Uplevel Dairy Podcast

Peggy Coffeen
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business
  • Semiweekly

Welcome to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast - the podcast for dairy producers and professionals who are committed to moving our industry forward. Each week, Peggy Coffeen brings you the leaders, lessons, and real-world stories from the people who have built the dairy business we know today, and those who are shaping its future. © 2026 Uplevel Companies LLC. All rights reserved. Original content from Uplevel Dairy Podcast. Reproduction or republication of copyrighted material requires prior written permission. Content is for informational purposes only; guest opinions are their own.

  1. 4d ago

    395 | Building, Buying or Transitioning? Know What Your Dairy Is Worth

    What is your dairy farm really worth—and does investing $1 million in facilities mean you’ve added $1 million in value? On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Brad Herkenhoff, a Senior Dairy Lending Specialist, and Shelby Borman, a Certified General Appraiser, from Compeer Financial to explore what drives dairy farm appraisals. They discuss rising land values, construction costs and the facility features that can make a property more attractive to potential buyers. The conversation also examines how location, functionality and expansion plans influence appraised value—and why the cost of a project may not match the value it adds. From financing growth to buying property and planning a farm transition, Brad and Shelby explain how an appraisal can be more than a lending requirement. Learn how understanding your farm’s value today can help you make more informed decisions for its future. 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 — What Is Your Dairy Farm Really Worth?00:28 — Meet the Compeer Financial Experts01:26 — Understanding Dairy Appraisals02:00 — Rising Land Values Across the Midwest03:11 — Construction Costs and Facility Values05:27 — Dairy Expansion: Growth Opportunities and Higher Costs07:11 — Which Facility Improvements Add Value?08:02 — Building for the Right Herd Size09:52 — Planning Expansion in Phases11:36 — How Location and Buyer Demand Affect Value13:26 — When a Dairy Farm Is Harder to Sell14:13 — Using Existing Equity to Support Growth15:13 — Planning Capital Investments for the Long Term16:19 — Why an Appraisal Can Help Before You Buy17:14 — Appraisals and Farm Succession Planning18:16 — Establishing a Starting Point for Farm Value19:45 — Why Every Investment Doesn’t Return Dollar for Dollar20:45 — Working With Your Lender and Appraiser21:54 — The Uplevel Challenge: Know Your Farm’s Value22:18 — Turning Appraisal Insights Into Better Decisions

  2. 6d ago

    394 | The Breeders' Table: A Candid Conversation with Three of the Most Brilliant Minds in Dairy Cattle Breeding

    What makes a great cow—and which breeding decisions shape the future of the Holstein breed? Recorded live during World Dairy Expo, this special edition of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast brings together Greg Andersen of Seagull Bay Dairy and WinStar Genetics, Idaho, Jordan Siemers of Siemers Holsteins, Wisconsin, and Andrew Steiner of Pine Tree Dairy, Ohio, for an open conversation about the cows and bulls that have influenced their breeding programs. They revisit influential cow families, discuss the sires that made a lasting impact, and share the stories behind pivotal purchases and unexpected matings. The conversation also explores the balance between genomic rankings and real-world performance, including strength, fertility, health traits, production and the ideal modern dairy cow. Looking ahead, the breeders consider genetic diversity, international bloodlines, evolving evaluations and the traits that will matter most to profitable herds. This episode is brought to you by EA Risk, Milc Group, smaXtec and United Sires.  EA Risk, formerly Ever.Ag Risk Management, partners with dairy producers to build customized risk management plans that help protect margins in any market environment. With dedicated advisors, industry-leading technology, and proven tools like Dairy Revenue Protection, we help farms reduce uncertainty and secure long‑term financial strength.Learn more at https://ea-risk.carrd.co/ 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 tools they need to succeed. smaXtec is the internal health management system for dairy cows. The unique bolus technology measures internal temperature, rumination, drinking cycles, activity, and more. smaXtec helps dairy farmers of any size make confident, data-driven decisions that lead to healthier cows, fewer treatments, and better performance. With early detection and 24/7 monitoring, dairies can stay ahead of herd health issues and focus on long-term herd success. Find out more: https://smaxtec.com/us/ United Sires is a partnership of well-known Holstein breeders from the United States bringing genetic solutions to dairy producers worldwide. Our mission, “Breed the Best, Better,” reflects the work we have been doing on our farms for generations. As multi-generational dairy farmers, we adhere to a simple yet powerful principle: We Milk What We Make. We understand the importance of breeding cattle that are profitable throughout their lifetimes, functional across all dairy enterprises, and aesthetically pleasing. Learn more at Unitedsires.com and follow on Facebook at United Sires and Instagram @unitedsiresofficial. 00:00 — Introducing The Breeders' Table02:02 — Why These Breeders Wanted to Talk Genetics07:07 — The Holstein Cows That Belong on Mount Rushmore10:34 — The Foundation Cows Influencing Today’s Breeding Programs16:50 — The Bulls That Changed Holstein Genetics20:00 — Influential Sires and the Traits They Transmitted30:00 — What Makes a Profitable, Modern Dairy Cow?35:00 — Genomics, Type and Real-World Herd Performance40:00 — Breeding Decisions, Unexpected Matings and Lessons Learned46:20 — The Purchases and Cow Families That Changed Everything50:31 — Rebuilding Maternal Lines and Preserving Genetic Diversity53:24 — European Genetics and New Opportunities for the Breed55:54 — Rapid-Fire Questions: Indexes, Size, Fat and Protein1:00:00 — What Makes Breeding Holsteins Rewarding?1:02:22 — The Decisions and People Shaping the Future of Genetics

  3. Oct 22

    393 | 100 Miles Running, 100 Miles Biking: Jordan Matthews' Mission Beyond the Miles

    What motivates someone to run 100 miles and bike another 100? For Jordan Matthews of Rosy-Lane Holsteins, the challenge was about more than endurance. It was an opportunity to raise funds for the UW Carbone Cancer Center and bring people together around a cause that matters.In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen talks with Jordan about the motivation behind his Crossing Wisconsin challenge, the personal experiences that shaped his mission, and the lessons he learned along the way.Jordan shares insights on resilience, mental health, leadership and the power of community, showing how a personal challenge can inspire others and make a difference beyond the miles.Support the UW Carbone Cancer Center: Help support the cause behind Jordan’s challenge by donating here: https://give.wiscmedicine.org/CrossingWisconsin 0:00 Crossing Wisconsin: 100 Miles Running, 100 Miles Biking 03:10 Honoring Loved Ones Through a Challenge 04:50 From the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan 06:55 How Cancer Close to Home Changed Jordan’s Perspective 08:00 From a First 5K to Ultramarathons 09:45 Finding a Purpose Bigger Than Yourself 13:55 Bringing Friends and the Dairy Community Along 17:35 Pushing Others Beyond What They Thought Possible 20:35 The Connection Between Physical Activity and Mental Health 34:00 Finding Clarity Away From Screens and Distractions 37:00 Getting Through the Darkest Hours of the Challenge 40:40 Reflecting on Loved Ones and Finding Strength 43:55 Supporting Cancer Research at the UW Carbone Cancer Center 45:20 Exceeding the Fundraising Goal 48:45 What’s Next at Rosy-Lane Holsteins? 52:45 You vs. You: Be a Little Better Than Yesterday

  4. Oct 20

    392 | How This Father-Son Team is Transitioning the Family Dairy Farm

    What does it take to prepare the next generation to lead a dairy farm before ownership officially changes hands? Peggy Coffeen visits B&B Dairy near Waupun, Wisconsin, to talk with father-son team Brent and Chase Harmsen about building trust, sharing responsibility and navigating farm succession. They discuss the evolution of their dairy, from a stanchion barn to robotic milking, along with improvements in forage quality, nutrition and calf care. Brent and Chase share lessons from a family buyout, including why communication, aligned goals and a written partnership agreement are essential. They also explain why giving the next generation room to make decisions and learn from mistakes can prepare them for future leadership. Discover how this family is building a stronger dairy business through collaboration, continuous improvement and planning ahead.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 00:00 Succession Starts Before the Handoff 01:58 From a Stanchion Barn to Robotic Milking 02:37 Why Chase Returned to the Family Farm 03:41 Learning, Growing and Taking on Responsibility 04:19 Dividing Roles Between Cows and Business Management 05:31 Challenges with Robotic Milking and Calf Health 06:56 Improving Forage Quality and Nutrition 08:34 Homegrown Feed, Soybeans and Feed Costs 11:07 What Makes High-Quality Forage? 15:36 Building Trust Through Responsibility 17:26 Improving Calf Facilities and Management 24:03 Cow Comfort, Health and Dairy Performance 26:30 Making Decisions Together Across Generations 30:32 Planning for the Future of the Dairy 32:40 Learning the Business Side of Farm Succession 35:14 Knowing When to Let Go 37:01 Why the Next Generation Needs Room to Make Mistakes 38:56 Lessons from a Family Buyout 40:34 Aligning Goals and Communicating Through Disagreements 41:48 Why Every Farm Partnership Needs an Exit Strategy 43:47 A Nutritionist's Perspective on the Partnership 45:16 Uplevel Takeaway: Transfer Responsibility, Not Just Assets

  5. Oct 16

    391 | Beyond the Banner: Breeding Champions and Building Character with Katie DiGangi, Darlington Ridge Farms

    In this final Showbox Stories Live from the Tanbark episode filmed at World Dairy Expo, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires interview Katie DiGangi of Darlington Ridge Dairy about the origins and goals behind the D-Ridge prefix, her family’s growing involvement in showing, and the values she hopes to pass to her daughters Mila and Paige. Katie explains how their tagline “passion, care, quality” guides decisions on their 4,500-cow dairy, how show cattle create responsibility and character for kids, and how CowManager helped improve herd metrics like pregnancy and cull rates. Along with that, the conversation celebrates the success of D-Ridge at the 2026 World Dairy Expo, including owning and exhibiting three class winners, breeding the junior champion of the Red & White show and taking home top honors for junior best three females, all quite a feat for a farm that only first stepped onto the colored shavings five years ago! This series is brought to you by CowManager. CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com. Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=all\YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager 01:46 Katie Takes Stage 03:22 A Magical Expo Day 05:47 Building D Ridge Brand 07:29 Why Show Cows 09:48 Raising Kids With Chores 12:47 Tech That Frees Time 14:53 Dreaming Future Stories 16:20 Mila The Deal Maker 17:42 Surprise Trophy Moment 19:45 Where To Find Showbox 21:10 Series Wrap And Thanks

  6. Oct 15

    390 | The Veterinarian of Champions with Dr. Sheila McGuirk

    In Part 4 of Showbox Stories Live from the Tanbark at World Dairy Expo, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires welcome Dr. Sheila McGuirk from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to discuss her long involvement with the show, beginning in 1983 as a Holstein assistant and evolving into ring responsibilities and veterinary leadership. McGuirk explains the critical role of Expo veterinarians in health, welfare, safety, and preparing elite show cows for top performance, and describes bringing veterinary students to Expo for pre-unload health checks, an accredited experience that has introduced many students,often with no prior cow exposure, to dairy cattle and mentorship. She also shares the Hellenbrand Lasting Legacy Award, created after Mike Hellenbrand's passing in 2020, to support youth by awarding donated calves that are shown through Expo and sold via the World Classic Sale, with applications opening October 1 and closing January 1, 2027. For more information on this youth opportunity, visit https://hellenbrandlastinglegacy.com/ This series is brought to you by CowManager. CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com. Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=allYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager02:42 Dr. McGuirk's Expo Origins 04:32 Vet Team Behind Scenes 05:56 Training Show Athletes 06:55 Students Health Check Program 10:27 Mentoring Story Chicago Student 13:14 Helennbrand Legacy Award

  7. Oct 14

    389 | Legends of the Colored Shavings with Clark Woodmansee and Bryan Voegeli, featuring Tara Bohnert

    Filmed live at World Dairy Expo for Showbox Stories: Live from the Tanbark, Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott welcome Clark Woodmansee and Bryan Voegeli to share unforgettable Expo memories, the influence of mentors, and the multi-generation family legacies behind Woodmansee Holsteins and Begley’s Brown Swiss, including Bryan’s family role in the Expo’s origins. They discuss why they return for competition, people, and learning, recall stories ranging from a near ring mishap to generational pride, and emphasize honesty, repeat customers, and mentorship as keys to lasting success, along with the prestige of the Klusendorf tradition. Tara Bohnert of CowManager then explains new calving alerts that monitor behavior within 14 days of due date to provide low/medium/high calving probability, helping teams manage maternity pens, intervene earlier, and support healthier cows and calves, while sharing her own Jersey show and mentor-driven dairy journey.This series is brought to you by CowManager.CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com.Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=allYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager02:59 Meet Clark and Bryan04:11 Why Expo Matters09:14 Unforgettable Expo Moments12:08 Generations on the Farm15:57 Sales and Customer Trust22:25 Advice for Young Breeders26:07 CowManager Calving Alerts32:08 Tara Showbox Story35:04 Mentors and Legacy

  8. Oct 13

    388 | From Show String to Sale Ring with Chris Hill, featuring Dr. Lori Nagel

    Welcome to Part 2 of Showbox Stories Live from the Tanbark at World Dairy Expo, where Peggy Coffeen and Tim Abbott sit down with Chris Hill of MD Hillbrook, as he recounts starting in 4-H judging in 1983, becoming a fitter, and learning from mentors that shaped his career. Hill emphasizes that success is about treating people well, taking risks, and evolving in the sales business, including creating the Bright Futures Sale Series during COVID and the Music City Celebration in Nashville (taking place Dec. 7, 2026). Additionally, Dr. Lori Nagel of CowManager explains the value of continuous lifetime monitoring from calves onward, using behavior, activity, eating and rumination data to prioritize care, evaluate management practices like vaccination, weaning and dehorning timing, and reduce long-term health impacts. This series is brought to you by CowManager.CowManager delivers 24/7 real-time data to help producers enhance herd health, fertility and nutrition. To learn more, contact your CowManager Specialist at Select Sires or visit CowManager.com. Website: https://www.cowmanager.com/Contact: https://www.cowmanager.com/contact/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowManagerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowmanagers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowmanager-bv/posts/?feedView=allYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cowmanager 01:34 Barn Radio Memories 02:22 Meet Chris Hill 03:46 Early Expo and Fitting 05:45 Mentors and Old School Clipping 07:22 People First Success 09:18 Unforgettable Expo Moments 10:14 Old Barns and Icon Strings 14:34 Risk Taking and Bright Futures 17:12 Million Dollar Doc Story 18:26 Nashville Sale Preview 20:56 Meet Dr. Lori Nagel 22:17 Why Lifetime Monitoring Matters 24:39 Calf Alerts and Management Wins 27:37 Favorite Calf Story

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About

Welcome to the Uplevel Dairy Podcast - the podcast for dairy producers and professionals who are committed to moving our industry forward. Each week, Peggy Coffeen brings you the leaders, lessons, and real-world stories from the people who have built the dairy business we know today, and those who are shaping its future. © 2026 Uplevel Companies LLC. All rights reserved. Original content from Uplevel Dairy Podcast. Reproduction or republication of copyrighted material requires prior written permission. Content is for informational purposes only; guest opinions are their own.

Information

  • Creator
    Peggy Coffeen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    391
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 868329
  • Show Website
    Uplevel Dairy Podcast

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