• 21:51 Future Aspirations in Dairy Management
• 23:46 The Role of AI in Feed Management
• 29:13 Advice for Young Dairy Professionals
• 32:01 Personal Growth and New Beginnings
• 35:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts