In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy sits down with Doug DeGroff, a seasoned dairy professional who brings the rare perspective of having lived and worked in three of the most prominent dairy regions in the U.S.—New York, Wisconsin, and California. Doug shares his expansive career in the dairy industry, from milking cows on one of New York's most progressive dairies, managing a dairy in Wisconsin, to settling in California's Central Valley.

Now with Progressive Dairy Solutions, Doug recounts his growth in the industry, his role as a mentor, and the resilience it took to overcome life-threatening accidents, including being buried under 20 tons of silage.

Doug also discusses the evolution of large-scale dairies, advancements in genetics and technology, and the importance of family and gratitude. This episode highlights Doug's journey through grit, growth, and a drive to improve both the dairy industry and his personal life.

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

00:00 Introduction to Doug DeGroff's Dairy Journey

02:06 Early Life and Career Beginnings

03:37 Transition to California

05:25 Experiences in Dairy Management

13:38 Nutrition Consultancy and Feeder Training

19:05 Silage Avalanche Survivor

22:03 The Significance of Back Braces

23:42 Impact of the First Injury

24:57 The Second Injury and Recovery

27:24 Lessons from Adversity

30:49 Technological Advancements in Dairying

35:13 Future of the Dairy Industry

40:50 Personal Reflections and Career Motivation

42:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts