Podcasts about Animal science

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Juan Romero from the University of Maine talks about practical ways to reduce hay nutrient losses in humid climates—a common challenge for dairy producers. He highlights the benefits of using preservatives, improving storage techniques, and maintaining forage quality to preserve nutrients. With a focus on cutting spoilage and boosting profitability, Dr. Romero shares actionable tips to help you get the most out of your hay and silage. Tune in now on all major platforms!"Proper storage under a roof and off soil is essential to avoid spoilage after drying efforts."Meet the guest: Dr. Juan Romero is an Associate Professor of Dairy Cattle Nutrition and Forage Science at the University of Maine, where he focuses on improving forage quality and conservation to support dairy profitability. Dr. Romero holds a B.Sc. in Animal Sciences from the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Peru and both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Florida. He completed post-doctoral research in forage science at North Carolina State University.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:27) Introduction(04:22) Hay production(09:11) Hay preservatives(13:43) Legumes vs. grasses(17:43) Hay storage(22:32) Soil moisture(26:57) Final questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Evonik* Lallemand* Priority IAC* Adisseo- ICC- AHV- AGRI-TRAC- Protekta- Natural Biologics- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- Scoular

In this episode, Erica Macon, MS, PAS, Ph.D., joined us to discuss equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation, including diagnostic tools, feeding recommendations, pharmaceutical treatment, ongoing research, and more.This episode of Disease Du Jour is brought to you by Bimeda.Dr. Macon is an Assistant Professor of Equine Science in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. For her master's and Ph.D., she focused on equine nutritional endocrinology. Her dissertation serves as the foundation for nutritional recommendations for horses with insulin dysregulation associated with metabolic syndrome. At Texas A&M, Dr. Macon investigates what leads to impaired insulin signaling in the endocrine diseased equid. Her primary focus is the development of improved diagnostics and therapies that have the potential to elucidate the mechanisms behind hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis.Disease Du Jour Podcast Hosts, Guests, and Links Episode 159:Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)Guest: Erica Macon, MS, PAS, Ph.D.Podcast Website: Disease Du JourThis episode of Disease Du Jour podcast is brought to you by Bimeda Equine.Connect with Host:Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.In 2020, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), North American Renderers Association (NARA) and Pet Food Institute (PFI) collaborated to publish the Pet Food Consumption Report. The organizations collaborated again to publish a second edition in 2025, which Lara presented at Petfood Forum. Data sets from both brick-and-mortar sales and Amazon sales were used to create the report. (6:16)Lara explains that data analysts reverse-engineered product labels from dog and cat food and treats in the dataset to identify trends, including ingredient use, value, tonnage, upstream value, and what pet food adds to the economy. Dry dog food makes up the largest volume of sales at 55%, and also takes the number one spot in value of sales at 38%. Dry cat food is the second largest by volume (16%), followed by dog treats (11%). However, dog treats are the second largest by value (20%), followed by dry cat food (12%).  (7:57)Louise and Charles talk about trends in non-veterinary spending on pets, cultural shifts in consumer perceptions of pet ownership, pet food trends in developing countries, and consumer understanding of human and pet nutrition needs. (12:04)Lara notes that the top five ingredients in the report are chicken and chicken products, whole grains, milled grains, beef and beef products, and marine-based ingredients. Chicken and chicken products made up 2.2 million tons, while marine-based products represented about 500,000 tons. Marine products doubled in volume from the 2020 report to the 2025 report, signifying a trend of higher value, more select ingredients coming into the pet food space. Salmon and cod are the primary marine ingredients. Lara remarks that the specialty ingredients side of the report is fascinating, with items like blueberries, tomatoes, peas, beet pulp, cranberries, and flaxseed making an appearance. Louise explains the 2020 report had less than 400 ingredients, while more than 600 ingredients appear in the 2025 report. Charles notes that since the last report, there has been a slight shift to more fresh meat products and slightly less rendered products. (16:10)About half the cat and dog food is made up of upcycled ingredients. The panel discusses consumer perceptions of byproducts and co-products, the sustainability role that these products play in the industry, and their organizations' commitments to education and policy efforts. (22:27)Pet food manufacturers purchase 9.8 million tons of ingredients valued at about $13.2 billion, which then represents about $52 billion in sales. Lara talks about some of the upstream impacts of the pet food industry. Pet food is manufactured in 43 states, with the top five being Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and California. Each of these states is selling more than $700 million worth of ingredients to pet food manufacturing. Relatively few pet food ingredients are imported; amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and marine products would be the exception. Manufactured pet food has a fairly strong export market. (29:55)Lastly, panelists share their take-home thoughts. (35:56). The 2025 report is available at https://www.ifeeder.org/. You can download the full report as well as graphics, and there is a feature that allows you to create your graphs and charts with the data. Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada, during the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference. The panel discusses their individual experiences with outbreaks in different states. Beth talks about her group's microbial surveillance technology they used to compare rectal swabs from positive and non-positive herds. They noted elevations in specific virulent E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens in the HPAI-positive herds. Enrique noted that in California, the outbreak began in the South Valley during periods of heat stress, which exacerbated symptoms. He also felt that some dairies panicked a little and moved cows too much, which did not help. In the North Valley, the outbreak happened in cooler weather, and dairies purposefully did not move cows out of their pens and provided supportive therapy within the pen. (5:25)Dr. Schcolnik emphasized making sure i's are dotted and t's are crossed in your nutrition program to help manage through an outbreak. The immune system is an obligate glucose utilizer, so energy is key, as are protein and trace minerals. He noted they also added binders to diets, and either probiotics or double doses of yeast to keep the rumen healthy. Decreasing intake is a big symptom, so he recommends vitamin B supplementation to stimulate appetite. (12:30)The panel discusses how the Texas and California outbreaks differed from one another, including heat stress, recovery in milk production after infection, bird migration and cattle movement. Enrique notes that in California, it seemed like transmission was going downwind. Animal movement, wild birds and milk trucks were also implicated. (14:31)Several companies are investing in vaccine development, but the virus mutation is a challenge. Dr. Spencer wonders if the vaccine will end up resembling the human flu vaccine where you hope to target the general structure of the virus to reduce impact. The panel talks about natural immunity and how cows will be impacted in the lactation after they were ill. Dr. Schcolnik has observed that a percentage of cows who were dry during the outbreak aren't performing as well after freshening. He hypothesizes this could be due to mammary cell death during infection, as the virus lyses the cell as it exits the cell. (24:41)The panel discusses practical recommendations for dairy producers to prepare for or help mitigate during an outbreak. Biosecurity is key. Vaccines are hopefully on the way, but until then, minimizing cattle movements within the herd, post-dipping cows as soon as possible after the machine falls off and minimizing splashing of milk are all good practices. The panel looks forward to more research about all the different ways the virus transmits. They're also eager to learn more about treatment plans and what has worked for different dairies regarding giving fluids, altering rations, boosting the immune system, managing co-infections and impacts on calves and heifers. (29:18)Lastly, panelists share their take-home thoughts. (37:33)Scott invites the audience to Bourbon and Brainiacs at ADSA in Louisville - a bourbon tasting with all your favorite professors! Sign up here: https://balchem.com/anh/bourbon/Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Marcia Endres from the University of Minnesota shares how precision tech is reshaping daily life on dairy farms. From robotic milking systems to computer vision and welfare-monitoring sensors, she shares practical insights into how data-driven tools are shaping herd management, animal comfort, and productivity. Understand the real-world challenges and opportunities of tech adoption on dairies. Listen now on all major platforms!"We can collect digital information on cows living in a group, and still monitor each one individually using precision tools."Meet the guest: Dr. Marcia Endres earned her Ph.D. in Animal Science with a dairy emphasis from the University of Minnesota, where she now serves as Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist. Her work centers on improving dairy cattle welfare, health, and performance through advanced housing systems and precision technologies. With a focus on robotics, behavioral sensors, and animal management, her research supports innovation on U.S. dairy farms.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:17) Introduction(05:58) Robotic milking systems(08:23) Computer vision insights(11:22) Sensor data adoption(19:29) AI in animal welfare(27:57) Teaching dairy tech(36:30) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Adisseo* Evonik* Lallemand* Priority IAC- Scoular- ICC- AHV- AGRI-TRAC- Protekta- Natural Biologics- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich

IN today's episode podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with up with US animal genetics expert and award winning ag communicator Professor Alison Van Eenaammen. Prof Van Eenennaam is a distinguished Professor of Cooperative Extension in the field of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at  the University of California, Davis where she has been on faculty for over 20 years. She spoke at the recent World Angus Congress in Brisbane on the opportunities and challenges for DNA and biotechnology in the beef industry.         The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.    

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michael VandeHaar from Michigan State University shares insights on bridging nutrition and genetics to breed more efficient dairy cows. He also discusses the upcoming ADSA meeting, highlighting sessions on applied nutrition, feed efficiency, and milk fat optimization. Listen now on all major platforms!"Some cows eat less than expected for whatever reason, and those are the cows we want in the future."Meet the guest: Dr. Michael VandeHaar earned his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Iowa State University and has been a Professor at Michigan State University since 1988. With over 35 years of experience, his research focuses on dairy cattle nutrition and improving feed efficiency through genetics. He also teaches mammary physiology and leads major initiatives in the American Dairy Science Association.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:38) Introduction(03:58) Applied nutrition sessions(06:13) Milk fat and profitability(07:30) Overview of the ADSA(10:25) Nutrition and genetics link(13:28) Methane insights(16:05) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro- Volac- Afimilk- Kemin

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Janak Dhakal from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore takes a closer look at the important topic of pet food safety and its impact on both human and animal health. He shares insights into groundbreaking USDA-funded research aimed at reducing Salmonella risks in pet food using natural antimicrobials and bacteriophages. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about innovative solutions for making pet food safer. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!"Raw pet foods are particularly concerning due to the absence of safety interventions like cooking or chemical treatments to eliminate pathogens."Meet the guest: Dr. Janak Dhakal, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, holds a Ph.D. in Poultry Science from Mississippi State University. With expertise in food microbiology and safety, his research focuses on mitigating Salmonella in pet food and exploring innovative safety solutions. Dr. Dhakal's diverse academic and professional experience makes him a vital resource for the pet food industry.What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(00:56) Introduction(02:57) Research focus(04:55) Pet food safety(07:17) Salmonella risks(09:49) Raw pet food(17:02) Innovative solutions(21:56) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- ICC- Biorigin- Scoular- EW Nutrition- Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference. Dr. Laporta gives an overview of her presentation, focusing on the impact of heat stress during the dry period on the cow, her daughters and her granddaughters. She covers heat stress impacts on mammary gland involution, as well as fetal programming effects on the daughter and granddaughter. (3:37)Daughters of heat-stressed cows have fewer sweat glands located deeper in the skin, thicker skin and more sebaceous glands. This was observed at birth, weaning and puberty. They sweat more than heifers who weren't heat stressed in utero, but have higher rectal temperatures during the preweaning phase. Dr. Laporta hypothesizes that if those calves were exposed to additional stress, they would be more susceptible to illness because of the higher core temperature.  (6:34)The panel discusses heat stress impacts on male fetuses and the potential for epigenetic changes to be transmitted through semen. Dr. Gerloff asks about differences in the impacts of heat stress on first-calf heifers compared to older cows. Dr. Laporta describes the survival rates of heifers who were heat-stressed in utero. Heifers are lost from the herd even before first calving, with more following in first and second lactation.  (11:00)Dr. Laporta outlines the differences between heat-stressed and cooled treatments in her experiments. They measure respiration rates and rectal temperatures to assess the physiological impacts of heat stress in the cows. Scott asks how long the heat stress period needs to be in order to observe negative effects. Dr. Gerloff asks about calf mortality rates between the two groups. Dr. Laporta estimates a 12% death loss in the heat stress groups, who seem to be more susceptible to the usual calf illnesses. It appears that gut closure might occur earlier in heat-stressed calves - maybe even before birth, which does not bode well for their immune systems. (16:49)Dr. Laporta details how heat stress impacts mammary gland involution. Early in the dry period, you want a spike in cell death to build new cells for the next lactation. In heat-stressed cows, the spike in cell death early in the dry period is diminished, not allowing those cells to die. This results in less proliferation of the mammary gland, and the cow starts her next lactation with older cells that weren't renewed in full. Thus, producing less milk. Dr. Gerloff shares some of his experiences with heat stress in his area of Illinois. (22:17)Heat stress has negative impacts on other organs as well. Heifers who experienced heat stress in utero are born with larger adrenal glands with altered microstructure. Dr. Laporta describes some of the DNA methylation that has been observed in these heifers. The panel discusses whether the response would be similar for other types of stressors, like cold stress or social stress. (26:19)What can we do to mitigate these impacts? Cooling dry cows so they can thermoregulate during gestation is critical. Altering diets to account for heat stress is also an important strategy. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to “fix” cows who were exposed to heat stress in utero, but these negative implications can be prevented. Dr. Laporta has also focused on what she calls perinatal programming - after the calf is born, what can we do? She has been working to develop cooling mechanisms for calves and is interested in further investigating early life mammary development. (33:41)When a dry cow experiences heat stress, she has fewer and smaller alveoli. Daughters of those cows have smaller udders with altered tissue growth. Granddaughters of those cows have fewer estrogen receptors in their udders and negative impacts on mammary proliferation. (44:30)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (47:52)Scott invites the audience to Bourbon and Brainiacs at ADSA in Louisville - a bourbon tasting with all your favorite professors! Sign up here: https://balchem.com/anh/bourbon/ (54:31)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Ching-Yen Lin, Technical Services Manager at Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition, shares what you need to know about using potato ingredients in pet food. She clears up common myths about potatoes, explains how they stack up against sweet potatoes, and talks about their processing advantages and safety factors. Find out why potatoes bring more to the table than just energy. Tune in now on all major platforms!"Potato ingredients contribute not only starch and protein but also micronutrients like potassium and vitamin C, supporting nutritional diversity in pet diets."What will you learn: (00:00) Introduction(05:02) Potato ingredient types(10:17) Nutritional benefits of potatoes(13:33) Potato vs. sweet potato(16:49) Inclusion strategies in diets(19:42) Addressing anti-nutritional factors(23:08) Final QuestionsMeet the guest:Dr. Ching-Yen Lin holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Illinois and a Master's in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University. She currently serves as Technical Services Manager at Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition, focusing on bridging science with real-world pet food solutions. With expertise in gut health, ingredient functionality, and diet formulation, Dr. Lin is passionate about advancing companion animal nutrition.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedInLiked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference. Dr. Grant gives an overview of his presentation at the conference, highlighting cow time budgets and the importance of natural cow behavior to health, welfare and productivity. The impacts of overcrowding, including rumen pH and de novo fatty acid synthesis, are a key component of his message. (7:07)Eating, resting and ruminating are the big three behaviors we've studied for decades. In addition to their obvious importance to cow welfare, they have a real health and performance effect. Dr. Grant suggests the recumbent rumination - just lying down and chewing her cud - is really the cow's superpower. Cows with the same rumination time who accomplish more while lying down have less subacute ruminal acidosis, greater dry matter intake, and higher fat and protein content in their milk. It all boils down to the balance between eating time and recumbent rumination time. (12:15)The panel discusses the definition of overcrowding. Spoiler alert: it depends. (15:50)Clay asks Rick if overcrowding of beds or feed bunks is more important. The easy answer is both, but Rick acknowledges he'd say beds if he were pushed for an answer. Resting is a yes or no; she's either lying down or she's not. From the feed bunk perspective, a cow can alter her behavior to a point for adjusting to overcrowding - eat faster, change her meal patterns, etc. A hungry cow will walk by the feed to recoup lost rest time. Cows should be comfortable enough to spend at least 90% of their rumination time lying down. (17:50)Dr. Grant thinks of overcrowding as a subclinical stressor. A cow has different “accounts” for different activities: lactation, health, reproduction, etc., as well as a reserve account. To combat the subclinical stress of overcrowding, a cow uses her reserve account, but that's hard to measure. If the reserve account gets depleted and another stressor comes along, the overcrowded pens are going to show greater impacts. The panel brainstormed ideas for how to better measure a cow's reserve account. (19:39)Clays asks if overcrowding is affecting culling rates. The panel assumes it has to be, though no one can point to a study. Dr. Grant notes there is data from France that shows decreased longevity in cows who don't get enough rest, which is a hallmark of overcrowding. Given the low heifer inventory, the panel muses if the industry ought to pay more attention to the culling impacts of overcrowding and have a more dynamic approach to evaluating stocking density as market and farm conditions shift. (25:10)Bill asks about nutritional and management strategies to reduce the stress of overcrowding. Rick notes that overcrowding tends to make the rumen a bit more touchy, so he talks about formulating diets with appropriate amounts of physically effective fiber, undigested NDF, rumen-fermentable starch, and particle size. (29:21)Dr. Grant talks about the differences in rumination when a cow is lying down versus standing. The panel discusses cow comfort, preferred stalls, and first-calf heifer behavior in mixed-age groups with and without overcrowding. Bill and Rick agree that having a separate pen for first-calf heifers on overcrowded farms would benefit those heifers. Dr. Michael comments on evaluating air flow and venting on-farm. (33:49)The panel wraps up the episode with their take-home thoughts. (47:55)Scott invites the audience to Bourbon and Brainiacs at ADSA in Louisville - a bourbon tasting with all your favorite professors! Sign up here: https://balchem.com/anh/bourbon/ (52:02)The paper referenced in this conversation from Dr. Bach can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030208711226Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Natalia Hemminger Saucier is The Gospel Rider ✝️ She began riding regularly at the age of 7, and enjoys ranch riding, western dressage, gaited riding, showmanship, competitive drill team and liberty work - working free with horses! She holds a degree in Apologetics from Liberty University, and recently graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Her passion for proper saddle fit along with natural horsemanship collided with her faith, and thus “From the Equine to the Divine” presented by The Gospel Rider Ministries was created. Natallia is a certified drill team judge and has competed competitively for almost 10 years and actively instructs both horse and rider. She is an 10-year alumni of her local 4H club in Citrus County, FL, where she is actively involved in community and was the Reserve Grand champion at Auburn‘s Block and Bridle Little I competition, where she successfully showed not only horses but also sheep and cattle. She also has actively competed on Auburn's IHSA Equestrian Team. Natalia is recently married and continues to pursue making an impact through both horsemanship and faith. Jump in the saddle and join us for another excellent episode on the Be A Dreamcatcher Podcast!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Marcos Marcondes from the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute breaks down the science behind milk replacer fat levels for calves and why fat content matters. He explains how milk replacers differ from raw milk in fat concentration, compares the effectiveness of lactose versus fat as energy sources, and highlights the key benefits of high-fat milk replacers for calf health and development. Listen now on all major platforms!"We're seeing consistent improvements in calf health when feeding a high-fat milk replacer or raw milk compared to a high-lactose milk replacer."(00:00) Introduction(02:13) Fat concentration impact(03:34) Lactose vs fat energy(05:30) Calf health response(06:32) Winter feeding strategies(10:31) Fatty acid composition(14:52) Closing thoughtsMeet the guest:Dr. Marcos Marcondes earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Florida. He currently works at the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute as a Dairy Research Scientist. His work focuses on calf nutrition, methane reduction, microbial protein production, and fat sources in milk replacers.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedInClick here to read the full research article!The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:- Zinpro- Afimilk* Adisseo* Kemin-Volac- Virtus Nutrition

This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada, during the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference. The panel is reviewing a presentation given by Dr. Rick Grant, who was unable to be on the podcast. The presentation was based on the idea that crowding is a subclinical presence. If you manage it with people and resources, a dairy can do very well. But if something happens in that crowded situation, like a disease or heat stress, it can tip performance over the edge. Evaluating time budgets for cows can allow for the identification of places to improve. Beds are vitally important. If a cow doesn't have a bed due to crowding then she's not lying down, chewing her cud, which is what allows her to be as efficient as possible. (3:19)Jason thinks about time budgets as a tool for managing stress. Jim agrees and notes that crowding is part of every cow's day, but we can manage to minimize that time in most instances. Jason and Jim talk about some of their approaches to evaluating crowding when they work with a dairy, and where pain points are often located. (5:57)Jason liked Dr. Grant's takeaway message that the cow doesn't necessarily care she's overcrowded as long as she has a bed she doesn't have to fight for and room at the feed bunk she doesn't have to fight for. He describes a very successful client who is overcrowded, but everything else is managed well. All other stressors have been removed, so the only stressor remaining is the overcrowding. But when additional stressors compound crowding, then dairies experience issues. He adds there is a huge opportunity for error when feeding to slick bunks in an overcrowding situation. (16:15)Jim talks about different measures of efficiency. Is it milk per cow, milk per free stall, milk per parlor stall, or milk per pen? He thinks the real answer is “it depends,” and the answer might be different for each dairy. Jason notes that the bank wants to see assets on a balance sheet, and the cows are the assets. (19:24)The group discusses geographical differences in overcrowding. Jim's observations show crowding increases as one moves east in the US. Tom agrees and notes 20-30% of the available stalls are in his part of the world. Overcrowded cows eat faster, and this impacts rumen efficiency, probably leading to lower de novo fatty acid synthesis and overall lower components. The panel talks about whether or not there is such a thing as an “overcrowding ration.”(20:59)The panel relays some real-world examples of crowding where dairies would cull cows to decrease milk production, but production would remain the same because the cows were now less crowded. They talk more about other management strategies that need to be on point if a dairy is going to overcrowd. (27:50)The panel wraps up with their take-home thoughts for dairy producers and nutritionists. Jim and Jason share their contact information with the audience. (38:20)Scott invites the audience to Bourbon and Brainiacs at ADSA in Louisville - a bourbon tasting with all your favorite professors! Sign up here: https://balchem.com/anh/bourbon/ (45:02)The paper referenced in this conversation from Dr. Bach can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030208711226Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt

Learn about the impressive Pileated Woodpecker, compare it to the possibly extinct Imperial Woodpecker, and discover how these birds are built for powerful pecking. In the companion video class about woodpeckers, explore the unique adaptations that help woodpeckers peck safely, cling to trees, and find food—all while creating a detailed nature journal page to record your discoveries. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Woodpecker show notes page to see a pileated woodpecker! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Antonio Gallo, Full Professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy, discusses mycotoxin contamination in dairy feed, its effects on cow health, and strategies for mitigation. Learn how to detect and manage mycotoxins to protect your herd and milk production. Tune in now on all major platforms!"Contamination can come from multiple sources, even forages, making it essential to monitor quality regularly."Meet the guest: Dr. Antonio Gallo is a Full Professor in Animal Nutrition and Feeding at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science, with research focused on dairy cattle nutrition, feed evaluation, and improving nutrient utilization in dairy production systems. Dr. Gallo has been recognized among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University.Click here to read the full research articles:Review on Mycotoxin Issues in RuminantsAdverse Effects of Fusarium Toxins in RuminantsStrategies and technologies in preventing regulated and emerging mycotoxin co-contamination in forageWhat will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:41) Introduction(03:47) Common mycotoxins in dairy feed(05:56) Sources of contamination(07:50) Effects on cow health and milk(10:31) Strategies for mycotoxin mitigation(14:36) Future research directions(17:09) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:Volac* Adisseo* Kemin- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro- Afimilk

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Jordyn Studer, Technical Service Specialist at Barentz, explains the crucial role of choline in poultry diets. She outlines its key metabolic pathways, common dietary sources, and how new alternatives are reshaping nutritional strategies. Discover how these innovations enhance feed efficiency, handling, and performance outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!"Choline can be acetylated into acetylcholine, which plays a large role in the nervous system."Meet the guest: Jordyn Studer earned her M.S. in Poultry Science from Virginia Tech and her B.S. in Animal Sciences from Purdue University, where she specialized in animal agribusiness with a poultry emphasis. Currently a Technical Service Specialist at Barentz, she focuses on improving efficiency and nutritional strategies in poultry production.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:22) Introduction(02:50) Choline metabolism roles(05:33) Dietary choline sources(06:52) Choline benefits(08:25) Replacement dose strategies(10:25) Upcoming broiler research(12:24) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:Barentz* Kemin* Kerry- Poultry Science Association- Zinpro- Anitox- BASF

This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada for the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference. Dr. Shabtai gives an overview of her presentation. Afimilk has a new technology that includes a feed efficiency sensor to determine eating, rumination, heat stress monitoring and more. The Feed Efficiency Service combined with the AfiCollar can estimate dry matter intake, which, when combined with Afimilk's milk meter data, yields an efficiency value of milk income over feed cost for each cow. She details how the algorithm works to predict intake and some of the challenges faced during the development of this technology. The algorithm was developed with Holsteins, but a Jersey algorithm is nearing completion. (5:33)Shane and Emily share some of their experiences with beta-testing the Feed Efficiency technology on-farm to evaluate, including animal-to-animal variation and variation in different stages of lactation. The panel discusses how genomics could pair with this data to aid in selection decisions. (9:21)Walt asks Dr. Shabtai to share how the company took the technology from research facilities to commercial farms, and asks Shane and Emily to share how the technology has proven itself on-farm. (13:11)Shane notes that they've had a handle on the milk side of the efficiency equation of individual cows for a while, but they didn't know much about the feed intake side of the equation. This technology allows for that. Shane also shares how this technology adds another tool to their dairy's sustainability toolbox.  (18:50)Walt asks both producers to share a metric that they thought was important before, but now that we have more knowledge and technology, it might not be as important as they thought. Shane's pick is starch level in corn silage, and Emily's is percent pregnant by 150 days in milk. (21:18)Dr. Shabtai shares the basics that a producer would need to implement this technology. She details a few things that have changed and will change about the product based on data from beta testing and notes there are always new things to see and find on-farm. (22:59)Scott asks Shane and Emily what metric they'd like to measure that they can't measure yet. Shane wonders if there would be a way for AI to compile weather and market data to assist with milk or feedstuff contracting decisions. Emily would like to be able to use more on-farm technology to help manage people. She shares how the data she has now allows her to see different improvements that could be implemented for different milking shifts. Shane talks about need-to-know information versus neat-to-know information. (26:35)The panel discusses how the technology is updated through software rather than hardware when new versions are available. They also share some tips for implementing the software on-farm. Walt asks each panelist their “I wonder if…” question. (29:58)The panel wraps up with their take-home thoughts, and Dr. Shabtai shares where farmers can learn more about Afimilk's feed efficiency technology by visiting afimilk.com. (36:49)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with former Army Ranger Patrick Montgomery, the founder of KC Cattle Company, for a raw and inspiring conversation about grit, growth, and the grind of entrepreneurship. Patrick kicks things off by briefly reflecting on his time in the military before diving into his journey into agriculture—starting as an Animal Sciences major with a different plan before pivoting into the cattle business. He shares how he founded KC Cattle Company, why he chose to go direct-to-consumer, and the wild story behind his Wagyu hot dogs being ranked #1 in the world. We cover the tough realities of running an ag-based business, the highs that make it worth it, and how those experiences led to the launch of his newest venture: Valor Provisions. Plus, our Made in America spotlight shines on Macks Belts—handcrafted, American-made belts built for hardworking folks. Don't miss this blend of military discipline, ranching resilience, and entrepreneurial fire. Follow KC Cattle Company on social media: https://www.instagram.com/kccattlecompany/?hl=en  Check out Valor Provisions: https://valorprovisions.us/  Made in America Feature: https://macksbelts.com/  Agzaga is the official sponsor of Talk Dirt to Me! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TALKDIRT to get 10% off your order! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com  If you enjoy this episode then please leave us a review and share this episode with your friends! Follow us on social media: Talk Dirt to Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/  Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow 

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis clears up common myths about livestock emissions and explains what methane really means for climate change. He walks through the science behind greenhouse gases, breaks down how methane is different from CO₂, and shares how policies—like California's incentive-based approach—are making a real impact. Find out how farmers can lead the way on climate solutions. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!Meet the guest:Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a Professor and Air Quality Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis, and Director of the CLEAR Center. He holds an M.S. in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Leipzig and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. His research focuses on air emissions from livestock and their environmental and societal impacts.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedInWhat you will learn:(00:00) Introduction(05:06) Methane vs CO₂(09:00) Methane life cycle(11:12) Livestock vs transportation(22:12) Global policy models(33:26) Feed additives potential(40:17) Tech in livestock systems(50:20) Closing thoughtsDiscover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at ⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mutian Niu, Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, explains exhalomics, an approach for assessing rumen fermentation by analyzing volatile organic compounds in cattle breath. He discusses how this technique can provide valuable insights into rumen function and help improve cattle health monitoring, with potential applications in managing methane emissions and optimizing dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!"We're using exhalomics to study the volatile compounds in cattle breath, which provides new insights into ruminant metabolism and health monitoring."Meet the guest: Dr. Mutian Niu is an Assistant Professor of Animal Nutrition at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in ruminant nutrition and precision livestock farming. He holds a Master's in Animal Science from Penn State University and a Master's in Statistics, along with a Ph.D. in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis. His research integrates data science to enhance sustainability in dairy farming, focusing on methane reduction and efficient nutrient utilization.Click here to read the full research articles:Exhalomics as a noninvasive method for assessing rumen fermentation in dairy cows: Can exhaled-breath metabolomics replace rumen sampling?Exhaled volatile fatty acids, ruminal methane emission, and their diurnal patterns in lactating dairy cowsWhat will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:33) Introduction(01:28) What is exhalomics?(03:04) Why study exhalomics?(05:28) Research discoveries(06:55) Rumen fermentation analysis(09:21) Future of exhalomics(12:29) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Afimilk- Kemin- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro- Volac

What does it take to build a thriving farm business while raising a family and stewarding the land for the next generation? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kyle Becker, owner of Becker Farms in Moorland, Indiana. Since 2007, Kyle and his wife, Emily, have grown their farm from a small freezer beef operation into a diversified livestock farm offering beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, and local milk. In addition to running the farm, Kyle works as a food animal veterinarian, serving dairy and beef farms across Indiana and Ohio. With a deep focus on soil health, responsible stewardship, and producing nutrient-dense food, the Beckers are committed to providing safe, high-quality products to their community. Tune in to hear how Kyle balances farming, veterinary work, and family life — and why soil health is at the root of it all.   In This Episode, You'll Hear:  Farm beginnings: Kyle shares the story behind Becker Farms and their mission to raise safe, healthy meats [1:32] Land and livestock: How they manage their acreage and raise multiple animal proteins [11:50] USDA challenges: Kyle's perspective on the regulatory hurdles farmers face [18:53] Indiana regulations: The specific rules that impact their farm operations [27:52] Bird flu impacts: How Becker Farms navigated the challenges of avian influenza outbreaks [28:38] Turkey production: What raising and marketing turkeys looks like on their farm [36:34] Marketing strategies: How Becker Farms connects with customers through farmers markets and online sales [39:56] Words of wisdom: Kyle's advice for beginning farmers and lessons learned along the way [49:53] Don't miss this episode if you're curious about building a diversified livestock operation and creating a meaningful connection with your community through high-quality, local food! Connect with Becker Farms:

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Sabine Mann, Cornell University; Dr. Will Mustas, Progressive Dairy Solutions; Dr. Don Niles, Dairy Dreams LLC; and Joey Airosa, Airosa Dairy Farms, introduce themselves. (0:48)Dr. Mann outlines the high points of her presentation. Giving an adequate amount of high-quality colostrum quickly after birth is essential to equip the calf with the best chances to stay healthy. Colostrum is more than a solution of water and immunoglobulins, and we are continuing to learn more about other nutrients and growth factors that colostrum contains. (12:03)Dr. Niles and Mr. Airosa talk about colostrum and maternity protocols on their dairies. Each has dedicated maternity staff in charge of postnatal calf care. Don mentions they often have public tours of their dairy and shares some anecdotes. Joey's maternity staff try to get colostrum in calves within 30 minutes of birth and have worked out a good communication system to ensure seamless calf care when shift changes occur. (13:57)Dr. Mann emphasizes the timing of colostrum delivery is critical. But what about the amount? Should every calf get four liters? Joey notes they bottle feed and have settled on three quarts for Holstein calves and two quarts for Jersey calves. Sabine says research backs that up - calves will not voluntarily drink much more than 3-3.5 liters. Using esophageal feeders to give four liters could be overfeeding in some cases, which could cause slower emptying of the stomach and thus slower arrival and uptake of immunoglobulins at the small intestine. The four liter recommendation came from the idea that good quality colostrum probably had about 50 grams per liter of IgG, and at that time, we wanted to get 200 grams into the calf. Perhaps making a sheet with recommended amounts based on calf weights could be helpful for maternity staff.  Dr. Mann also clarifies that the 50 grams per liter of IgG is not really good quality colostrum. Most herds average about 90-100 grams per liter of IgG in colostrum. She recommends every farm find out how good their colostrum is and optimize feeding amounts from there. (22:45)Dr. Mann notes the importance of making sure dry cows are not deficient in protein supply and ensuring the dry period is long enough to create high-quality colostrum. While it's commonly thought older cows have better colostrum than young cows, she underlines again the importance of measuring colostrum quality to know for sure. She also highly recommends measuring colostrum quality from individual cows before pooling so that poor colostrum does not dilute good colostrum. (31:04)Dr. Mustas shares some of the challenges he's seeing on dairies where he consults. What can we do to control the bacteriological quality of colostrum? He notes there's no reason we can't get very low bacteria counts pre-pasteurization. Making sure maternity areas are clean and sanitary, udders are prepped very well, and harvesting equipment is not neglected are all great strategies. (35:53)Dr. Mann talks about individual cow variation in colostrum production and some factors that might influence including placental interactions, hormones, and genetics. (38:04)Scott and Sabine discuss some of the research around supplementing with choline during the dry period and subsequent colostrum production. (41:28)Dr. Niles comments that pasteurization of colostrum has been one of the most exciting technologies to come along. On his farm, the pasteurizer has given them much more control over colostrum quality and delivery time. Dr. Mann agrees storage of colostrum has given dairies the ability to be strategic about how they use colostrum, what colostrum they use, and to also plan for seasonal colostrum shortages. She agrees with Dr. Mustas that clean colostrum harvesting equipment is key to low bacterial counts. (44:13)Dr. Mustas talks about how the beef-on-dairy phenomenon has altered colostrum protocols. Calf ranches are giving deductions for poor colostrum scores when calves are received. Some operations even offer premiums or discounts on daily yardage depending on individual calf colostrum scores. (50:21)Joey, Don, and Sabine comment on the importance of finding the right people to work in maternity and instilling the idea that taking care of cows and calves is both a great responsibility and a great honor. (52:56)The panel wraps up with their take-home thoughts. (58:31)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Welcome!  (oops again on the music - my apologies!)The concept of "Sentience" seems simplistic - animals have emotions. Now what?Why is it important to us, as pet parents, dog professionals, and animal experts, to ensure dogs are treated as sentient beings?How do we employ strategies that allow dogs to mentally and emotionally flourish?Are choice, options, and canine enrichment enough?Be Part of the Solution!JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR SENTIENCE FOR ALL ANIMALS#mydogfight Simply add this hashtag to all your posts and shares!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------STAY UPDATED ON UPCOMING EVENTS- I am speaking at a TEDX Talk on May 17th, 2025 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (recording available)- I am presenting at the International Anthrozoology Conference mid-June, 2025 at the University of Saskatoon- I am speaking at the PHAIR Animal Welfare Conference at the University of Edinburgh, July 2-5, 2025.  Please support the posts on these events to help spread awareness on the need for advancements in animal welfare (yes- that is sentience!) Sign up to our email list.  www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com to stay updated on:-NEW COURSES -SPECIALS, SALES, AND REDUCED PRICES-FREE WEBINARS             - Upcoming webinar:  Sleep in Adolescent Dogs Affecting Behavior.  Hosted by Dr. Alexandra Angelova.  Sign up here: Sleep in Adolescent Dogs WebinarFind all the episodes on Feedspot, where Dog Training DisrUPted is rated in the top 5 shows in the dog category in Canada: https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_dog_podcasts/To become a certified Canine CBT Psychotherapist, and for courses on related topics, please visit the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy. www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.comBecome a Certified Canine Behaviorist and Dog TrainerMy Linktree with all my media, presentations, shows, articlesBillie Groom - UPWARD Dogology | Instagram, Facebook | LinktreeHere is the link to the recent article in Psychology Today Mag by Marc Bekoff on Canine CBTDog Training: Perception, Cognition, and Emotions | Psychology TodayBuy My Book! Winner of the 2019 American Best Book Fest Award (pets/narrative/non-fiction)The Art of Urban People With Adopted and Rescued Dogs Methodology: Rescued Dogs: The Misunderstood Breed: Groom, Billie: 9781525547287: Books - Amazon.ca

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada. Gregg Doud, National Milk Producers Federation, begins with an overview of his talk regarding recent and ongoing investments in the dairy industry. Dan Siemers, Siemers Holsteins, notes they were able to build a new dairy and find a new milk market because Agropur built a new plant in their area. Corey Geiger, CoBank, describes that the US is approaching $9 billion of new investment in dairy plants coming online through 2027, over half of that in cheese. High-quality whey protein isolates are in equal demand as cheese, so that has been a large part of the investment as well. He mentions investment in class one beverage milk and extended shelf life, as well as growth in yogurt and Greek yogurt. The panel also discusses milk in schools.  (1:35)Corey talks about the generational change on dairy farms regarding components. Dan mentions that in one generation, you can increase the fat percentage by 0.4 using bulls available today. The focus on pounds of fat and protein plus health traits has resulted in somewhat less milk. Dan feels that the industry needs to focus a bit more on pounds of milk as a carrier to get protein back in the business. Some plants indicate there might almost be too much fat, so a focus on protein pounds may be in order. (11:03)Corey states that 92% of dairy farmers get paid on multiple component pricing, and 90% of that milk check is butter fat and protein. While some cheese plants don't quite need all the butter fat that's coming from dairy farms, it's important to note that we are still not filling our butter fat needs domestically. There are definitely opportunities in the butter sector. The panel discusses some shuffling in domestic processing might also be needed to better use the sweet cream that's available. (13:01)Scott asks about export markets in developing countries. Gregg mentions that many Central American dairy products contain vegetable oil, so there is a lot of potential there. Corey agrees and states there is also similar potential in the Middle East and North Africa. He also notes that lack of refrigeration is still an issue in some parts of the world, so shelf-stable products are critical. Gregg mentions that drinkable yogurts are in demand in Latin America. (18:29)The panel dives into the way beef on dairy has changed the industry. Dan notes the baby calf market has been a huge profit center, where the dairy can essentially break even and the calves provide the profit. This may be creating a challenge where a lot of dairies aren't creating enough replacement dairy heifers. (23:16)Data and how we use it is the next topic the group discusses. Gregg shares a story of an MIT grad who is developing an artificial intelligence algorithm to combine cow genetics with different diet ingredients and feed additives to decrease methane production while improving cow productivity. (28:49)The panelists close out the episode with their take-home messages. Corey gives listeners a look at the impact of the domestic dairy market. Dan shares the sustainability story and climate impact of the dairy industry will continue to be important. Gregg is excited about new technologies, but asks for assistance in working with the federal government to get those technologies approved at the speed of commerce. The panel also discusses the impacts of tariffs on agriculture and how dairy farmers need to be communicating with their members of Congress. (32:56)Please reach out to your Congress members. Start the conversation, and  help them understand!Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Chance Williams from Wayne-Sanderson Farms shares a practical look into how integrators conduct nutrition research and apply findings to real-world production. He discusses mini pen trials, research collaborations, and decision-making frameworks that drive nutritional strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!"The mini pens are within the same production environment as the birds in that house, not isolated like a typical research barn."Meet the guest: Dr. Chance Williams earned his Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition and M.S. in Beef Reproductive Physiology from the University of Arkansas, after completing his B.S. in Animal Science at Texas Tech University. As Sr. Nutritional Services Director at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, he brings nearly a decade of practical nutrition experience.What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:25) Introduction(02:30) Dr. Williams' career path(05:46) Mini pen trials(08:33) Academic partnerships(10:05) Internal research structure(12:58) Nutrition challenges(16:05) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Kerry- Anitox- BASF- Poultry Science Association- Barentz- Zinpro

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. Panelists Dr. John Goeser or Rock River Laboratory, Inc.; Dr. Bob Kozlowski, PAS of Dairy NExT, LLC and Dr. Tom Overton of Cornell University introduce themselves and give an overview of their backgrounds. (0:10)Dr. Goeser begins with three different ways to define forage quality: energetic potential, particle size as an interaction factor, and anti-nutritional components. He asks Dr. Kozlowski if these are the hot topics for his consulting clients. (6:53)When evaluating the energy potential in feed, Dr. Goeser states there's nothing new as far as measuring the nutrient content of feeds, but capturing the nutrient digestion potential in fiber, starch, and fatty acids is an area where we could stand to make sizable strides. We've been studying fiber and starch digestion for more than 50 years, and they're still really hard to measure because nutrient digestion potential is not linear. In the laboratory, ruminal fiber digestion is measured at many different time points to create curves, but if we want to get a good handle on the energy potential in feeds, we need to take a total digestible nutrients approach.  (9:31)Dr. Goeser feels there are more similarities between laboratories in quantifying fiber digestion potential, but there is little agreement among labs for starch digestion. Research shows that seven hour starch digestion is dramatically affected by laboratory technique and starch digestion curves also vary widely among labs. Dr. Overton commends the lab for diligently working to understand these dynamics. (14:31)From a fiber standpoint, Dr. Kozlowsk states that uNDF has probably been one of the most significant improvements in the tools he has to work with. He gives an example of cows on a 45% forage diet in the Southeast and cows on a 60% forage diet in the Northeast, both with similar uNDF concentrations. Those two groups of cows perform very similarly in terms of volume, fat and protein. (18:43)Dr. Overton asks both guests for their take on feed hygiene. Dr. Goeser feels that there is at least 10 times more to learn about feed hygiene compared to fiber and starch digestibility. Merging veterinary diagnostics with commercial nutrition laboratory work shows promise for solving undesirable mold, yeast, mycotoxin and bacteria issues in feeds. In case studies, he states there is never just one issue at play; there are two or three that may have negative associative effects with one another. Dr. Kozlowski has been seeing varietal-dependent corn silage DON toxin levels in the last few years. Dairies are now looking at all aspects of the agronomy program in addition to all the other assessments of NDF digestibility and starch. (20:33)Dr. Goeser goes on to describe some work on large dairies where they're finding hidden nutrient variation and starch and protein flux that happens within a 1-2 week period that we aren't able to capture with our current sampling techniques. For dairies feeding 2,000-15,000 cows, a diet formulation is on point today, but within that 1-2 week period at the volume of feed they're going through, the diet is now out of spec. However, it's not so out of line that the cows are giving feedback in terms of components or deviation in production or intake. (30:08)On the cow side, new technologies like SCR are allowing insights into rumination dynamics, which can be applied to feed formulation. Some silage choppers now have NIR units measuring silage quality during harvest. The panelists discuss what other technologies might be on the horizon, including on-farm NIR units on front-end loaders or mixer trucks. Dr. Goeser mentions some of the challenges with these technologies, including feed moisture levels interfering with equipment and lack of trust in technologies. (34:21)The panelists close out the episode with their take-home messages. (42:03)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Melina Bonato, Global Technical and R&D Manager at ICC Animal Nutrition, shares her expertise on the evolving role of yeast-based products in ruminant nutrition. She shares insights on how yeast products impact rumen health, immune system function, and animal performance. Learn about the different sources of yeast, their benefits, and how they contribute to improved dairy cattle production. Listen now on all major platforms!"Fermentation processes impact the yeast's components and their benefits in animal diets."Meet the guest: Dr. Melina Bonato is the Global Technical and R&D Manager at ICC Animal Nutrition. With over 12 years of experience at ICC, she has played a pivotal role in advancing research and development, focusing on yeast-based products for animal nutrition. Dr. Bonato holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, where she also completed her Master's and Bachelor's degrees. She has published 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals, five book chapters, and several abstracts and technical magazine articles.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love:Dr. Michael Ballou: Rumen Health Revelations | Ep. 77Dr. José Santos: Transition Cow Health | Ep. 128Dr. Phil Cardoso: Fiber & Energy Balance | Ep. 135What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:30) Introduction(02:36) Guest background(04:50) Yeast-based product evolution(08:04) Different yeast sources(12:12) Ethanol vs. sugarcane fermentation(14:15) Gut health and immune support(22:24) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: ICC* Adisseo* Priority IAC- Protekta- Natural Biologics- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- AGRI-TRAC- AHV- Volac- SmaXtec- Scoular

As we celebrate Earth Day this month, we're bringing a special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast. In this conversation with Dr. Robin White from Virginia Tech, she explores the complex intersection of dairy cattle production and climate change. Dr. White discusses the industry's contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, strategies to reduce environmental impact, and the irreplaceable nutrients provided by dairy products, exploring both challenges and opportunities. Tune in to this episode on all major platforms."Eliminating animal agriculture would only reduce agricultural emissions by about 30%, as humans would still require agricultural land for food production."Meet the guest: Dr. Robin White is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech with expertise in sustainable livestock systems. With a Ph.D. and B.S. in Animal Sciences from Washington State University, her research focuses on greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient efficiency, and sustainable strategies for ruminants. What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:54) Introduction(02:30) Climate change in dairy(02:66) Minimizing environmental impact(04:15) Impact of eliminating cows(05:37) Key nutrients in dairy(06:41) Byproducts in ruminant diets(09:07) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Kemin- Virtus Nutrition- Volac- Afimilk- Zinpro

About the Guest Jennifer Patterson obtained her MSc in Animal Science from the University of Alberta where she is currently a Research Associate and the Swine Industry Liaison for Livestock Gentec. This involves developing research projects that address current industry challenges and providing continued support to producers to implement results at the farm level, putting […]

Dr. Drackley begins with an overview of his presentation at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, focusing on the NASEM requirements for pre-weaned calves. He mentions some differences in energy and protein requirement calculations compared to the NRC system, as well as increased vitamin E recommendations and a more biologically based factorial approach to calculating mineral requirements. (5:59)Dr. Overton notes that milk replacements can be formulated differently to account for changes in mineral or vitamin requirements. In herds that feed whole milk, is there any reason to think about supplementing those calves? Dr. Drackley suggests that Mother Nature may have been smarter than us all along, as the composition of whole milk matches very well with the nutrient requirements of calves. (9:43)Dr. Lundquist asked what the impetus was for the increase in vitamin E requirements. Dr. Drackley refers to a series of studies examining the role of vitamin E in immune function that have shown the previous requirements were too low to achieve optimum health outcomes. Many dairies give a vitamin injection after birth to help boost young calves. (11:45)The panel discusses improved colostrum feeding efforts and the variation in successful passive immunity that still exists in the industry. (13:51)Scott asks Dr. Overton what gaps he sees in calf nutrition from his Extension specialist perspective, and he suggests that best management for weaning is still a big topic. Dr. Drackley agrees this is an area that needs some attention. He feels the industry is doing better on the baby calf side by feeding more milk, but then that almost makes weaning more difficult because people are not changing their mindset about how to step calves down from milk or what age to wean calves. (16:39)For people feeding more milk than the traditional 1.25 lbs of solids, Dr. Drackley recommends extending weaning time to eight instead of six weeks. He also recommends at least one step down in the amount of milk, which could be a week of feeding just once a day. Calf starter formulation and quality are also critical. Research shows that providing a small amount of forage, preferably grass hay or straw, before weaning is beneficial for buffering and rumination. (18:47)Dr. Overton asks about the research gap in our understanding of transition cow management and how that impacts the calf in utero and after birth. The panel discusses heat stress and season of birth impacts on calf growth and first lactation performance. (26:08)The panel wraps up with their take-home messages. Discussion includes pelleted versus texturized starters, sugars in a starter to promote rumen development, the value of increasing the quality and quantity of calf nutrition, the thermoneutral zone in baby calves, and outsourcing calf raising.  (33:10)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Why are bird eggs blue, brown, or speckled? In this episode, Mrs. Cindy shares surprising reasons behind bird egg colors and how they help protect baby birds. Get ready for fun and egg-ucational science! In the companion Egg-Laying Animals Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, learn about the variety of egg-laying animals. I bet you'll be surprised at some of these critters and how their eggs are unique! In your nature journal, you'll create an egg-tastic chart! Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Egg-Laying Animals show notes page to see a killdeer nest full of speckled eggs! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Recently, a barn mate asked me to help with her horse who had lost weight en route to a competition after a 14-hour trailer ride. Since many horses migrate for competition and other reasons, I wanted to discuss why a horse might lose weight on a long trip and what nutritional support helps support recovery. Weight loss is not the only physiological change that can occur during transport, but it is the focus of this episode. Note that any signs of distress should always be discussed with a veterinarian immediately. A nutritionist can help you get the diet on track for recovery of weight loss. References for this episode:Marlin & Nankervis, 2002. Transport. In: Equine Exercise Physiology. pp. 276-284. Blackwell Science. Oxford, UK.C. L. Stull and Rodiek, A. V. 2000. Physiological responses of horses to 24 hours of transportation using a commercial van during summer conditions. Journal of Animal Science, 78(6): Pages 1458–1466, https://doi.org/10.2527/2000.7861458x

Reagan is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a degree in sociology with a double minor in biology and chemistry. During her four years at UNCG, she rediscovered her passion for equestrian sports after a seven-year hiatus, joining the UNC-Greensboro Equestrian Team and competing under the IHSA. In her final year, she served as co-captain, leading the team through the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene.     Winter is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, focusing her research on pulmonary function. Alongside her academic pursuits, she owns and operates Winters Riding Academy LLC, where she trains clients and their horses in hunter/jumper riding. Her passion for horses was sparked at a young age by her mother and further nurtured through her studies in Animal Science at Iowa State University. During her time at Iowa State, she was an active member of the equestrian club and gained valuable experience working at the Iowa State horse barns. Balancing her scientific career with her equestrian pursuits is a challenge she embraces with dedication and enthusiasm. Whether in the lab or at the barn, she brings the same level of commitment and passion to all her endeavors.

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Elliot Neto from Kemin Industries, discusses the critical role of amino acids in dairy nutrition, emphasizing the importance of optimizing amino acid balancing and rumen-protected amino acids through advanced product technology. He explains how particle size, nutrient delivery, and bioavailability impact milk production, feed efficiency, and sustainability. Learn how innovative solutions can fine-tune amino acid delivery for maximum success in your dairy operation. Tune in now on all major platforms!"The combination of particle size and retention time is crucial to ensure the product bypasses the rumen and releases the amino acid at exactly the right location."Meet the guest: Dr. Elliot Neto is the Ruminant Technical Services Manager at Kemin Industries, bringing decades of expertise in dairy cattle nutrition. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science from Newcastle University, where he also completed postdoctoral research in Animal Nutrition. With over 20 years of global experience in the feed and animal health industries, Dr. Neto has held key technical and research roles across Europe, North America, and Brazil.Click here to read the full research article!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:17) Introduction(02:29) Amino acids(05:22) Feed efficiency(06:34) Rumen transit time(08:40) Effective amino acids(10:47) Nitrogen excretion(14:15) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Kemin- Virtus Nutrition- Volac- Zinpro

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Shijina Rajan, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Auburn University, explores the role of essential oils in post-harvest food safety. She breaks down their antimicrobial effects against Salmonella, their impact on meat quality, and the challenges of integrating them into commercial poultry processing. Listen now on all major platforms!"We tested pimenta essential oil for its effectiveness in reducing Salmonella in poultry processing, achieving significant pathogen reduction."Meet the guest: Dr. Shijina Raj Manjankattil Rajan holds a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences and an M.S. in Poultry Science from the University of Minnesota, along with a DVM from Kerala Veterinary & Animal Science University. Currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Auburn University's Department of Poultry Science, her research focuses on food safety and antimicrobial applications in poultry. Click here to read the full research article!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:31) Introduction (03:01) Essential oils overview (05:14) Antimicrobial properties (06:31) Salmonella reduction research (06:48) Application in poultry processing (10:16) Impact on meat quality (14:28) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kerry- Barentz- Anitox- BASF- Poultry Science Association- Kemin- Zinpro

Dr. Hansen's lab conducted several in vitro experiments where choline chloride was supplemented to beef embryo culture media for the first seven days of embryonic development. Calves resulting from the choline-supplemented embryos were consistently 17-20 kilograms heavier at weaning. In the feeding experiment presented at the Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, Dr. Sagheer fed rumen-protected choline to beef cows one day before AI through seven days post-AI, spanning ovulation, fertilization, and the first seven days of embryo development. In contrast to the in vitro studies, calves born to cows supplemented with choline during the peri-conception period were lighter at weaning than control calves. The panel discusses potential mechanisms of action for these results, including choline's role as a methyl donor potentially impacting the epigenetic programming of the embryo.

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Marie Gallissot from EW Nutrition explores the impact of mycotoxins on poultry health and performance. She debunks the myth that poultry isn't sensitive to mycotoxins, discusses key risk factors in grain sourcing, and highlights the challenges of defining safety thresholds. Learn how climate change is shifting mycotoxin risks and what strategies can help mitigate contamination. Listen now on all major platforms!"Poultry may require higher contamination levels to show clinical signs, but even low doses of mycotoxins can weaken gut health and immunity."Meet the guest: Marie Gallissot is the Global Manager Feed Quality Solutions at EW Nutrition, specializing in mycotoxin risk management and feed additives. With a Master's degree in Animal Science from Université de Tours, she has 15 years of experience helping feed producers mitigate mycotoxin risks and optimize poultry performance. Her work includes international collaborations with leading research institutions.What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:48) Introduction (03:08) Mycotoxin risks in poultry (04:28) Mycotoxins and gut health (06:04) Defining safety thresholds (09:48) Climate change and mycotoxins (11:06) Prevention and mitigation strategies (14:14) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kerry- Zinpro- Barentz- Anitox- BASF- Poultry Science Association

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. Dr. DeVries' research focuses on farm-level decisions and modeling. The University of Florida dairy has implemented the use of beef semen. Dr. DeVries describes some of the factors that go into a partial budget for this system as well as details some of the factors involved in implementing beef on dairy. The UF dairy genomically tests all their cows and the panel discusses some differences in beef and dairy selection based on genomics. (5:58)Dr. Felix asks how the beef sires are selected for the UF dairy. Calving ease and fertility are key, as well as low cost. Dr. Johnson asks if spending a little more on beef semen might pay off in the longer term regarding beef quality. The panel agrees that in the current market, dairy producers are getting $800-$1000 for a day-old calf regardless of the beef sire, so perhaps beef sire selection has not been a major focus. (15:07)Dr. DeVries describes some of the data he evaluates when deciding how many cows to breed with sexed dairy semen. Given the current beef prices, heifer retention has not been as high in either the beef or dairy sector as previously predicted. (19:22)The panel discusses the importance of cow longevity in the dairy sector. Dr. DeVries explains the pros and cons of keeping cows in the milking herd longer. Dr. Nelson reminds listeners of the current cull cow market and how that also plays a role in decision-making for dairy and beef producers. (24:16)Dr. Nelson describes the heifer development program for the UF dairy. Week-old heifer calves are shipped to Kansas for development and return to UF at about 200-220 days pregnant. This approach is very common in the southeast. Many of the beef on dairy calves will also be shipped to calf ranches out of state. (30:59)Dr. DeVries' model concluded that switching from conventional dairy to beef-on-dairy resulted in about $150 advantage per cow per year. On top of that was another $50 per cow because of the switch to sourcing your heifers from your best cows. (34:13)The panel discusses the idea of transferring beef embryos into dairy cows. Could there be a day when this approach creates beef calves less expensively than the cow/calf sector can? They also delve into whether there will be any long-term negative impacts of breeding dairy cows with beef semen. (38:44)Dr. Johnson mentions another paradigm shift of the beef-on-dairy system is feeding dairy-influenced heifers in the feedlot, which has not happened before. Technologies used to promote growth in the feed yard can induce spontaneous lactation in some of these heifers. Milk is considered an adulterant in the packing plant and requires trimming if it splashes on a carcass. Dr. Nelson suggests that until there is a discount for heifer beef on dairy calves, there won't be a shift to using sexed male semen to create predominantly beef on dairy steers. (48:33)The panel wraps up with their take-home thoughts. (57:46)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Female lab mice have been bred to be passive and breed with ease. But, in the wild they're feisty and even pugnacious.How much of our biological understanding of the world is based on misogyny?Featuring:Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal.Professor Arthur Georges, University of Canberra.Professor Catherine Dulac, Harvard University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering:  Ann-Marie Debettencor.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in July 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Phil Cardoso, from the University of Illinois, explores strategies for optimizing starch in dairy cow diets while addressing key nutritional challenges. The discussion highlights the role of yeast additives in improving fiber digestibility, feed efficiency, and rumen health. By balancing starch levels, Dr. Cardoso presents practical approaches to enhance milk production and overall herd profitability. Listen now on your favorite platform!"Yeast additives significantly improved fiber digestibility and rumen health in high-starch diets.”Meet the guest: Dr. Phil Cardoso is a professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He specializes in dairy nutrition and reproduction, combining research and outreach programs to advance the dairy industry. Dr. Cardoso earned his PhD in ruminant nutrition from the University of Illinois and holds a Master's and DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:30) Introduction(10:38) Starch & energy(15:32) High-starch feeding(17:30) Efficiency vs. profitability(21:27) Yeast additives benefits(31:20) Choosing yeast additives(42:33) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: ICC* Adisseo- Natural Biologics- Scoular- Priority IAC- Protekta- Volac- Acepsis- Trouw Nutrition- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- AGRI-TRAC- AHV- SmaXtec

In this special International Women's Day episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Shijina Rajan explores the role of caprylic acid as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production. She discusses its antimicrobial properties, its impact on Salmonella reduction, and its application in pre and post-harvest interventions. Listen now on all major platforms!"Caprylic acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, has strong antimicrobial properties that could help reduce foodborne pathogens in poultry production."Meet the guest: Dr. Shijina Raj Manjankattil Rajan is a postdoctoral research fellow at Auburn University's Department of Poultry Science. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Minnesota and a DVM from Kerala Veterinary & Animal Science University. She is a PSA member and her research focuses on antibiotic alternatives for poultry, targeting major foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter.Click here to read the full research article!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:05) Introduction(04:59) Caprylic acid explained(06:35) Pre-harvest studies(07:34) Impact on Salmonella reduction(09:51) Post-harvest applications(14:44) Future research focus(16:52) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kerry- Zinpro- Anitox- Poultry Science Association- BASF

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Steven Harnish from Central Manor Dairy discusses the innovations and strategies shaping the “dairy of the future.” Steven shares insights on improving labor efficiency, adopting cutting-edge technologies like the use of bolus, and addressing carbon footprint challenges. He shares practical advice for dairy producers facing industry challenges while building toward long-term sustainability. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!"Scaling technology like rumen boluses ensures no cow is left behind in monitoring health and productivity."Meet the guest: Steven Harnish, Partner at Central Manor Dairy LLC has over two decades of experience in dairy farming. With a Bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences from Penn State University, Steven oversees herd management and employee operations while leading sustainability efforts. What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:16) Introduction(03:49) Dairies of the future(08:08) Labor challenges(12:32) Carbon management(17:09) Technology in dairy farms(22:34) Bolus technology(28:10) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: SmaXtec* Adisseo- Natural Biologics- Scoular- Priority IAC- Protekta- Volac- ICC- Acepsis- Trouw Nutrition- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich

You may have heard the phrase "crocodile tears", but what does it mean? In this episode, discover whether crocodiles shed real tears, and if so, why.

In this episode of the Making Ripples podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Samantha Rubio, a dedicated horse trainer specialising in positive reinforcement and equine rehabilitation. Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, Samantha works at a cutting-edge equine behavior and sports medicine rehabilitation facility while also running her own training business. Samantha shares her inspiring journey from a childhood passion for animals to earning her degree in Animal Science and Neurobiology at Cornell University. She opens up about her experience bridging the gap between academic research and real-life training, advocating for lifelong learning, and fostering an inclusive approach that values both human and non-human learners. Listeners will gain insight into Samantha's work at Misty Step Stables, where she collaborates with veterinarians and specialists to support horses in medical and behavioral rehabilitation. She discusses the importance of recognising pain in horses - challenging outdated industry norms that often dismiss behavioral indicators of discomfort. Through compelling case studies, including a transformative experience with a horse named Rum, Samantha highlights the power of listening to both horses and their owners, reinforcing the idea that effective training is built on trust, science, and compassion. Whether you're an equestrian, animal behavior enthusiast, or trainer looking to deepen your understanding of positive reinforcement in the horse world, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical takeaways. Links Samantha's workplace >>> https://mistystepstables.com/ Samantha's business on Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/AhimsaEquineLLC Samantha on Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/samantha.rubio.5074  

Red meat yield has always mattered to the beef industry, but there have only been mediocre tools available to quantify it. This episode covers the surprising history of the subjective measurement before switching to new technology that could completely modernize the system for the better. Every breeder knows the way to drive directional change is to first start with good data, and that's the goal of a group of ranchers, feeders, packers and academia who are all working together to tackle this issue.  HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully GUESTS:  Blake Foraker, Texas Tech University, and John Stika, Certified Angus Beef Blake Foraker is an assistant professor of meat science at Texas Tech University. He grew up in Burrton, Kan., and earned his bachelor's degree in animal science from Kansas State University and his master's degree in meat science from Colorado State. He holds a meat science doctorate from Texas Tech and worked at Washington State University before returning to his alma matter. Foraker is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association, and the American Meat Science Association. He has coached and participated on many nationally acclaimed meats and livestock judging teams and was named Texas Tech's Department of Animal & Food Science Outstanding Graduate Student in 2022. John Stika, president, Certified Angus Beef (CAB), leads the American Angus Association's consumer-facing subsidiary. The brand is owned by registered Angus breeders and operates to create pull-through demand for Angus cattle. CAB has grown to more than 1.234 billion pounds of sales annually under his leadership. Stika joined CAB in 1999 in what was the feeder-packer relations division, before working in business development and assuming the role of president in 2006. He's a Kansas farm boy, with degrees in animal and meat science from Kansas State University and the University of Kentucky.  Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.

Support your health journey with our private practice! Explore comprehensive lab testing, functional assessments, and expert guidance for your wellness journey. Find exclusive offers for podcast listeners at nutritionwithjudy.com/podcast. _____Dr. Frank and I dive into the myths surrounding animal agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions, and whether grass-finished beef is truly better for the environment. We also explore how supporting farmers is crucial for sustaining our food system as the global population continues to grow. Make sure to listen to the full interview to learn more.Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. As the director of the CLEAR Center, his research focuses on the environmental impact of livestock and how to improve agricultural sustainability. Through his work, Dr. Mitloehner aims to provide science-based insights into reducing emissions while maintaining food security.We discuss the following:All about Dr. Frank MitloehnerGreenhouse gas emissions from livestockClimate change vs. agricultureGrass-finished vs. corn-finished beefThoughts on feedlot meatHow farmers optimize animal health and nutritionRuminant animals in global food productionWhy most people don't remain vegan long-termFood waste and how it impacts sustainabilityClimate change and the role of fossil fuelsWhere to find Dr. Frank Mitloehner_____EPISODE RESOURCESWebsiteX Instagram LinkedIn_____WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 

This Real Science Exchange podcast episode was recorded during a webinar from Balchem's Real Science Lecture Series. You can find it at balchem.com/realscience. Dr. Santos begins with a timeline of events that occur during the cow's transition from the dry period to her exit from the fresh pen. He suggests that cows should be dried off at around 230 days of gestation, then moved to a closeup group at 250-255 days gestation which is around three to three-and-a-half weeks before calving. Dr. Santos recommends keeping multiparous cows separate from primiparous cows and feeding to minimize metabolic disorders in early lactation. After calving, cow health needs to be monitored for early detection and treatment of disease. In addition, diets that do not limit voluntary dry matter intake should be fed. During the early postpartum period, controlling excessive weight loss and lipid mobilization is the goal.  (00:27) What is the association between time spent in the closeup pen and disease? Research shows that around three to four weeks in the prepartum group is associated with the lowest risk of morbidity, maximum milk yield and highest pregnancy rates. How does a change in body condition during the first 65 days in milk impact cyclicity? How does 90-day milk yield impact cyclicity? Cows that lose one or more units of condition are less likely to be cyclic at the end of the voluntary waiting period. There is a small statically positive association between milk yield and cyclicity. Dr. Santos' first take-home message is to avoid excessive body condition loss after calving. Cows should lose no more than 0.5 body condition units from the week before calving to the first AI. This can be accomplished by minimizing over-conditioned cows at dry-off and reducing the risk of disease in early lactation.  (6:13) What about feed efficiency? Dr. Santos describes experiments comparing the 25% most efficient to the 25% least efficient cows. All cows produced the same amount of energy-corrected milk, but the most efficient cows ate four kilograms less feed each day. The risk of morbidity and the culling rate was the same for both groups, as was reproductive performance. Dr. Santos suggests we should not be afraid of selecting for feed efficiency while still optimizing intake in early lactation.  (18:23) Morbidity negatively impacts intake in early lactation. Around one-third of cows are affected by disease in the first three weeks of lactation and almost 80% of the first disease diagnoses occur during the first three weeks postpartum. The earlier in lactation disease occurs, the longer the legacy effects from that disease can impact cow health and performance. Dr. Santos describes an experiment in beef cattle evaluating how an inflammatory response impacts nutrient partitioning away from performance. Early lactation morbidity not only makes a cow not want to eat, it also may shift nutrients away from production toward survival, resulting in fewer nutrients available for milk production and reproduction. Dr. Santos describes a series of experiments evaluating the impact of early lactation disease diagnosis on reproductive performance. Dr. Santos' second take-home message is to stimulate dry matter intake and minimize disease in the early lactation period. (22:21) How can we formulate diets that will improve reproduction? First, we should formulate diets that reduce the risk of disease. Then we should incorporate nutrients that are known to improve reproduction in cows. Dr. Santos describes how supplementation with rumen-protected choline decreases triglyceride accumulation in the liver and improves milk yield. He also details the mechanisms of using acidogenic diets to reduce hypocalcemia. He recommends not using these diets for heifers and feeding them for around 21 days to cows rather than the entire dry period. Dr. Santos feels that forage quality has been neglected in the transition period and details how improved fiber digestibility during the transition period can have longer-term impacts. Lastly, he recommends feeding 1-1.5% supplemental fat in early lactation diets for improved reproduction and milk yield without negative impacts on body condition. In closing, Dr. Santos presents a summary of diet formulation recommendations for transition cows.  (34:13) Dr. Santos leads an engaged question-and-answer session with the webinar audience. (51:11) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.   If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt. 

In this episode, we honor and celebrate the remarkable career and contributions of Dr. Jim Drackley from the University of Illinois, a pioneer in dairy science and animal nutrition. Jim's work has reshaped our understanding of dairy cow health, metabolism and nutrition. Dr. Cardoso, Dr. Overton, and co-host Dr. Jeff Elliott are former coworkers or graduate students of Dr. Drackley's. (0:11)Dr. Drackley begins by telling the audience about his background and how he became a dairy scientist. He talks about several of his mentors during his schooling. (9:20)Speaking of mentors, Scott asks Dr. Elliot, Dr. Overton, and Dr. Cardoso to describe Dr. Drackley's mentorship of them during teaching, graduate school and beyond. They praise Jim's thoughtfulness and hands-off approach that taught them to think critically. (14:06)When it comes to major contributions to the industry, Dr. Drackley names two that he is most proud of: expanding the knowledge of controlled energy dry cow programs using straw and corn silage to help control energy intake and his work in baby calf nutrition, specifically feeding more milk on-farm to calves. Dr. Overton adds that a visionary paper Dr. Drackley wrote in the late 1990s where he referred to the transition period as the final frontier as another important contribution. Dr. Cardoso also emphasizes Dr. Drackley's excellent teaching skills as another achievement of note. (20:58)Dr. Drackley says the teaching part of the job was the part that scared him the most when he started. Graduate school offers little formal teaching training and experience so one learns on the job. Jim describes his teaching style as organized, and he liked teaching in an outline fashion, working from the main topic down through the details. He worked hard to get to know the students, learn their names as soon as possible, and be approachable and empathetic. Later in his career, he used a flipped classroom approach for a lactation biology course and enjoyed it. (28:45)The panel then reminisces about how much technology has changed from a teaching perspective as well as statistical analysis. Lecturing has moved from chalkboard to overhead projector to slide carousel to PowerPoint. Statistical analysis has moved from punch cards or sending data to a mainframe computer to performing real-time statistical analysis on your computer at your desk. (33:00)Jeff, Phil, and Tom share stories and memories of their time with Jim. (37:30)Scott asks Jim what challenges will need to be tackled in the future in the dairy industry. He lists environmental aspects (nitrogen, phosphorus, and greenhouse gases), increasing economic pressure on farms, and improving forage production and efficiency of nutrient use. Dr. Drackley's advice for young researchers is to carve out a niche for yourself. (47:40)Dr. Elliott, Dr. Overton, and Dr. Cardoso share some final thoughts paying tribute to Dr. Drackley and his accomplished career. (1:06:18)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Jason Rowntree is a professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University, where he has spent the last 16 years studying regenerative grazing systems and their impact on soil health, ecosystems, and beef nutrient density. Jason currently leads a $19 million research project across 60 U.S. ranches, using remote sensing and on-ground monitoring to measure carbon sequestration, water cycles, and biodiversity. His goal is to create economic incentives that support farmers and ranchers in adopting regenerative practices. In this discussion, John and Jason discuss: How nutrient density in beef can be significantly altered in the last 30–60 days of finishing Variations in nutrient profiles, with some "grass-fed" samples showing high omega-6 levels comparable to grain-fed beef. Unique markers that can authenticate truly grass-fed beef, offering the potential for more transparent labeling. Carbon sequestration through managed grazing How planting diverse pasture mixes creates greater nutrient density in beef About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.  AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA's science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Learn more about AEA's regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com