Uplevel Dairy Podcast

This Uplevel Dairy Podcast episode features Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) board members Jim Van Patter and Rodolfo Nava, as they discuss key practices for raising high-performing dairy replacement heifers and beef-on-dairy calves. Both emphasize that success starts with excellent colostrum management in the first 24 hours, followed by a high plane of nutrition, sanitation, ventilation, and calf comfort.

Jim and Rodolfo compare calf-raising strategies that focus on nutrition, consistency, and labor efficiency. Both emphasize the value of strong colostrum and transition programs, with three-times-a-day feeding improving daily gain, reducing scours, and supporting better lung health—even with a modest added cost per calf. They discuss how automation, data tracking, and cleaner, well-ventilated hutch systems have lowered mortality and labor demands, while environmental regulations and day-to-day crew consistency remain ongoing challenges. The conversation also highlights team retention, clear communication with suppliers, and building pride in calf care. Looking ahead to 2026, Jim plans to continue refining nutrition and monitoring, while Rodolfo aims to shorten the time in hutches without sacrificing performance.

Make sure to save the date for the annual DCHA Conference, April 7–9 in Tucson, Arizona.

The episode is brought to you in partnership with the DCHA and is sponsored by First Defense.

• 00:00 Raising Elite Calves: What This Episode Covers + DCHA Conference Preview
• 01:39 Meet Jim Van Patter: Wisconsin Calf Program & Global Consulting Experience
• 03:43 Meet Rodolfo Nava: Beef-on-Dairy Calf Ranch in New Mexico + Why DCHA Matters
• 05:21 The Universal Non-Negotiables: Colostrum, Nutrition, Comfort & Ventilation
• 07:48 Sanitation, Automation & Scaling Calf Care Without Losing Quality
• 09:54 Transition Milk Deep Dive: Products, Ratios, and What Changes in the Calves
• 12:54 Jim’s On-Farm Results: Implementing Transition Milk + Gains, Scours, Lung Scores
• 16:48 What’s Changed Over Decades: Consistency, Hutch Housing, and Survival Rates
• 20:01 Today’s Biggest Challenges: Regulations, Labor, Weather, and Data Feedback Loops
• 23:56 Building a Winning Calf Team: Motivation, Retention, Pride, and First Impressions
• 27:55 2026 Goals + Where to Focus First: Colostrum, 3x Feeding, Data, and Team Development
• 32:32 Why DCHA Helps Producers Win: Speakers, Gold Standards, Learning Library & Networking
• 37:21 Final Takeaways + Invitation to Tucson (Tours, Spanish Sessions) + Wrap-Up

This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features Dr. Robert Hagevoort of New Mexico State University, previewing the 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference, March 3–4 in Amarillo, Texas, plus a middle manager workshop on March 5. He outlines the producer-driven program focused on practical topics like workforce development, markets, beef-on-dairy, water, feeding strategies, and biosecurity.He also shares updates on the Dairy Consortium’s six-week hands-on training program in Clovis, New Mexico, which has prepared hundreds of students for careers in dairy and allied industries.The episode wraps with his work in Indonesia, where dairy nutrition initiatives and targeted producer training are helping improve management and milk production.Register for the High Plains Dairy Conference: http://highplainsdairy.org/Register for the Middle Managers Training Workshop: http://highplainsdairy.org/middle-managers-training-workshop/Learn more about the U.S. Dairy Consortium: https://usdetc.tamu.edu/

• 00:00 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference: Why This Event Matters
• 01:54 What Is the High Plains Dairy Conference? 20 Years of Producer-Driven Growth
• 03:14 How the Agenda Gets Built: ‘What’s on Your Mind?’ + Pre-Conference Tracks
• 05:34 Must-See Sessions: Labor & Workforce Development Panel (What Actually Works)
• 07:22 Big Picture Forecasts: Dairy Outlook Series + DC & Trade Perspectives
• 08:49 Beef-on-Dairy & Heifer Inventory: Where the Markets Go Next
• 10:51 Registering + More Hot Topics: Water, Sorghum Silage, Byproducts & Biosecurity
• 14:00 March 5 Middle Manager Workshop: Communication & Conflict Resolution (EN/ES)
• 17:50 Beyond the Conference: The Dairy Consortium & Pipelines Conference
• 18:51 6-Week Dairy Immersion for Students: Hands-On Training, Careers & Enrollment
• 27:59 Taking Training Global: Building Dairy Skills in Indonesia with USDEC
• 34:23 Wrap-Up: See You in Amarillo + Final Thanks

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Curtis Gerrits and Jim Moriarty of Compeer Financial about why benchmarking is essential for dairy farms, especially as year-end financials become available, milk prices soften, and recent beef-on-dairy income may have masked underlying costs. They explain benchmarking as first comparing a farm to itself over time, then comparing to a larger peer dataset of similar farms to identify strengths and small opportunities across income and expenses that can add up.

Key areas discussed include feed cost and productivity (including homegrown forages like corn silage and increased use of alfalfa), feed efficiency factors such as refusals and mixing time, and the importance of working with nutritionists and local crop partners. They highlight core benchmarks such as capital cost per hundredweight and labor cost per hundredweight, how capital and labor relate when making investments, and improvements in net herd replacement costs driven by lower herd turnover, fewer heifers raised, and more beef calf sales.

They conclude with takeaways to embrace financial management and benchmarking, keep moving forward during down cycles, and note that top-performing dairies succeed through attention to detail, execution, regular decision-making, and involving family, key employees, and advisors by sharing financial results.

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.

Visit https://www.compeer.com/specialists/dairy

• 00:00 Why Benchmarking Matters Right Now (Year-End Numbers + Softer Milk Prices)
• 04:05 Benchmarking Basics: Compare to Yourself, Then to Peer Groups
• 07:22 Big Levers: Feed Costs, Efficiency, and Milk Components
• 08:59 Homegrown Forages & Feed Management: What to Optimize
• 11:38 Core Benchmarks to Watch: Capital Cost, Labor, and Replacement Rates
• 16:18 Turning Data Into Action: Consistency, Clean Categories, and Advisory Teams
• 20:45 Key Takeaways for Dairy Strong: Embrace the Process & Keep Moving Forward
• 22:56 What Top-Performing Dairies Do Differently (Attention to Detail + Team Buy-In)
• 27:31 Wrap-Up & Resources

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is on-site at Sheadview Dairy in Berlin, Wisconsin, to talk farm transition and the partnership with a non-family member that will carry this dairy farm forward. Kevin Krentz, his son Marcus and partner Cory Biely, share insights on what it takes to redefine ownership and create a partnership that will allow this dairy to continue on successfully.
The conversation covers key aspects of transitioning the farm, including challenges, communication strategies, long-term goal setting, and the importance of legal structuring. This episode also highlights the significance of shared vision, respect, and continuous improvement in achieving a thriving 700-cow dairy farm.
We also hear from Sheadview's dairy nutritionist and consultant, Eric Staudinger, with NutriQuest.
This episode is brought to you by NutriQuest

The NutriQuest Dairy Nutrition Team is a group of experienced nutritionists committed to serving dairy producers by partnering with them to develop an un-biased, customized nutrition program that delivers maximum profitability, achieved through a holistic approach, engaging in all aspects that influence nutrition program success.

The NutriQuest Dairy Team is committed to serving the dairy industry and delivering their customers’ consistent results with a high return. Learn more at nutriquest.com/dairy-nutrition-solutions

• 00:47 Welcome to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast
• 01:54 Shead View Dairy: A Family Legacy
• 03:45 Kevin's Vision for the Farm
• 07:42 Partnerships and Expansions
• 16:56 Communication and Decision Making
• 32:08 Legal Steps to Forming a Partnership
• 33:25 Transitioning to an LLC
• 34:23 Share Structure and Ownership
• 36:19 Personal Growth and Financial Literacy
• 38:27 Operational Goals and Team Dynamics
• 40:26 Challenges and Successes in Dairy Farming
• 42:25 Forage Quality and Nutrient Management
• 54:44 Future Goals and Expansion Plans
• 01:01:48 Eric Staudinger: Advisor's Perspective on Dairy Success

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Dr. Scott Armbrust, president and owner of Paradocs Embryo Transfer, to delve into his impactful career in dairy cattle genetics and veterinary medicine. Dr. Armbrust shares his journey from growing up on a Nebraska farm to becoming a pioneer in bovine embryo transfer. 
He discusses his early inspirations, significant contributions through embryo transfer, and his global influence in training veterinarians and advancing dairy genetics. The episode also highlights Dr. Armbrust's ethos on mentoring the next generation of veterinarians and his ongoing contributions to the dairy industry.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with the National Dairy Shrine

• Award applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/awards/⁠
• Scholarship applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholar⁠
• Donate to Dairy Shrine: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/donate/⁠
• YouTube channel: ⁠https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine⁠

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Scott Armbrust
• 00:56 Early Life and Inspiration
• 02:02 Journey into Veterinary Medicine
• 04:09 Pioneering Embryo Transfer
• 05:48 International Impact and Mentorship
• 11:06 Legacy and Future Plans
• 15:09 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Bonnie Ayars, an energetic and deeply passionate cattle breeder, teacher, coach and advocate for agriculture. Bonnie shares her path from developing a Guernsey herd and teaching for over 50 years to her impactful role at Ohio State as a dairy program specialist. Bonnie also delves into her family's community outreach through their own ice cream and cheese business. She reflects on her career, the importance of seizing opportunities, and her deep passion for mentoring students. With anecdotes about hosting a Luke Bryan concert and winning national baking contests, Bonnie Ayars' story is a testament to dedication, resilience and the power of giving back.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with the National Dairy Shrine

• Award applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/awards/⁠
• Scholarship applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholar⁠
• Donate to Dairy Shrine: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/donate/⁠
• YouTube channel: ⁠https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine⁠

Chapters

• 00:23 Bonnie Ayars' Background and Achievements
• 01:15 Community Engagement and Unique Experiences
• 03:15 Early Life and Career Beginnings
• 09:02 Transition to Teaching and Mentorship
• 11:48 Impact of Teaching and Personal Reflections
• 16:56 Guiding Students and Emphasizing Opportunities
• 19:50 Balancing Life and Personal Endeavors
• 21:43 Winning the Pie Contest
• 22:40 Competing at the Grand Bake Opry
• 25:02 From Pies to Ice Cream
• 26:33 Building a Family Business
• 30:03 Teaching and Mentoring Youth
• 33:54 Reflecting on Achievements
• 35:51 Future Aspirations
• 38:29 Honored with the Pioneer Award
• 41:20 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Joe Lineweaver, a distinguished figure in the field of reproductive physiology and embryo transfer. Dr. Lineweaver shares his remarkable journey from his roots in Virginia to his academic and professional accomplishments, including his work at Virginia Tech and the founding of Blue Ridge Embryos.

He discusses the early challenges and triumphs in embryo transfer technology, his contributions to the development of industry standards, and his dedication to mentoring the next generation. Joe's passion for improving dairy cattle genetics, particularly in Jersey cows, shines through, culminating in his recognition as the 2025 Dairy Shrine Pioneer of the Year.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Dr. Scott Armbrust, president and owner of Paradocs Embryo Transfer, to delve into his impactful career in dairy cattle genetics and veterinary medicine. Dr. Armbrust shares his journey from growing up on a Nebraska farm to becoming a pioneer in bovine embryo transfer.

He discusses his early inspirations, significant contributions through embryo transfer, and his global influence in training veterinarians and advancing dairy genetics. The episode also highlights Dr. Armbrust's ethos on mentoring the next generation of veterinarians and his ongoing contributions to the dairy industry.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with the National Dairy Shrine

• Award applications: https://dairyshrine.org/awards/
• Scholarship applications: https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholar
• Donate to Dairy Shrine: https://dairyshrine.org/donate/
• YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine

Chapters

• 01:11 Joe's Early Life and Education
• 02:57 Journey into Embryo Transfer
• 03:45 Challenges and Innovations in Embryo Transfer
• 04:48 Career at Virginia Tech
• 07:28 Founding Blue Ridge Embryos
• 10:37 Leadership and Mentorship
• 13:41 Scholarship Programs and Giving Back
• 15:39 Reflections and Achievements
• 20:04 Recognition and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. George Wiggans to discuss his extensive career in dairy cattle genetics and genomics. Dr. Wiggans shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to working closely with Dr. Paul Van Radden, leading to significant contributions in genetic evaluations that propel the dairy industry. He highlights the transformative role of genomics in doubling genetic progress and improving dairy cattle productivity. Dr. Wiggans also touches upon his international experiences, including his time with the Peace Corps and the USDA, and reflects on the recognition he received as a Pioneer Award winner from the National Dairy Shrine. Throughout the conversation, the emphasis is on the importance of innovation, data accuracy, and continuous improvement in dairy genetics.This episode is brought to you in partnership with the National Dairy ShrineAward applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/awards/⁠Scholarship applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholar⁠Donate to Dairy Shrine: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/donate/⁠YouTube channel: ⁠https://youtube.com/@DairyShrine00:50 Early Life and Influences01:43 Academic Journey and Mentorship05:01 International Experience and Career Decisions08:59 Return to Academia and USDA Career10:27 Advancements in Dairy Genetics12:39 Impact of Genomics24:43 Future of Dairy Genetics27:46 Recognition and Reflections

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Peter Vail, a prominent figure in the dairy cattle show world and the fertilizer business.  Vail recounts his career journey from starting CaroVail Fertilizer Company in 1964 to his significant investments in various dairy cattle breeds. He shares personal anecdotes about his childhood on a commercial dairy farm, his ventures in fertilizer, and his return to dairy cattle in the 1990s. Vail highlights key milestones, including the success of his family business now in its third generation, and his achievements in dairy cattle showing. At 86 years old, Vail reflects on his career, the importance of knowledge, and his enduring passion for the dairy industry.
01:09 Peter Vail's Early Life and Introduction to Dairy

03:10 First Experiences in Dairy Showing

07:29 Transition to Fertilizer Business

08:39 Challenges and Successes in the Fertilizer Industry

11:18 Career Growth and Relocation

15:26 Starting a New Venture

18:16 The Start of CaroVail

18:26 Building a Family Business

19:43 Returning to Cattle

19:55 High-Flying Investor Days

20:45 Adventures in Cow Trading

23:38 Success with Jerseys

26:39 Memorable Cows and Achievements

29:49 Reflections and Future Goals

30:42 Conclusion and Gratitude
Link to award applications: https://dairyshrine.org/awards/Link to scholarship applications: https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholarLink to donate to Dairy Shrine: https://dairyshrine.org/donate/Link to YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine?si=dS_EVxaA1XhUXBhzInformation about webinar

• Topic: “Avoiding Burnout in a 24/7 Industry”
• Date: February 11, 2026
• Time: Noon Central
• Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eTGV4PLeTe2gI4np7Lrlzg

This episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast features a partnership with the National Dairy Shrine to present interviews with the winners of the Pioneer Award. Executive Director Mike Opperman introduces the series, sharing insights about the organization's history, mission, and contributions to the dairy industry. Mike details his own journey within the dairy sector and discusses the various awards and initiatives hosted by the National Dairy Shrine, including scholarships, youth outreach, and the newly introduced Emerging Leader Award. The episode previews interviews with notable figures like Bonnie Ayars, George Wiggins, Scott Armbrust, and others who have significantly impacted genetics, genomics, and dairy advancement.
00:00 Introduction to a Special Series

00:40 Meet Mike Opperman: A Dairy Industry Veteran

02:51 The National Dairy Shrine: History and Mission

05:58 Supporting Young Dairy Professionals

08:00 Introducing the Emerging Leader Award

12:20 Honoring Dairy Industry Pioneers

20:30 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

Link to award applications: https://dairyshrine.org/awards/Link to scholarship applications: https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholarLink to donate to Dairy Shrine: https://dairyshrine.org/donate/Link to YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine?si=dS_EVxaA1XhUXBhzInformation about webinar

• Topic: “Avoiding Burnout in a 24/7 Industry”
• Date: February 11, 2026
• Time: Noon Central
• Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eTGV4PLeTe2gI4np7Lrlzg