376 | Stewardship in Action: Building a Dairy for the Next Generation
What does it really take to build a dairy that can thrive for generations?
In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Mitch Perkins of Perkins Twin Creek Farm in Indiana, a third-generation family dairy milking 450 cows and farming 2,700 acres. Mitch shares what it means to step into a family legacy and make decisions that honor what previous generations built while preparing the farm for what comes next.
From investing in robotic milking technology to embracing high-oleic soybeans and creating new opportunities within their cropping operation, Mitch talks about approaching innovation through the lens of stewardship, profitability, and long-term sustainability. He also shares why knowing when to walk away from an opportunity can be just as important as knowing when to say yes.
At the heart of the conversation is a simple philosophy: do the little things right, and those things become the big things.
This episode is a thoughtful look at making intentional decisions, staying personally involved, and building a dairy that gives the next generation an opportunity to carry the legacy forward.
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 Legacy and Responsibility
02:03 Meet Perkins Twin Creek
03:24 Robots Plus Parlor
04:35 Lessons From Grandpa
07:05 Sustainability Equals Profit
09:19 High Oleic Breakthrough
11:52 Selling Beans to Dairies
14:08 Robots Decision Process
15:41 Saying No to Premium
17:55 Dairy Marketing and Health
23:16 Attracting Next Generation
25:09 Traditions and Diligence
