Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Peggy Coffeen
  • 4.8 (32)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What does it take to be a successful, profitable and competitive dairy farm business? This is the podcast for dairy owners, managers and advisors who are after their next level of success. Join Uplevel Dairy host Peggy Coffeen each week as she sits down with the industry’s leading dairy producers and thought leaders for real conversations about business, management and leadership.

  1. 2D AGO

    321 | From Mexico to Managing a Wisconsin Dairy | Rosario Ibarra on Leadership, Motherhood and Mentorship

    She dreamed of being a CEO in heels ... now she does it in coveralls. In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Rosario Ibarra of Grotegut Dairy in Newton, Wisconsin, a third-generation farm milking 3,600 cows.  Rosario remarks on her journey from Mexico, once dreaming of being a corporate CEO, to studying agronomy, joining an international internship that brought her to Wisconsin, and pivotal mentors along the way. She describes returning to Mexico, moving to the U.S. on a visa, marrying her husband, and helping lead his family’s farm through major losses and transition while balancing motherhood and management. The conversation highlights self-belief, mentorship, delegation, supporting the workforce and leading teams with gratitude, compassion, and a low-stress culture focused on animal care and food production. 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.⁠ 00:39 Podcast Welcome01:11 Zoetis Women Farmers01:33 Inside Grotegut Dairy04:04 From Mexico to Cows05:12 Choosing Agronomy07:04 Wisconsin Internship08:33 Mentor Deb Reinhart10:24 Back to Wisconsin12:19 Manager and New Mom13:45 Learning to Delegate15:28 Believing in Yourself17:26 Advice and Networks19:53 Inspired by the Team21:05 Leading With Care22:01 Building A Stress-Free Team24:10 Cornerstone Confidence Shift26:37 Next Steps And Giving Back28:55 Helping Team Members Feel at Home32:14 Belonging Between Two Homes34:25 Boards And Representation36:52 Advice To Young Women38:36 Gratitude And Closing

    41 min

  2. 4D AGO

    320 | Ask the Expert: Natural Solutions for Fly Control with Dr. Mike Catangui

    On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen is back with Dr. Mike Catangui, of MWI Animal Health, to chat about natural insecticides for dairy farm fly control. Dr. Mike describes growing dairy interest due to milk safety concerns about residues, environmental and sustainability expectations from consumers, and reduced risk of insect resistance. He outlines practical use of natural pyrethrins (derived from plants) that can be sprayed directly on calves, heifers and cows, and in sensitive areas where synthetic products may be restricted, supported by improved application tools like battery-powered foggers. He cites research showing stable flies can reduce milk production 10–20% during fly season and estimates a strong ROI, including a prior calculation of $27 gained per $1 spent. This Episode is Brought to you by MWI Animal HealthAt MWI Animal Health, we are your partner in animal health. Our people drive us to think forward every day. We are committed to working with you to identify cutting-edge solutions to your common challenges. We unite with innovators and manufacturers to provide access to products and solutions designed to help you find success in each aspect of your animal health business. Visit www.MWIAH.com for more information. 00:00 Meet Dr. Mike Catangui01:32 What Natural Insecticides Are03:13 Why Dairies Want Natural Options04:57 How Pyrethrins Are Used06:07 Calves & Heifers: Direct Spray Benefits09:34 Milk Loss From Flies10:14 Fly Control ROI Math12:58 Wrap Up And Resources

    14 min

  3. MAR 5

    319 | Farm Forward Conversations: Unpacking Family Dynamics and Succession with Elaine Froese

    Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy highlights the upcoming Farm Forward Conference on Friday, March 27, at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Newton, Wisconsin. Presented in partnership with Zoetis, Menn Law, AgriGrowth Solutions, and Leading Edge Consulting, the event is designed to help farmers and advisors navigate farm transition—especially the hard conversations that often stall progress.The day includes a hands-on workshop led by farm family transition coach Elaine Froese, along with an afternoon panel featuring legal, financial, and farmer perspectives. Attendees will walk away with practical next steps, communication tools, and greater clarity around transition planning. In the podcast interview, Elaine shares her background as a farm-raised home economist and certified conflict-resolution coach. She explains her coaching process and the tools she uses to help families move through procrastination, avoid unnecessary conflict, and separate family dynamics from business decisions. She emphasizes the importance of financial transparency, regular family meetings, clearly defined expectations and timelines, and understanding that fairness does not always mean equality. The conversation also addresses retirement planning, long-term care considerations, and how to reduce anxiety around money and scarcity. Join us for the Farm Forward ConferenceFriday, March 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center7001 Gass Lake Rd, Manitowoc, WIRegister Here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260474594709165For more from Elaine Froese:www.ElaineFroese.comelaine@elainefroese.comConflict Dynamics Profile: https://elainefroese.com/coaching/conflict-dynamics-profile/Farm Family Harmony Podcast: www.farmfamilyharmonypodcast.com 00:00 – Farm Transition Anxiety00:27 – Farm Forward Conference Overview01:53 – Meet Elaine Froese04:39 – How Her Coaching Process Works07:44 – Addressing the “Bull in the Room”10:11 – Common Transition Misconceptions14:49 – Why Clarity and Timelines Matter20:20 – Fair vs. Equal in Farm Transitions25:48 – Retirement and Financial Realities29:51 – Effective Advisor and Family Meetings34:37 – When Change Stalls37:56 – Vulnerability and Shared Goals41:01 – Conference Details and Next Steps42:54 – Coach on Call in the Hall44:51 – Final Takeaways

    47 min

  4. MAR 3

    318 | The Hidden Costs of Heat Stress with Jimena Laporta

    Filmed at the Adisseo VIP Seminar, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Jimena Laporta, associate professor and lactation physiologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, about how heat stress during late gestation programs calves for lifelong—and even multi-generational—effects.Dr. Laporta explains that fetuses exposed to maternal heat stress are more likely to be born smaller and weaker, absorb fewer immunoglobulins, experience higher sickness and early herd exit rates, and produce less milk across multiple lactations. Florida data shows 12–18% higher culling rates and significant long-term milk losses in animals exposed to in utero heat stress, with an estimated $800 million annual impact across the U.S. dairy industry. 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/ 00:00 Heat Stress Before Birth01:32 Meet Dr. Laporta04:21 Fetal Programming Explained07:42 Economic Impact12:04 Multi-Generation Effects14:06 Dry Cow Mitigation17:22 Pre-Weaned Calf Cooling Research21:14 Measuring Mammary Development23:23 Key Takeaways

    28 min

  5. FEB 26

    317 | Mentorship, Motherhood, and Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Liz Strahl

    Peggy Coffeen sits down with Dr. Liz Strahl of St. Anna’s Veterinary Clinic, part of Heritage Vet Partners, to talk about building a career—and a life—in dairy practice. A Wisconsin farm kid turned large animal veterinarian, Liz shares how 4-H, early mentorship, and vet school shaped her commitment to strong, trust-based producer relationships. She unpacks what she calls “unbreakable” bonds between veterinarians and dairy teams—rooted in responsiveness, communication, and delivering value beyond the chute. The conversation also explores mentorship as a two-way street, navigating confrontation early in her career, and how motherhood reshaped her perspective on work-life balance. Liz discusses why many women leave bovine practice, the importance of supportive clinic culture, and how active learning helps prevent burnout. She highlights functional fitness and wellness as essential for the physical demands of large animal work, along with her goal of becoming board-certified in dairy practice. Her key takeaway: stay curious, ask more questions than you think you should, and be unapologetically yourself. This Epiosde is Brought to You by Heritage Vet Partners Heritage Vet Partners is the nation’s leading veterinary partnership, specializing in mixed and large animal practices.  Heritage Vet Partners provides a unique partnership model that preserves local practice legacies, serving dairy and other livestock producers and companion animal owners through shared services, data, and strategic growth. Learn more at HeritageVetPartners.com. 01:11 Sponsor Heritage Vet Partners 01:35 Choosing Vet Medicine 02:44 School and Early Career 05:05 Unbreakable Producer Bonds 08:07 Mentorship in the Truck 13:54 Hard Lessons Confrontation 15:34 Motherhood and Identity Shift 18:15 Why Women Leave Bovine Practice 20:17 Burnout and Active Learning 23:46 Wellness and Functional Fitness 25:16 CrossFit Origin Story 29:17 Trust Flexibility Challenge 32:14 Connecting with the Team 36:16 Active Learning and Authenticity 39:15 Big Goals and Getting Boarded 41:01 Wrap Up and Podcast Outro

    42 min

  6. FEB 24

    316 | Global Insights and Practices for Raising Strong Dairy and Beef Calves

    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 Preview01:39 Meet Jim Van Patter: Wisconsin Calf Program & Global Consulting Experience03:43 Meet Rodolfo Nava: Beef-on-Dairy Calf Ranch in New Mexico + Why DCHA Matters05:21 The Universal Non-Negotiables: Colostrum, Nutrition, Comfort & Ventilation07:48 Sanitation, Automation & Scaling Calf Care Without Losing Quality09:54 Transition Milk Deep Dive: Products, Ratios, and What Changes in the Calves12:54 Jim’s On-Farm Results: Implementing Transition Milk + Gains, Scours, Lung Scores16:48 What’s Changed Over Decades: Consistency, Hutch Housing, and Survival Rates20:01 Today’s Biggest Challenges: Regulations, Labor, Weather, and Data Feedback Loops23:56 Building a Winning Calf Team: Motivation, Retention, Pride, and First Impressions27:55 2026 Goals + Where to Focus First: Colostrum, 3x Feeding, Data, and Team Development32:32 Why DCHA Helps Producers Win: Speakers, Gold Standards, Learning Library & Networking37:21 Final Takeaways + Invitation to Tucson (Tours, Spanish Sessions) + Wrap-Up

    41 min

  7. FEB 20

    315 | Join us for the High Plains Dairy Conference with Dr. Robert Hagevoort

    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 Matters01:54 What Is the High Plains Dairy Conference? 20 Years of Producer-Driven Growth03:14 How the Agenda Gets Built: ‘What’s on Your Mind?’ + Pre-Conference Tracks05:34 Must-See Sessions: Labor & Workforce Development Panel (What Actually Works)07:22 Big Picture Forecasts: Dairy Outlook Series + DC & Trade Perspectives08:49 Beef-on-Dairy & Heifer Inventory: Where the Markets Go Next10:51 Registering + More Hot Topics: Water, Sorghum Silage, Byproducts & Biosecurity14:00 March 5 Middle Manager Workshop: Communication & Conflict Resolution (EN/ES)17:50 Beyond the Conference: The Dairy Consortium & Pipelines Conference18:51 6-Week Dairy Immersion for Students: Hands-On Training, Careers & Enrollment27:59 Taking Training Global: Building Dairy Skills in Indonesia with USDEC34:23 Wrap-Up: See You in Amarillo + Final Thanks

    36 min

  8. FEB 19

    314 | Benchmarking for Dairy Profitability: Fine-Tuning Your Farm’s Financial Edge

    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 Groups07:22 Big Levers: Feed Costs, Efficiency, and Milk Components08:59 Homegrown Forages & Feed Management: What to Optimize11:38 Core Benchmarks to Watch: Capital Cost, Labor, and Replacement Rates16:18 Turning Data Into Action: Consistency, Clean Categories, and Advisory Teams20:45 Key Takeaways for Dairy Strong: Embrace the Process & Keep Moving Forward22:56 What Top-Performing Dairies Do Differently (Attention to Detail + Team Buy-In)27:31 Wrap-Up & Resources

    29 min
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4.8
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32 Ratings

About

What does it take to be a successful, profitable and competitive dairy farm business? This is the podcast for dairy owners, managers and advisors who are after their next level of success. Join Uplevel Dairy host Peggy Coffeen each week as she sits down with the industry’s leading dairy producers and thought leaders for real conversations about business, management and leadership.

Information

  • Creator
    Peggy Coffeen
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    317
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 868329
  • Show Website
    Uplevel Dairy Podcast

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