Podcasts about Animal science

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada.Dr. DeVries gives an overview of his presentation on the economics of feeding more than one ration to lactating cows, with special consideration for additional costs (beyond increased feed costs) such as delivering additional loads of TMR, labor cost and mixing errors. He notes that producer surveys indicate that simplicity and not making mistakes are reasons given for not feeding an increased number of different rations. The surveys suggest there is some real money to be made if appropriate rations are used. Diminishing marginal returns should also be considered: going from one ration to two will yield the largest gain in income over feed costs, with each additional ration yielding smaller gains. (1:52) Dr. Burhans and Dr. Overton discuss some considerations for feeding multiple rations, including environmental impacts, herd size, pen availability, feed costs and milk production impacts. Dr. DeVries emphasizes the costs of feed delivery are a big part of this as well. (9:20)The panel discusses a spreadsheet that Dr. DeVries presented during his presentation to calculate delivery costs. Dr. Burhans mentions some of the on-farm software gives an assessment of how close the actual ration was to the formulated ration, allowing for adjustments if needed. (16:28)The panel considers the importance of body condition scores and recording actual data during nutritionist walk-throughs of dairy herds. They also delve into feeding frequency and optimal feed refusals levels. (27:45)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (43:08)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.

#realconversations #autism #wrestling #pinball #springsteen#rocknroll CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN WE THE SPECIESMeet SAM MITCHELL: “Going into this very special interviewwith Sam, I knew we shared some commonalities. A fascinating realization. Samis on the spectrum with Autism. Highly functioning, he is passionate,refreshingly honest, and so knowledgeable. Commonality? Fifteen years ago, whenI became a journalist for NJ Discover, my early journalism featured autism inmany venues. More discoveries with Sam. He loves wrestling. I've had twowrestling heavyweight champions in my kitchen for dinner. Long story. Sam isthe founder of Autism Rocks and Rolls. Highly successful non-profit. My earlyjournalism took me to Asbury Park, which nurtured early Bruce Springsteen. Samis a very successful podcaster. Even had legendary Dr Temple Grandin as aguest. And Sam loves pinball machines. We both have broken pinball machines.This all fosters very special chemistry. So evident in this precious interviewwith Sam.”  Calvinhttps://www.youtube.com/c/ConversationswithCalvinWetheSpecIEs535 Interviews/Videos  9200 SUBSCRIBERSGLOBAL Reach. Earth Life. Amazing People.  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and COMMENT**TITLE: SAM MITCHELL: Autism Will Always ‘Rocks And Rolls';Pinball; Wrestling; LIVE from IndianaYouTube: https://youtu.be/sOONUj9Y70oLINKS; Corporation President of Autism Rocks and Rollsinfo@autismrocksandrolls.com   www.autismrocksandrolls.com812-699-7811    "Humankind, do both" BIO: Hello! My name is Sam Mitchell and I run a successfulpodcast called Autism Rocks and Rolls. I have autism myself and my podcast hasexploded and become very successful! I would like to be a guest on your podcastto spread the mission of my podcast and nonprofit.I am at 21K downloads. I have had some big names on my show:Armani Williams, first NASCAR driver open about having autism, and AmericanIdol Rocker James Durbin who has autism and Tourette's. My biggest guest of allwas Dr. Temple Grandin, professor in Animal Science at Colorado StateUniversity and autism activist. I had WWE legend Mick Foley on my show! Hugeguests are coming as well!I am also a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and sellmerchandise. I have several sponsors, sell ad space, and am a writer andblogger. I love to promote my podcast and business. I also have a published TEDTalk titled "Souled Structure." My official Website is autismrocksandrolls.com.I am a high-functioning human being on the autism spectrum,but have a mission: to show people that I am not broken, do not need to befixed, there is no normal in this world, and I am successful, with autism. Iwant to celebrate the successes of all people. I embrace who I am and feel asthough everyone should do the same. My mission is powerful and thisextraordinary idea is catching on and getting the world's attention.I have made it to the top 10 in the People's Choice PodcastAwards, placed second in the state of Indiana for the JAG Entrepreneurshipproject, was selected as the best business at the CEO trade show in Indiana,have had tremendous guests on my show, and am in the top 200 podcasts in all ofCanada while also being a current Davey Award winner.**WE ARE ALSO ON AUDIOAUDIO “Conversations with Calvin; WE the SpecIEs”ANCHOR https://lnkd.in/g4jcUPqSPOTIFY https://lnkd.in/ghuMFeCAPPLE PODCASTSBREAKER https://lnkd.in/g62StzJGOOGLE PODCASTS https://lnkd.in/gpd3XfMPOCKET CASTS https://pca.st/bmjmzaitRADIO PUBLIC https://lnkd.in/gxueFZw

We're so thrilled to have Dr. Sean McCormack join us on this episode of the podcast. We talk about his amazing career, from working in windowless rooms to finally “opening that window” as his path evolved from zoo vet to garden designer.   Sean shares stories about roses, rainbows, flora and fauna, David Attenborough, and everything in between. It's a warm, engaging chat that shows his passion for wildlife, conservation, and storytelling in veterinary work.   Dr. Sean McCormack is a veterinarian, conservationist, and media presenter. He studied Animal Science before vet school at University College Dublin with a focus on zoo and wildlife medicine. After six years in clinical practice treating wildlife, domestic, and exotic species, he moved into pet nutrition consultancy. He founded the Ealing Wildlife Group in West London and leads the Ealing Beaver Project, returning Eurasian Beavers to urban London for the first time in over 400 years.   Sean is also an ambassador for the Beaver Trust, host of Sean's Wild Life podcast, and a regular on TV and radio including BBC Springwatch, BBC The One Show, and ITV This Morning.   Don't forget Sean will also join us for our next clinical episode to chat about some of the pros and cons of raw feeding. We'd love to have you listen in for that too.   For more CPD and educational content, visit: https://www.vtx-cpd.com”

In this episode of the Meatgistics podcast, Jon sits down with Daniel Unruh, an Animal Science assistant Professor at Iowa State University, for an insightful interview on livestock, education, and the future of animal agriculture. Afterward, Jon and Ali dig into some rotisserie chicken while showing off the brand-new neon Meatgistics sign lighting up the studio. The conversation takes a wild turn with a story about cows chasing off bears, and they wrap things up by diving into some of the weirdest meat-related food laws. It's a bright, bold, and beefy episode you won't want to miss!

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.  Austin begins with an overview of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Their membership consists of all government officials in the US and other countries who are charged by law to regulate animal feed, including pet food, in their jurisdictions. Canada, Costa Rica, and the US all participate in AAFCO. In the US, animal feed regulation is an integrated food safety system with a partnership between state and federal regulators as well as FDA. AAFCO's ultimate goal is to harmonize animal feed regulation across all states and provide a level playing field for the industry. (8:14)He goes on to explain that AAFCO and FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine had a long-standing MOU in place that outlined an ingredient approval pathway that ended on October 1, 2024. FDA chose not to renew that MOU to focus on improving their other regulatory pathways, the Food Additive Petition Process and the Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) Notice Program. The FDA also has a new Animal Food Ingredient Consultation Process for ingredient approval. AAFCO has partnered with Kansas State University's Olathe Innovation Campus to scientifically review new ingredients, then bring them back through the AAFCO process to get formal approval. Ingredient companies can choose one of these four pathways for new ingredient approval. (10:05) Dr. Starkey notes that the process a company chooses will depend on the ingredient. If it's similar to ingredients proven safe on the market already, the KSU-AAFCO system would be a good route. If it's something a little more sophisticated or a new chemical, that may be more appropriate for a food additive petition, where toxicology studies would be conducted. (12:49)The panel discusses how scrutiny of GRAS rules might impact the pet food industry. Dr. Larson explains the scientific rigor involved in evaluating new ingredients. Dr. Starkey notes that there are different levels of GRAS, one of which is self-affirmed, which might be the one under the most scrutiny at this point. The panel agrees that transparency is critical for consumer confidence and ensuring health and safety of pets. (15:47)Austin talks about some of the ripple effects of the federal reduction in force in the regulatory arena. He and Dr. Larson talk about how the AAFCO-K-State partnership came to be, how K-State is ramping up to manage this project, and future plans for the partnership. (19:52)Dr. Starkey underlines the importance of timely ingredient approvals and how the new AAFCO-K-State partnership allows for companies to be more competitive due to the speed of approvals. Austin notes that an ideal submission with no follow-up questions or back-and-forth would have taken about 18 months to get approval under the old MOU between AAFCO and FDA, and a very small percentage of applications would be considered ideal. With the new AAFCO-K-State process, an expert panel reviews the submission in 60-90 days and the entire approval process is cut roughly in half, to about nine months. (25:55)Scott and the panel discuss how approval pathways differ for ingredient approval based on the claim being made. For example, is it a nutrient or is there some sort of pharmaceutical claim? (28:36)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (37:19)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 special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, celebrating National Cow Appreciation Day, we revisit our conversation with Dr. Michael Hutjens, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, who provides an update on rumen buffers and key considerations for their optimal use in dairy diets. Dr. Hutjens explains the sources of buffers, their role in rumen health, and practical strategies for effective integration into dairy rations. Listen now on all major platforms!"Buffers stabilize rumen health and optimize microbial growth."Meet the guest: Dr. Michael Hutjens, Professor Emeritus of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, grew up on a Holstein dairy farm in Wisconsin and earned his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With decades of experience as an extension dairy specialist, Dr. Hutjens has delivered expert insights on dairy nutrition worldwide, speaks at numerous conferences, and writes for prominent dairy publications.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:28) Introduction(02:35) Buffer usage in dairy diets(03:14) Rumen environment optimization(03:55) Key buffer sources(07:11) Calcium carbonate(08:16) Reasons to use buffers(11:14) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Priority IAC* Adisseo* Kemin- Zinpro- Afimilk- Volac- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium.  Dr. Baumgard begins with an overview of his presentation, “Importance of gut health to drive animal performance and health.” He notes the metabolic and inflammatory fingerprint of all stressors is essentially the same, indicating they likely all emanate from the gut. Overall, we're gaining a better understanding of how typical on-farm stressors negatively influence gut barrier function. He thinks the most likely mechanism of leaky gut is the immune cell known as a mast cell. When an animal or human is stressed, the enteric nervous system releases corticotropin-releasing factor, which binds to the mast cell, the mast cell degranulates, and the former contents of the mast cell (TNF-alpha, proteases, histamine, etc.) causes the gut to become leaky. (4:20)Once the GI tract barrier becomes compromised, antigens like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can infiltrate, stimulating the immune system. Immune activation causes loss of appetite much like any other infection. The gut heals fairly quickly upon removal of the stressor(s), and the gut can also acclimate to stress such that the early stages of a stress event are more severe than later stages. Strategies to combat leaky gut remain scarce, and there is no silver bullet. There are a variety of dietary strategies to target the gut permeability issue itself. Another approach would be to bind pathogens or curb their proliferation at the membrane of the small intestine. (7:06)Dr. Neiehues asks if an antihistamine would work on gut mast cells the way it does in other body systems. Dr. Baumgard isn't sure that's ever been looked at, although there have been some studies in pigs using a product targeted to prevent mast cell degranulation. Dr. Nelson wonders if we should interfere in some of these processes because they're obviously there for a reason. Panelists discuss stress events related to parturition and transition, particularly for first-calf heifers. Dr. Baumgard notes that stacking stressors on top of one another compromises an animal's ability to tolerate stress. (9:28)We know stress can cause ulcers in humans and horses - what about ruminants? Dr. Baumgard thinks it is likely that it's happening, but we aren't looking for it. Few animals who die on-farm do receive a thorough postmortem exam. It could also be that these types of insults to the gut are not visible to the naked eye. (19:11)Dr. Nelson asks what makes some cows, despite all the challenges, able to be up and milking 150 pounds a day in no time after calving. What makes them unique? Dr. Baumgard lists some possibilities, including lower pathogenic inflammation than other cows, less tissue trauma damage to the uterus during calving, and lower sensitivity to immune activation. The panel disagrees with the notion that high-producing cows are stressed. (23:16)Dr. Niehues and Dr. Baumgard trade stories of experiments where cows maintained production even with high stress and inflammatory markers. The panel goes on to discuss subclinical infections and their impact on transition cows. Dr. Nelson notes there are retrospective datasets where cows who had metritis showed decreased feed intake even before calving. Dr. Baumgard feels that the decrease in intake has been incorrectly assumed to be the cause of the metritis. He says the decrease in intake is often around two weeks before calving and he doesn't think it's a coincidence that at the same time, the mammary gland is initiating lactogenesis. He hypothesizes the mammary gland is causing an immune response, resulting in a decrease in intake. Dr. Nelson wonders if measuring somatic cell counts of colostrum would show any differences in mammary gland inflammation during this prepartum period. (29:18)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (42:02)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 special episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, celebrating Cow Appreciation Day, Dr. Michael Schutz, Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, shares updates on dairy cattle genetics and herd management. He covers everything from breakthroughs in genomics to colostrum management and industry-wide shifts in dairy science education and practice. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!"Computing capacity has revolutionized genetic evaluations, allowing us to manage data on a scale unimaginable decades ago."Meet the guest: Dr. Michael Schutz is the Department Head of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. With a BS and MS in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Dairy Cattle Genetics from Iowa State University, he brings decades of experience in dairy cattle research and extension programs. A pioneer in dairy genetics, Dr. Schutz continues to lead efforts in education and innovation.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:26) Introduction(04:00) Dairy extension(13:22) Herd management(17:07) Evolution in education(19:43) Colostrum quality(26:16) Computing capacity & genetics(32:54) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Adisseo* Lallemand* Priority IAC* Evonik- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- Scoular- ICC- AHV- Protekta- Natural Biologics

What makes an octopus's blood blue instead of red? In this ocean-themed nature study for kids, discover how hemocyanin helps octopuses survive in cold, low-oxygen waters and why these creatures are some of the coolest animals in the sea. In the companion video class about Octopuses included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, students will learn all about octopus anatomy, how camouflage works, and the amazing ways these animals use their arms, suckers, and brains to survive. They'll even create an underwater nature journal scene featuring a camouflaged octopus blending into its habitat. 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 Octopuses show notes page to see a stunning octopus. Click here to find the nature-themed book recommendations from our listeners! 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 at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. Dr. Bach gives an overview of his presentation, highlighting that buffers make the rumen resistant to a decrease in pH while alkalizers immediately increase rumen pH. He prefers magnesium oxide, an alkalizer, over sodium bicarbonate, a buffer. Both are effective, but sodium bicarbonate requires a larger amount, thus taking up more room in the diet. The magnesium oxide must be of high quality and soluble in the rumen. (3:40)Dr. Richards asks if we should use magnesium oxide more as a first line of defense against acidosis. Dr. Bach notes that the very best strategy is to avoid using either additive by making a proper ration balanced in terms of amount and rate of degradation of starch. But there are many constraints in the field, so he recommends using magnesium oxide before sodium bicarbonate. For the magnesium oxide to be effective, it must be solubilized in the rumen to magnesium hydroxide, and solubility can be tested in a variety of ways to determine quality. (7:35)The panel discusses the impact of magnesium oxide in place of sodium bicarbonate on DCAD and which DCAD equation(s) should be used for calculations. Dr. Bach recommends removing sodium bicarbonate from rations containing less than 1% of the ingredient. It will have little effect on the rumen, but make room in the ration. The panel explores how this can impact farm-level economics. (12:39)Dr. Bach also mentions probiotics and their impact on rumen function. In vitro studies have shown a wide variety of modes of action and positive results. Extrapolating in vitro doses to the cow often results in unsustainable amounts of the additive needing to be fed. Applied studies at the cow level have yielded inconsistent results. (23:29)Scott asks how long Dr. Bach has been making the case for pulling sodium bicarbonate out and putting magnesium oxide in, and what kind of pushback he has received. Dr. Bach gives some of the reasons farmers have given for not wanting to make this management change. He also notes that farmers who do make the switch do not tend to go back to sodium bicarbonate. (25:18)Dr. Bach and Maimie discuss grass silage diets and grazing diets with high amounts of moisture and how best to combat acidosis symptoms with those. In diets like this, where you're not trying to make room for energy, sodium bicarbonate can be a good choice. Dr. Richards chimes in with questions about the ratio of the two ingredients; Dr. Bach indicates the ratio doesn't mean much to him. (26:16)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (33:27)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. Microbial protein has always been Dr. Frikins' main interest. It's the most important and consistent source of protein for the cow, with a very high amino acid content. Histidine is the only exception, but bypass protein sources high in histidine complement microbial protein well. Our assessment of microbial protein is all based on prediction models. In his presentation, Dr. Firkins talked about what we can do to have consistently high microbial protein production and how to make the best use of the models. He touched on starch and fat content as two areas of focus, emphasizing a balanced diet to achieve a balanced supply of microbial protein. (5:36)Dr. Firkins notes that about 90% of the bacteria in the rumen can't be cultured, and there is great diversity in the rumen. There's a core group of bacteria that almost every cow has that are really good at their job because they've been co-selected along with the cow for fiber digestion. The panel discusses how much the microbiome changes over time, host interactions with the microbial population, and inoculation of calves at birth and weaning. (8:47)Dr. De Souza and Dr. Faciola talk about starch associative effects and their impacts on fiber digestibility, how sugars impact the rumen and butyrate production, and the importance of butyrate in de novo milk fat synthesis. Dr. Frikins hypothesizes that when sugars improve fiber digestibility, the sugar stimulates how fiber digesters do their job. Some studies have shown an increase in rumen pH when sugars are supplemented, which may be part of the mechanism of improved fiber digestibility. However, he doesn't recommend using sugars when there is a lot of starch in the diet. (13:38)Dr. Faciola and Dr. Firkins discuss some of the finer points of the dietary starch and fiber digestibility relationship. What are you replacing when you add more starch? What is the proper amount of effective fiber in higher-starch diets? On the other hand, if you decrease starch a little bit, there might be more room for fat. Well-managed cows with adequate effective fiber can probably handle more starch. Dr. Firkins underlines that starch is more digestible than fiber and thus supports microbial protein, but an optimum level is desirable, perhaps 28-20%. (20:37)The panel talks about microbial growth efficiency and the energy-spilling mechanisms some bacteria have. Some models suggest that starch-digesting bacteria have higher maintenance energy requirements. The group then pivots to methane production and available feed additives marketed to reduce methane. Dr. Firkins notes that there is quite a bit of variability in the additives. He emphasizes that if we're using these products, we need to know and measure what's in them and have them be consistent. This is challenging due not only to variability in product, but also rumen adaptation. Dr. Firkins also reminds the audience that improving the cow's efficiency in general in a variety of ways will lead to a smaller environmental footprint. This can range from improving reproductive efficiency to understanding differences in the microbiome of cows who emit more or less methane and trying to shift microbial populations to those with lower emissions. (23:12)Dr. De Souza and Dr. Firkins discuss fatty acid supplementation and fiber digestion relationships. Dr. Firkins explains that in the microbiology literature, it's common to culture bacteria in a simple or complex medium, then add yeast culture. Interestingly, the yeast culture contains a lot of palmitic acid, which has been shown to improve fiber digestibility. He suggests the cell membrane of the bacteria is very critical. When fat supplementation depresses fiber digestibility, he suspects it's disrupting the bacterial membrane. Dr. De Souza recommends 1-2% palmitic acid in the diet for optimal results. (33:58)The panel touches on the importance and relevance of in vitro fermentation work, why histidine is the limiting amino acid in microbial protein, and Dr. Firkins' passion for protozoa. (43:08)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (53:40)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.

Links:National Cattlemen's Beef AssociationBeef Quality Assurance - BQAMasters of Beef AdvocacyEnvironmental Stewardship Award ProgramStockmanship & StewardshipCattlemen's CollegeRancher's Resilience GrantU S Roundtable for Sustainable BeefJosh White serves as the Sr. Executive Director - Producer Education & Sustainability for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). He is a fourth-generation cattleman whose first experiences with cattle trace back to helping with his grandfather's commercial Hereford cows in central Georgia as a child. By age twelve Josh had purchased his first heifer, began building his own herd and became a self-professed cattle nerd.  After graduating with honors from Berry College ('95) in northwest Georgia with a degree in Animal Science, Josh worked in private industry and grew his cattle herd, while also serving as a volunteer leader in several county, state and national ag and cattle organizations. In 2009 Josh took the opportunity to move from a volunteer leader role to full time industry service and joined the Georgia Cattlemen's Association and Georgia Beef Board as Executive Vice President, serving there until joining NCBA in 2014. In his current role as Sr. Executive Director – Producer Education & Sustainability with NCBA, Josh and his team are working to capitalize on the rich histories of the Beef Quality Assurance, Masters of Beef Advocacy, Environmental Stewardship Award Program, Stockmanship & Stewardship, and Cattlemen's College programs while moving these initiatives forward to deliver even greater value to NCBA members and the cattle industry. New programs like the Rancher's Resilience Grant are a true passion for Josh and the team – finding ways to empower even more producers to participate in impactful educational opportunities. In addition to overseeing numerous programs, Josh provides leadership for NCBA's policy funded sustainability efforts and supports beef checkoff funded efforts associated with sustainable cattle production. Josh was recently awarded the Continuing Service Award by the Beef Improvement Federation for his passionate service to BIF over the past decade.  He currently serves on the Beef Focus group for the USDA Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, NE) and on the Animal Science Advisory Council at his alma mater. He also represents NCBA on the U S Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and serves as co-chair of the Cattle Health & Welfare committee at the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Josh continues to own cattle on the family farm in Georgia.  He and his wife of 29 years, Erin, live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Their three children are scattered around the country in early career or college, and they have one exceptional grandchild. 

This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada, during the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference. Dr. Hemme begins with a demonstration of three different-sized glasses of milk representing the daily average dairy consumption in China, Europe, and the world as a whole. He explains that when you make predictions, it's good to identify the two main drivers of uncertainty in your industry. In the case of dairy, he cites whether or not people like dairy and whether or not they can afford it. He goes on to describe the four scenarios that can be created from those main drivers: people like dairy and can afford it, people don't like dairy but could afford it, people like dairy but can't afford it, and people don't like dairy and can't afford it.  (4:05)Walt asks Dr. Hemme to give some perspective on what makes a country a reliable exporter built for the global economy. He gives a unique example of how American football versus soccer compares to exporting dairy from the US to the global market. Matt chimes in with his perspective on how DFA is positioning the industry for exports. He notes that we live in the world of VUCA - volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity - and that we have a lot of VUCA happening in the US right now. In general, he's very bullish on our natural resources, management skills, and technical capability in the US dairy industry.  (10:17)The panel discusses who in the world is going to be able to meet the building demand for dairy products, and what the US might need to do to be a major player - in essence, moving from playing football to playing soccer. Dr. Hemme gives culture, policy, and relationship building as potential challenges for the US. (16:37)Matt is encouraged by the new investments in processing plants in the US and looks for a “build it and we will grow into it” scenario as we move forward. Dr. Hemme agrees that the processors are on board. But he wonders about the dairy farm side - no growth in cow numbers, not much growth in production, and breeding so many cows with beef semen makes him think the US is not believing in a growing dairy industry. He also talks about changing interest rates over time and impact on capital management. (25:50)The panel discusses the US milk price compared to the world milk price, the cost of production, and exchange rates. (29:45)Matt gives some perspective on beef-on-dairy. As the beef cycle levels back out and more beef heifers are retained, he forecasts fewer dairy cows being bred to beef semen and an increase in the supply and retention of dairy heifers. (34:31)Dr. Hemme talks about dairy demand and global population growth trends and predictions. (39:38)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (42:02)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

In this episode, we sit down with Mosa Balesamang, an animal scientist, livestock consultant, and passionate sheep farmer making waves both in the field and on TikTok.Mosa shares her journey from earning her degree in Animal Science in 2017 to serving in Botswana's Ministry of Agriculture, and how her work in cattle insemination and livestock consulting is helping reshape the future of farming in the region.We also dive into her growing influence on social media, where she educates and empowers aspiring farmers through her popular sheep farming content.

Dr. Bill Weiss and Alex Tebbe of the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University join Dr. Phil Cardoso of the University of Illinois to discuss their recent paper about the effects of oscillating dietary crude protein concentrations on production, nutrient digestion, plasma metabolites, and body composition in lactating dairy cows.Links to papers mentioned in this episodeTebbe and Weiss 2020, Effects of oscillating dietary crude protein concentrations on production, nutrient digestion, plasma metabolites, and body composition in lactating dairy cows.DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18613https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32896402/Agnew et al. 2005, Relationships between urea dilution measurements and body weight and composition of lactating dairy cows.DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72925-8https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15956310/

Discover what's possible when different brains come together.  Dr. Temple Grandin is well known for both her pioneer work as an autism advocate and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at understanding her own autistic mind, Dr. Grandin propelled the awareness of autism during a time when very little was known of it. She is an incredible source of hope for children with autism, their parents, and anyone with a dream.  Dr. Grandin became an internationally recognized leader in animal handling innovations after developing a corral that improved the quality of life of cattle by reducing stress. She has consulted with the USDA and major corporations such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Whole Foods, and Chipotle. Today, half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities she designed.  Dr. Grandin is also a prominent author, having written several books on autism and animal behavior. She has been featured on various media outlets and programs, including NPR, BBC, Larry King Live, 2020, Sixty Minutes, and TED, to name a few. In 2010, HBO produced an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and later that year, she was highlighted in TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These days, Dr. Grandin continues to write and teaches Animal Science at Colorado State University.  In this episode, we discuss: The spectrum of autism needs The evolution of diagnostic criteria  Dr. Grandin's opinion on the removal of Asperger's syndrome from the DSM-5 and the classification of autism under a single umbrella The neurodiversity movement ABA therapy Teaching autism awareness in schools Mental health challenges faced by autistic individuals Tips for autistic self-advocates, encouraging targeted advocacy and constructive action to make a difference in their communities For more information about Dr. Grandin and her work, please visit:  https://www.templegrandin.com/   https://www.grandin.com/ ----more---- This conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin was originally released on December 10, 2020.  Dr. Grandin's most recent book Autism and Education: The Way I See It: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know was published in April 2023. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you'd like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Wednesday, June 11 -  Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on new research from Purdue University suggesting the surge of media coverage had an effect on the price people are paying for eggs. Plus, strong supply fundamentals are pushing cattle and beef prices higher, 70 years after an aerial war against the screwworm — we're hearing about them again.Then, Doug introduces us to Shelby Hampton-Watson, owner of Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards in Brandywine, MD. Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards is a family owned farm going back four generations, and is one of the first agri-tourism farms in the 1970s in south Maryland. Shelby went to college for animal science before returning to the family farm and, over the years, diversified the farm to include the vineyards, winery and wedding venue. They are an estate winery, meaning they are a farm-winery and 100% of what they use is produced by them — planted, taken care of, harvested, processed and bottled, and the tasting room are all on the property. Learn more about Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards at https://www.robinhillfarmandvineyards.com.Additionally, Shelby has several side gigs as an author, speaker, and rural business strategist. She writes for several  agricultural publications, and one of the editorial columns she recently wrote for American Agriculturist is about something she came across during her time as an Animal Science Major in college was PMU (Pregnant Mare Urine) and it's one of the primary ingredients in hormone replacement therapy for women. It's a topic that recently came back into Shelby's consciousness when looking for another topic to write about and decided to share the information with others. You can read the article on https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/horses-and-hormones-the-surprising-link-between-farmers-mares-and-menopause-treatment.Another venture Shelby has is The Farmed Life (thefarmedlife.org) which empowers women through resources and support to grow; and her book Grace, Grit & Lipstick: Wit & Wisdom for the Modern Female Farmer & her Farm-Curious Friends featuring stories from women in agriculture with their different businesses like entrepreneurs, solarpreneurs, small family farms, backyard and hobby farmers, and anyone linked to the farm-to-table and all-natural-ingredient movements.Lastly, in Doug's opinion segment of today's episode, he discusses the Coalition For A Prosperous America (CPA) that keeps telling us about agriculture and questions a misrepresentation of the agricultural world in America, and why it's important to get your agricultural news from actual agricultural news sources and not mainstream media. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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! :)

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.

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.

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