Uplevel Dairy Podcast

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!

• Listen to Episode 36 with Megan Schrupp here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6H45sTWc4Ib

• 4 High-Impact Actions to Create a Winning Farm Culture with Travis Speirs, Shiloh Dairy

• Dairy Tech in Texas: Managing 8,000 Cows with Activity Monitors featuring Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy

• Protecting His Price and Managing Risk with Nathan Moroney, Del Rio Dairy

• Managing More Cows, More People and More Data with Derrick Josi

• Full-Potential Farming: Reaching the Highest Level of Performance with Cows and People through Technology with Megan Schrupp, NexGen Dairy

• Olympic-level Business, Management and Mindset with Elle Purrier-St. Pierre and Jamie St. Pierre

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

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/⁠

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

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/⁠

• 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

In this special Mother’s Day episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Danielle Volles, a dairy farm mom who transitioned from a banking career to running a dairy farm in Marietta, NY. Danielle discusses her journey of trading high heels for work boots, managing 4,000 livestock, and raising five children, including two adopted nieces. She shares insightful perspectives on parenting, balancing family life with farm responsibilities, and recognizing the invaluable contributions of farm moms. Danielle also highlights the importance of holistic health for cows and how AHV's natural treatments have transformed their animal health management. This episode, filled with honest and inspiring conversations, recognizes the incredible efforts of dairy farm moms making a difference.

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/

We’re picking up where we left off with the Abbott brothers, the two farm boys from Vermont who went on to achieve high levels of success in two different parts of the dairy business: Tim Abbott and David Abbott.

We talk about tough decisions, taking risks and what it takes to be successful as a leader. Dave reflects on his experiences as CEO at Purina Mills, as well as stepping outside of the agriculture industry and into various other leadership roles, and Tim talks about taking the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship in dairy cattle breeding with St. Jacobs, and now, Showbox Sires.

There’s more than 130 years combined of wisdom and lives well-lived in this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

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/

We're talking country music, career paths, and most importantly, courage, character, and the common bond of two brothers from Cabot, Vermont, here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.

Tim Abbott is back, and he’s brought his big brother David Abbott onto the show.

We get to hear David’s story, from graduating in the top third of his high school class of 10, to his 25-year career with Purina Mills, where he eventually became CEO, before stepping out of ag to grow and consult across other industries.

Through the brotherly banter, you will hear a story of pursuing your dreams, perseverance and staying true to your path and your purpose.

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/

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Steven Landwehr, CEO of United Dairies in Minnesota, part of the PACE Group. Steven shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to leading a multi-partner, multi-site enterprise. He discusses the key role of transformational leadership, accountability, and decision-making in the success of their operations. 

Steven talks about the importance of growing and empowering his team members, instilling confidence, and professionalizing processes. 

The episode also highlights the technological advancements brought by Milc Group’s software, which has streamlined feed and animal management and improved operational efficiency.

This episode is sponsored in partnership with the 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

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast's Young Leaders series, Peggy and Kiley Pagel from Pagel’s Family Businesses welcome Dr. Megan Abeyta, an independent dairy nutritionist with GPS Dairy Consulting. Dr. Abeyta shares her unique journey from growing up in a non-agricultural background in Fort Collins, Colorado, her unforgettable experiences with sheep during lambing season, and landing in her role today, helping dairy cows and farmers be their best. Listeners will hear about her work at Pagel Family Businesses and her role as a nutritionist servicing farms across Wisconsin. Megan offers insights into the challenges and rewards of her career, the importance of mentorship, and valuable advice for young professionals entering the agriculture sector.or.

Episode Sponsor: 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/

• 00:00 Introduction to the Young Leaders Series
• 00:40 Meet Kiley and Her Role at PS Ponderosa
• 01:41 Introducing Dr. Megan Abeyta
• 02:43 Dr. Megan's Journey into Dairy Nutrition
• 07:00 Challenges and Triumphs in the Dairy Industry
• 08:47 Advice for Aspiring Dairy Professionals
• 12:25 Resources and Mentorship
• 17:00 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen and Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy are catching up on the monthly market updates for April. In this conversation, you can hear about the impact of tariffs on dairy exports such as whey protein and non-fat dry milk, and how planting projections for corn and soybeans in 2025 might affect the dairy industry. The episode also delves into the volatility of the markets influenced by recent announcements from the Trump administration. 

Curtis shares insights into the broader implications for the dairy market, focusing on export reliance and the potential effects on U.S. dairy products, particularly regarding trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The episode further covers milk production trends amidst rising costs and the benefits of beef cross calves, as well as the importance of strategic and agile risk management in navigating market changes. Curtis emphasizes the necessity for dairy producers to stay proactive and flexible in their risk management strategies to optimize margins amid market uncertainties.

Get your monthly market update here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-april-2025

• 00:00 Introduction to Tariffs and Dairy Exports

• 01:12 Market Reactions to Tariff Announcements
• 04:12 Impact on Dairy Markets
• 08:48 Milk Production Trends and Challenges
• 12:04 Corn and Soybean Planting Projections
• 17:04 Risk Management Strategies
• 20:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 April 16 p.m.12:30 CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.