Uplevel Dairy Podcast

In the latest episode, hosted at the 2025 Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, Peggy converses with Will McKinley from Menn Law, a legal advisor and General Counsel for the PDP, about the intricate challenges of managing family-run multimillion-dollar dairy farms. 

The discussion focuses on common issues such as the 'Cousin Eddie' scenario, where less competent family members may pose risks to farm management and decision-making. Will emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and legal tools, like setting up trusts and involving non-family management to address these complexities while ensuring the farm's longevity and the financial security of all family members. 

He also highlights the necessity of open communication, candor, and psychological insight to navigate these sensitive family dynamics effectively. Will shares real-life examples and stresses the importance of detailed, one-on-one conversations with family members to craft tailored solutions that balance individual desires with the best interests of the farm.

Contact Will McKinley at Menn Law:

[email protected]

(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 [email protected]

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy and Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting at the Central Plains Dairy Expo. They discuss strategies to enhance profitability and efficiency on dairy farms as we progress through 2025. 

Curtis shares insights on the importance of financial planning and risk management in the dairy markets, while Pauly emphasizes the value of operational efficiency audits. 

Both experts underscore the significance of proactive business practices and accurate financial assessments to navigate market volatility and achieve sustained success in the dairy industry. This episode is sponsored by HighGround Dairy, which offers a range of services including market intelligence, insurance, and advisory programs for dairy market participants.

About HighGround Dairy

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.

Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at [email protected]

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 01:55 Curtis Bosma's Background and Role
• 06:40 Pauly Paul's Background and Role
• 08:33 Efficiency and Profitability Strategies
• 17:17 Risk Management Insights
• 24:42 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Alltech’s Jorge Delgado and Compeer’s Brad Herkenhoff to chat about the challenges and strategies related to improving dairy farm culture. 

The discussion dives into the importance of identifying and fostering a strong culture on dairy farms, emphasizing the significance of communication and understanding employee motivations. Jorge Delgado shares actionable steps and success stories, highlighting the need for mission statements and continuous engagement to create a cohesive and dedicated workforce. This episode is packed with practical insights tailored for dairy farm owners and managers aiming to enhance their team's performance and engagement.

About 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

• 00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Stalled Progress in Dairy Farms
• 00:23 Meet the our sponsor: Brad Herkenhoff, Compeer Financial 
• 02:13 The Importance of Culture in Dairy Farms
• 03:26 Insights from Jorge Delgado: Building a Strong Dairy Culture
• 05:17 Defining and Identifying Culture
• 08:25 Creating a Mission Statement: A Case Study
• 17:39 Effective Communication: The Key to Culture
• 18:55 Challenges and Solutions in Dairy Farm Management
• 26:24 Final Thoughts: Leadership and Adaptability
• 27:39 Conclusion: Keep Growing and Upleveling Your Dairy

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Tommy Oesch from Swiss Lane Farms at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

Tommy discusses his transition into the role of visionary at Swiss Lane Farms, key wins and challenges in the first quarter of 2025, and the importance of labor solutions and team culture. They also cover the personal aspects of balancing family life, including the recent wrestling season and the impact of losing a valued team member. 

Tommy shares insights into the evolving vision statement of Swiss Lane Farms and the importance of team alignment and leadership development. The episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast's founding partner, Adisseo.

00:00 Welcome to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast

00:52 Catching Up with Tommy Oesch

01:26 Q1 Recap and Labor Challenges

06:20 Vision and Leadership at Swiss Lane Farms

15:47 Family and Personal Insights

18:33 Wrestling and Team Dynamics

22:38 Leadership and Employee Development

24:57 Concluding Thoughts and Future Questions

26:48 Sponsor Message

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Doug Hubby, general manager of Shamrock Farms. Doug manages 12,000 cows and over a hundred employees, emphasizing his role as a professional problem solver.

The conversation with Doug highlights three key technological advancements implemented to save water, time, and money while improving cow health and performance: a micro machine for precise nutrient delivery, a custom teat dip mixing system, and advanced cooling techniques.

Doug also shares his management philosophy, which is focused on valuing team members and fostering a culture of respect and family. The episode delves into Doug's background, the challenges faced in dairy farming, and his vision for future innovations in the industry.

This episode is sponsored by Micro Technologies

Micro Technologies innovates advanced, comprehensive & integrated technologies to help dairies produce a safe, wholesome product more efficiently and profitably.

For more information, visit: Microtechnologies.com

This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, hosted by Peggy Coffeen, delves into the story of the McCarty family and the establishment of the Judy McCarty Learning Center.

The episode features insights from Ken, Clay, Mike, and Tom McCarty as they honor Judy McCarty’s impact on their family and the dairy industry. It includes a special recording of Judy McCarty from 2020 and highlights the family’s commitment to sustainable dairy farming, education, and community engagement.

The episode also discusses the McCarty family’s move from Pennsylvania to Kansas and their focus on transparency and innovation in dairy farming, underscored by world-leading milking technology provided by sponsor De LaVal.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast
• 00:19 The McCarty Family Legacy
• 00:30 Judy McCarty Learning Center: A Tribute
• 00:39 Voices from the McCarty Family
• 02:03 The Move to Kansas
• 03:06 Sustainability and Innovation
• 03:49 Roles within the McCarty Family
• 04:57 Judy McCarty's Influence on Education
• 06:22 The Purpose of the Learning Center
• 07:31 Emotional Reflections
• 08:58 Community Impact and Future Vision
• 15:55 Modern Dairy Farming Practices
• 19:20 The Mural: A Family Story
• 20:58 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen wraps up Women's History Month by engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Lindsey Worden, the newly appointed CEO of Holstein Association USA. Lindsey, the 10th CEO in the association's 140-year history, shares her inspirational journey from her beginnings in New York and New Mexico to becoming a key leader in the dairy industry. She discusses her vision for the future of the Holstein Association, focusing on partnerships, individual animal identification, and innovation in programs and services. Lindsey also reflects on her personal experiences, including fond memories of dairy camp, her professional development, and her active role in breeding genetics on her family's farm. The discussion highlights the importance of youth and leadership programs offered by the Holstein Foundation, emphasizing the value of inspiring and educating the next generation of dairy industry advocates. Lindsey concludes by sharing her commitment to lead with intention, authenticity, and gratitude, aiming to maintain the association's rich legacy while steering it towards a promising future.

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.⁠

International Women in Dairy Series: Ysabel Jacobs, Ferme Jacobs, Quebec, Canada

We’ve been celebrating women around the world this month with the International Women in Dairy Series here on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, and today I’m joined by a Canadian dairy woman who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win. 

Ysabel Jacobs has stood center of the ring at the world’s most competitive cows shows and with her family at Ferme Jacobs in Quebec, developed iconic cows with household names like Shakira. But when I sat down with this mother of 3, what I discovered was that while raising the next World Dairy Expo champions in the barn certainly excites her, what drives her passion more than anything these days is raising the next generation of her family with the mindset it takes to be champions far beyond the show ring.

Join us at Central Plains Dairy Expo for Happy Hour!

If you are heading to Sioux Falls, stop by the Sheraton Hotel Atrium (party deck) on Wednesday, March 26 from 4-7 p.m.  Enjoy a complimentary cocktail with some of the familiar faces and voices from Uplevel Dairy Podcast and chat with the sponsors that make this podcast possible including:

• Adisseo
• Compeer
• Complete Management Consulting
• HighGround Dairy
• Milc Group
• Nedap

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined for the Monthly Market Update by Curtis Bosma from High Ground Dairy to chat about current trends and forecasts in the global dairy market for March.

They discuss the decline in dairy farm profitability and the impact of varying regional conditions on milk production. The episode also covers key products affecting milk pricing such as cheese, butter, and milk powders, highlighting concerns over domestic and export demand, especially with potential tariffs. The conversation is rounded off with winter crop forecasts affecting the market outlook for 2025 and risk management strategies for producers.

Catch the March Market Update Here: https://marketing.highgrounddairy.com/producer-market-update-march-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 March 17 at 3 p.m. CST and only represent the views of the speaker and not those of HighGround Trading, unless otherwise expressly noted.

International Women in Dairy Series: Jan Winke

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, host Peggy Coffeen sits down with Jan Winke, a dairy farmer and professional with Nedap, who moved from Iowa to New Zealand 17 years ago. She discusses her family’s transition from struggling on a small farm in Iowa to today being proud owners of their own dairy farm in New Zealand. 

Jan shares her compelling journey of relocating with her husband Chad and young family halfway around the world to take advantage of better opportunities in the dairy industry. 

Jan also touches upon the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the differences in dairy farming practices between the US and New Zealand, and the importance of establishing work-life boundaries. 

Tune in to this inspiring conversation about resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of dreams in unfamiliar territory.

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 International Women in Dairy Series
• 01:07 Meet Jan Winke: From Iowa to New Zealand
• 02:23 The Big Move: Challenges and Opportunities
• 06:28 Navigating the New Zealand Dairy Industry
• 12:26 Differences Between US and New Zealand Dairy Farming
• 20:46 Overcoming Gender Barriers in the Dairy Industry
• 28:06 Presenting Our Business: A Team Effort
• 29:03 Milestones in Our Farming Journey
• 30:19 Learning to Code for Work
• 31:29 Reflecting on Our Progress
• 32:44 Implementing Effective Farming Processes
• 35:05 Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Growth
• 49:31 Encouraging Youth in Dairy Farming
• 53:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections