Podcasts about Animal science

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.

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! :)

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 Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Heidi Bissell, Chief Animal Nutritionist at Disney's Animal Kingdom, shares her expertise on creative ways to feed zoo and exotic animals. She explores how replicating natural behaviors, tackling the challenges of diverse diets, and focusing on sustainability can shape the future of pet nutrition. Don't miss this fascinating discussion packed with practical insights for the pet food industry. Listen now on all major platforms!"Zoo animals need diets tailored to their natural behaviors, ensuring they meet nutritional needs while maintaining their physical and mental well-being."Meet the guest: Dr. Heidi Bissell, Chief Animal Nutritionist at Disney Animal Kingdom, holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida. With over 25 years in zoo and wildlife nutrition, she has advanced animal health and welfare through innovative dietary strategies.What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:28) Introduction(08:13) Feeding exotic animals(12:28) Nutrition & natural behavior(19:58) Pet nutrition parallels(26:18) Diversity in diets(31:38) Nutrient needs(36:25) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- Corbion- EW Nutrition- ICC- Scoular- Biorigin- Symrise

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 episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, celebrating National Ag Day, Dr. William Brown, Assistant Professor at Kansas State University, explores the use of high-protein corn co-products in dairy calf starters. He discusses the challenges and potential benefits of incorporating these ingredients, including improved calf growth, digestibility, and cost efficiency. Tune in now on all major platforms!"We saw that calves on the high-protein corn product grew more and had greater average daily gain."Meet the guest: Dr. William Brown is an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University, specializing in dairy cattle nutrition. He holds a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, where he focused on improving nutritional strategies for dairy production. His research explores feed efficiency, growth performance, and the use of alternative feed ingredients in dairy systems.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:25) Introduction(03:25) Corn co-products for calf starters(05:01) High-protein corn co-product(07:20) Balancing amino acids(09:04) Study results(11:31) Cost-benefit analysis of co-products(13:55) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Virtus Nutrition- Volac- Evonik- Kemin

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  

Sam Mitchell run a successful podcast called Autism Rocks and Rolls. He has autism himself and his podcast has exploded and become very successful. He would like to be a guest on your podcast to spread the mission of his podcast and nonprofit. He is at 20.5K downloads. He has had some big names on his show: Armani Williams, first NASCAR driver open about having autism, and American Idol Rocker James Durbin who has autism and Tourette's. His biggest guest of all was Dr. Temple Grandin, professor in Animal Science at Colorado State University and autism activist. He had WWE legend Mick Foley on his show. He is also a motivational speaker and entrepreneur.autismrocksandrolls.comCody's content:https://linktr.ee/cjones803#podcast #purewisdompodcast #personalgrowth #motivation #mindset #facingfears #selfidentity #inspiration #selfimprovement #psychology #entrepreneurship #fitness #fitnessmotivation #business #career #dating #relationships #lifecoach #healthandwellness #workout #coachingDisclaimer: Any information discussed in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to act as a substitute for professional, medical, legal, educational, or financial advice. The following views and opinions are those of the individual and are not representative views or opinions of their company or organization. The views and opinions shared are intended only to inform, and discretion and professional assistance should be utilized when attempting any of the ideas discussed. Pure Wisdom Podcast, LLC, its host, its guest, or any company participating in advertising through this podcast is not responsible for comments generated by viewers which may be offensive or otherwise distasteful. Any content or conversation in this podcast is completely original and not inspired by any other platform or content creator. Any resemblance to another platform or content creator is purely coincidental and unintentional. No content or topics discussed in this podcast are intended to be offensive or hurtful. Pure Wisdom Podcast, LLC, its host, its guest, or any company participating in advertising through this podcast is not responsible for any misuse of this content.

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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 

Kallie Fell started her professional career as a scientist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center utilizing a Master of Science degree in Animal Sciences with an emphasis on Reproductive Physiology and Molecular Biology from Purdue University. While assisting in the investigation of endometriosis and pre-term birth, Kallie simultaneously pursued a degree in nursing with hopes of working with women as a perinatal nurse. After meeting Jennifer Lahl at a conference, Kallie became interested in the work of the Center for Bioethics and Culture (CBC) and started volunteering with the organization. Kallie is deeply passionate about women's health. She continues to work, as she has for the past six years, as a perinatal nurse and has worked with the CBC since 2018, first as a volunteer writer, then as our staff Research Associate, and now as the Executive Director. In 2021, Kallie co-directed the CBC's first documentary on “transgender medicine” titled Trans Mission: What's the Rush to Reassign Gender? In 2022 Kallie co-wrote and co-produced the CBC's latest film, The Detransition Diaries: Saving Our Sisters. Kallie also hosts the popular podcast Venus Rising and is the Program Director for the Paul Ramsey Institute. Her latest film, The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood is set for release in January 2024 as is her new book, co-authored with Jennifer Lahl, The Detransition Diaries.

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Ignacio Artavia, Global Marketing Manager for Ruminants at dsm-firmenich, explores the critical role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) in dairy cattle health. Unlike traditional vitamin D3, which requires metabolic conversion in the liver and kidneys before becoming bioavailable, 25OHD3 bypasses the first step, allowing for faster absorption and improved efficiency. Learn how this can enhance calcium metabolism, immune function, and milk production, helping dairy cows stay healthier and productive. Listen now on all major platforms!"Feeding 25-hydroxy D3 benefits dairy herds by improving health, enhancing calcium metabolism, and strengthening immunity—boosting milk yield."Meet the guest: Ignacio Artavia holds a Bachelor's degree in Agronomic Engineering from EARTH University in Costa Rica and a Master's in Animal Sciences with a specialization in Animal Nutrition from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. With a background in ruminant nutrition, he has worked extensively in dairy cattle health, focusing on mycotoxin risk management and vitamin supplementation. Currently serving as Global Marketing Manager for Ruminants at dsm-firmenich, Ignacio is dedicated to improving dairy farm sustainability and efficiency.What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:26) Introduction(03:42) Guest background(07:39) Why vitamin D matters(11:11) Sunlight vs. dietary vitamin D(19:16) Vitamin D conversion(22:50) Milk production and immunity(34:16) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: dsm-firmenich* Adisseo- Natural Biologics- Scoular- Priority IAC- Protekta- Volac- SmaXtec- ICC- Acepsis- Trouw Nutrition- Berg + Schmidt

Welcome!First off!  I apologize for the dead air space, I am using a different recording platform that apparently does not like my taste in music :-)  And, as you cat lovers can relate to, I had to attend to my cat's needs. :-) This episode explores the term "Treat Motivated" referencing common scientific studies to determine what this really means and if the focus on treat motivation means the study is missing some very important information about our dogs!Secondly, I use the example of a client of a student in the CCBT Diploma Program at the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy to discuss the challenges in using Conditioning Methods with dogs that are not "treat motivated"And, finally, is "treat motivated" an advantage when adopting a dog?Be sure to check out www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com for info!  Our students are making waves in the canine behavioral and welfare sectors!Thanks to the Jeff Mertick Band for the silent music :-) Find 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 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 of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Corinna Brock, PhD in Animal Nutrition, discusses fatty acid nutrition in dairy cows. She highlights the expanding role of fats in enhancing energy density, supporting metabolic health, and boosting fertility in high-producing cows. Dr. Brock also shares innovations in fat blends that improve productivity while addressing methane emissions. Listen on all major platforms!"Fats have different roles in cow metabolism, including milk fat increase, body maintenance, and immune support."Meet the guest: Dr. Corinna Brock earned her Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, where she researched the effects of green tea extract on dairy cow health during the peripartum period. She also holds a Master's in Animal Sciences and a Bachelor's in Nutritional Sciences from the same institution, focusing on feed additives and selenium nutrition. What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:36) Introduction(05:43) Role of dietary fats(09:00) Rumen protection mechanisms(12:14) Benefits of palmitic acid(16:49) Oleic acid advantages(21:44) Fat-feeding economics(28:29) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:Berg + Schmidt* Adisseo- Natural Biologics- Scoular- Priority IAC- dsm-firmenich- Protekta- Volac- SmaXtec- ICC- Acepsis- Trouw Nutrition

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.

My hope is that these journeys we share cause the person to take that next step. Whether that next step is buying a roll of poly braid and moving your cows twice if that's oh I need to try and do this for grass fed and go direct to consumer. Wherever you are, I'm hoping the journey helps you take that next step. And for that to happen, I can hear the same thing hundreds of times. But for some reason, that hundredth and first time, it's like,  why didn't I think of that?Cal's passion for agriculture was ignited at a young age, growing up on his parents' farm where he has fond memories of being surrounded by livestock. Since then, Cal's journey has been deeply rooted in agriculture, from obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science to managing his own livestock. Driven by his curiosity and commitment to regenerative farming practices, Cal started the Grazing Grass podcast as a way to connect with other like-minded grass farmers and learn from their experiences. His genuine interest in the subject matter and his firsthand knowledge of farming practices make him an engaging and knowledgeable host. With a wealth of personal experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of grass farming, Cal brings a unique perspective to the Grazing Grass podcast. His passion for sustainable farming practices shines through in every episode as he facilitates conversations, asks insightful questions, and encourages meaningful discussionswith fellow grass farmers.Grazing Grass Podcast Hedge Apple Farm FacebookONXHunt//888 app Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki Essentialism by Greg McKeown Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan More educational and transformational offerings fromJenn Colby Whole Human web site Choosing to FarmPatreon link Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I'm here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join ourPatreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!

Dr. Lisa Melling was raised in Chicago and Northern Illinois. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian, gaining experience working at a horse stable and having a number of childhood pets.She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1999, and her DVM from Tuskegee University in 2004. After graduation, she entered small animal practice in Michigan. In response to a large commercial pet food recall in 2007, she began prescribing fresh food nutrition and started her journey into Homeopathy. She was certified by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy in 2011 and was certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy by the Healing Oasis in 2019.She left traditional small animal practice in 2007 and started a house call practice in the Ann Arbor Michigan area emphasizing fresh food nutrition and natural healing. She has since relocated the practice to a brick and mortar location in Northern Michigan.In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Melling has been heavily involved in education of new Veterinary Homeopaths. She was a faculty member for the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy from 2011-2022, and since then is a Co-Founder and Instructor for the Veterinary Homeopathy Institute. She has also lectured and written extensively about Veterinary Homeopathy.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Lisa Melling as we discuss her education, clinical practice, transition to natural medicine, and her teaching career.

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.How can we increase milk protein and capture that income opportunity? Dr. Van Amburgh describes the seasonal drop in milk protein observed in the summer months. Heat stress may play a role in altering insulin sensitivity and how the cow partitions nutrients. What can we do to avoid that seasonal decline in milk protein?  (0:01)Simple things like cooling, fans, and sprinklers can reduce heat stress and increase cow comfort. Dr. Van Amburgh recommends promoting dry matter intake and lying time, with feed available 21-22 hours per day and more than 12 hours of lying time per day. (5:27)Dr. Van Amburgh discusses basic formulation considerations for amino acid balancing including current feed chemical analyses that include NDF digestibility, characterizing the cows appropriately by using accurate body weights, understanding DMI and making sure actual milk lines up with ME and MP allowable milk, assessing body condition changes, and understanding the first limiting nutrient of milk production. Areas where mistakes are often made include using much lighter body weights than actual to formulate rations, not using actual DMI, and using feed library values instead of actual feed chemistry. (8:00)Milk protein percentage and dietary energy are closely aligned. This is often attributed to ruminal fermentation and microbial yield. Sugars, starches, and digestible fiber sources drive microbial yield. While protein and energy metabolism are considered to be separate, that is an artificial divide and they should be considered together. Once adequate energy for protein synthesis is available, providing more dietary protein or amino acids can increase protein synthesis further. Dr. Van Amburgh provides some ranges of target fermentable non-structural carbohydrates, starch, sugar and soluble fiber appropriate for early peak and mid-lactation cows. He speaks about the benefits of adding sugars to the diet instead of trying to continue to increase starch. (11:15)Dr. Van Amburgh details an experiment using more byproduct feeds in a lactation diet to successfully increase intake and subsequently, milk protein content. (24:04)Milk protein increases with higher DCAD in diets, independent of protein level. Increasing DCAD can also lead to increased DMI, probably through better fiber digestion. The mechanism is not completely understood, but perhaps some rumen microbes have a higher requirement for potassium. In another study, feeding higher DCAD resulted in an 11% increase in milk protein yield and a 26% increase in milk fat yield. (32:39)Feeding fatty acids may also improve milk protein via insulin signaling pathways. A 5.6% increase in milk protein was observed when the ratio of palmitic acid to oleic acid was around 1.5:1. (36:21)Dr. Van Amburgh encourages the audience to pay close attention to digestibility of dietary ingredients and shares an analysis of ten different sources of feather meal that varied in digestibility from around 50% up to 75%. (40:10)Dr. Van Amburgh details an experiment targeting optimum methionine and lysine levels for improved milk protein. In an example with 60 Mcals of ME in the diet, the targets were 71 grams of methionine and 193 grams of lysine. (42:00)Questions from the webinar audience were addressed. They included information about the best type of sugars to add to diets, if protozoa are preferentially retained in the rumen, BMR vs conventional corn silage, amino acid supply when dietary crude protein is around 14-15%, using metabolizable energy instead of net energy, variability of animal protein blends, and methionine to lysine ratios. (48:23)To end this podcast, Dr. Jose Santos steps in to invite everyone to the Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium in Gainesville held February 24-26.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.

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richy, welcome Dr. Tanya Thoms to Dean's Chat! Dr. Thoms, an Associate Professor, is currently the Director of Curriculum & Student Learning Outcomes at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine.  She also Chairs the Promotion & Graduation Committee and is the Curriculum Committee Chair. Dr. Thoms graduated from the University of California at Davis with a BS in Animal Science and worked as a Research Associate for biotechnology firms for four years, participating in the development of human and veterinary vaccines.  Her decision to pursue a medical career led to her receiving her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 2001 from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. This was followed by residency training in podiatric medicine and surgery at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Puget Sound and the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Thoms was engaged for an additional year in a Diabetic Research Fellowship for the Limb Preservation Service, Department of Orthopedics, also at Madigan Army Medical Center. As a Fellow, she participated in numerous clinical studies involving analgesics, wound care adjuncts, and risk factors for diabetic ulceration and amputation. While serving as a Fellow, Dr. Thoms was largely responsible for the didactic instruction of students and residents. After two years in private practice in Nevada, Dr. Thoms joined the AZCPM team at MWU in 2006. She is the Director of Curriculum and Student Learning Outcomes, and her primary teaching duties include course direction of Biomechanics of Lower Extremity Function I and II and Applied Clinical Biomechanics. https://bakodx.com/ https://bmef.org/ www.explorepodmed.org https://podiatrist2be.com/ https://higherlearninghub.com/

Drs. Jeffrey Jensen and Johanna Richy, welcome Dr. Tanya Thoms to Dean's Chat! Dr. Thoms, an Associate Professor, is currently the Director of Curriculum & Student Learning Outcomes at the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine.  She also Chairs the Promotion & Graduation Committee and is the Curriculum Committee Chair. Dr. Thoms graduated from the University of California at Davis with a BS in Animal Science and worked as a Research Associate for biotechnology firms for four years, participating in the development of human and veterinary vaccines.  Her decision to pursue a medical career led to her receiving her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 2001 from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. This was followed by residency training in podiatric medicine and surgery at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Puget Sound and the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Thoms was engaged for an additional year in a Diabetic Research Fellowship for the Limb Preservation Service, Department of Orthopedics, also at Madigan Army Medical Center. As a Fellow, she participated in numerous clinical studies involving analgesics, wound care adjuncts, and risk factors for diabetic ulceration and amputation. While serving as a Fellow, Dr. Thoms was largely responsible for the didactic instruction of students and residents. After two years in private practice in Nevada, Dr. Thoms joined the AZCPM team at MWU in 2006. She is the Director of Curriculum and Student Learning Outcomes, and her primary teaching duties include course direction of Biomechanics of Lower Extremity Function I and II and Applied Clinical Biomechanics. https://bakodx.com/ https://bmef.org/ www.explorepodmed.org https://podiatrist2be.com/ https://higherlearninghub.com/

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

In this study, two basal diets were fed, one low-fat and one high-fat. The low-fat diet contained cottonseed meal and cottonseed hulls and the high-fat diet contained whole cottonseed. This balanced fiber and protein to try and make the difference between the basal diets and just the fatty acids. Basal diets were supplemented with two different fat supplements that had different ratios of palmitic and oleic acids. The applied question at hand was “Does fat need to be supplemented to a high-fat basal diet?” (5:32)The low-fat diet contained 1.93% fatty acids and the high-fat diet contained 3.15% fatty acids. Fatty acid supplements were fed at 1.5% of dry matter and replaced soyhulls. The palmitic acid supplement contained 80% palmitic acid and 10% oleic acid. The palmitic + oleic acid supplement contained 60% palmitic acid and 30% oleic acid. Thirty-six cows were used in a split-plot Latin square design, with half the cows on each basal diet. Under each split-plot, cows were allocated to a 3x3 Latin square, evaluating a control treatment (no fat supplement), palmitic acid supplement, and palmitic + oleic acid supplement. (8:46)Bill, Adam, and Clay discuss the increase in milk components the industry has experienced recently due to the powerful combination of genetics and nutrition. Hoard's Dairyman reported that 2024 was the first year that the U.S. had averaged over 4% milk fat going back to 1924 when records began. (13:01)Both fat supplements increased milk yield in low-fat and high-fat basal diets, but the magnitude of the increase was larger in the low-fat diet. The high palmitic acid diet increased milk yield more in cows fed the low-fat basal diet than the palmitic + oleic supplement did. High-fat basal diet cows had similar milk yield responses to both fatty acid supplements. The panel discusses the industry emphasis on milk components and if/when a threshold in performance might happen given the advancement of genomics and nutrition. (15:51)Clay asks Adam to remind the listeners about the relationship between fatty acids and crude fat or ether extract. Adam recommends moving away from ether extract and focusing solely on fatty acid content. Bill, Adam, and Clay talk about the variability in the fatty acid content of various feedstuffs. (25:33)Bill asks if the feed efficiency improvement with the fat supplementation was due to more of a gross energy or digestible/metabolizable energy effect. Adam suggests it may be a little of both. The diet is more energy-dense, but we also know now that some of those specific fatty acids have specific effects. Improvements in NDF digestibility are consistently observed with palmitic acid supplementation. Oleic acid improves fatty acid absorption and has an impact on adipose tissue metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Bill and Adam go on to talk more philosophically about the best way to measure feed efficiency in dairy cows. (29:02)If Adam could do this experiment over again, he would have pushed the basal fat levels a bit more and had both lower-producing and higher-producing cows in the experiment. This leads to a discussion of how the results might have differed if distiller grains or soybeans were used instead of cottonseed in the experiment. Listeners should be careful not to extrapolate the results from this experiment to other fat sources. (33:55)Adam emphasizes that we shouldn't be afraid of feeding high-fat diets, either basal or supplemental fatty acids, especially to high-producing cows. We should be very mindful about where those fatty acids are coming from. We could provide the same nutrients by feeding either cottonseed or distillers grains, but how those ingredients feed out could be very different. (38:38)In summary, Clay agrees we should take a fresh look at how much fat we're feeding cows in basal diets and underlines the importance of the source of supplemental fatty acids. Bill concurs and commends Adam's group for basically making cottonseed without fat in the low-fat basal diet, which allowed for very clean interpretations of the fatty acid supplement results. Adam underlines that we can feed higher fat diets, but the fatty acid profile of all of those ingredients we might use is going to be key. In addition to fatty acids in diets and supplements, de novo synthesis of milk fat from acetate is the other half of the equation. Bringing those together might be a strategy to keep up with genetic improvements and drive higher milk fat yield. (47:43)You can find this episode's journal club paper from JDS Communications here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910223001114Please 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.