Podcasts about dairy farms

Midwest Dairy represents over 4,000 dairy farms across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma. Their mission is to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in dairy products and production practices. Sidney Herr, the Research & Innovation Manager at Midwest Dairy, plays a pivotal role in advancing dairy innovation, particularly with the upcoming Midwest Dairy Accelerator (midwestdairyaccelerator.com) which supports and accelerates entrepreneurs with new dairy-based products. Applications open through May 11, 2025.

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 Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Curtis Bosma from HighGround Dairy and Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting at the Central Plains Dairy Expo. They discuss strategies to enhance profitability and efficiency on dairy farms as we progress through 2025. Curtis shares insights on the importance of financial planning and risk management in the dairy markets, while Pauly emphasizes the value of operational efficiency audits. Both experts underscore the significance of proactive business practices and accurate financial assessments to navigate market volatility and achieve sustained success in the dairy industry. This episode is sponsored by HighGround Dairy, which offers a range of services including market intelligence, insurance, and advisory programs for dairy market participants.About HighGround DairyThis episode is brought to you by HighGround Dairy provides global dairy market intelligence, insurance services, futures & options brokerage, and advisory programs to a diverse range of dairy market participants throughout the supply chain.Learn more at ⁠https://highgrounddairy.com/⁠ or email them at info@highgrounddairy.com 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:55 Curtis Bosma's Background and Role06:40 Pauly Paul's Background and Role08:33 Efficiency and Profitability Strategies17:17 Risk Management Insights24:42 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

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.

Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy is joined by Alltech's Jorge Delgado and Compeer's Brad Herkenhoff to chat about the challenges and strategies related to improving dairy farm culture. The discussion dives into the importance of identifying and fostering a strong culture on dairy farms, emphasizing the significance of communication and understanding employee motivations. Jorge Delgado shares actionable steps and success stories, highlighting the need for mission statements and continuous engagement to create a cohesive and dedicated workforce. This episode is packed with practical insights tailored for dairy farm owners and managers aiming to enhance their team's performance and engagement.About Compeer FinancialCompeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Our dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers' financial goals and lending needs.For more information, contact the Compeer Dairy Industry Experts 00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Stalled Progress in Dairy Farms00:23 Meet the our sponsor: Brad Herkenhoff, Compeer Financial 02:13 The Importance of Culture in Dairy Farms03:26 Insights from Jorge Delgado: Building a Strong Dairy Culture05:17 Defining and Identifying Culture08:25 Creating a Mission Statement: A Case Study17:39 Effective Communication: The Key to Culture18:55 Challenges and Solutions in Dairy Farm Management26:24 Final Thoughts: Leadership and Adaptability27:39 Conclusion: Keep Growing and Upleveling Your Dairy

This weekend, Girl Scout troops will explore the world of agriculture. John Haag is a dairy farmer out of Dane, Wisconsin. He milks about 115 cows with his family. They’ve been hosting Girl Scout troops on the farm for the past five years, helping these girls earn their dairy patch. About 40 troops will rotate around different presenters -- women who work in the field of agriculture: agronomy, nutrition, natural resources, communications, animal health, and more. John will also give the girls a tour of his modern dairy farm showcasing robotic milking technology and animal welfare. Pictured: John Haag talking to a Girl Scout troop at his farm in 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Apr 3, 2025) Dairy farms across New York are feeling the tension as immigration enforcement ramps up; we hear from students about what they think of Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to prohibit smartphone use during the school day; and we speak with the head of the Adirondack Sky Center in Tupper Lake about the recent addition of two artifacts from old NASA space programs to its collection.

Brad Peterson, VP of Sales at Total Farm Marketing, discusses how AI-powered tools and proactive strategies are transforming dairy marketing and risk management. He explores how the TFM360 system uses AI and data-driven insights to help dairy farmers optimize milk pricing, manage feed and fuel costs, and navigate market volatility. Brad also shares how Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) insurance works alongside these strategies to provide a safety net against downturns. Learn how Total Farm Marketing's innovative approaches can help dairy producers make more informed and strategic decisions. Episode Highlights: Overview of Total Farm Marketing's Approach to Dairy Risk ManagementHow TFM360 Utilizes AI to Enhance Milk MarketingUnderstanding the Role of Scenario Planning in Risk ManagementThe Benefits of Dairy Revenue Protection InsuranceWhat Sets Total Farm Marketing Apart in the Dairy Industry This episode is sponsored by Total Farm Marketing by Stewart-Peterson. Total Farm Marketing's family of companies helps farmers manage commodity price volatility with comprehensive strategies and recommendations that span a producer's operation. Total Farm Marketing offers two services to help dairy farmers optimize operations. TFM360, a product of Stewart-Peterson Inc., is an AI-powered, rules-based system that provides data-driven recommendations for managing price risk on milk, feed, and fuel. Dairy Revenue Protection insurance, offered through SP Risk Services LLC, secures a safety net against market downturns. Futures and options involve risk and are not suitable for everyone. SP Risk Services LLC is an insurance agency and an equal opportunity provider.

In episode 112, Ste chats with Ashley Armstrong from the Strong Sistas. Ashley offers a wealth of knowledge about tailoring your diet (and lifestyle) for optimal energy and overall health.  As a farmer, Ashley also shares her perspective on the MAHA movement, the power of supporting small farmers, and why the USDA Organic certification may not be what it seems.  Radical Health Radio is produced by Heart & Soil, a beef organ supplements company helping hundreds of thousands of people achieve radical health. Heart & Soil was founded by Dr. Paul Saladino, a double board-certified MD and founder of the animal-based eating philosophy. Visit heartandsoil.co to reclaim your birthright to radical health with the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Join dairy educator, Kasey Hower, as she speaks with Ed Crow and Jamie Kopco from the Penn State Extension Pesticide Education program on the importance of chemical safety on your dairy farm. Their discussion includes considerations you should make when handling common chemicals, common mistakes that may be made, some particularly hazardous chemicals you may come across, the health risks associated with improper handling, and the overall importance of following chemical labels.

In “Got (Raw) Milk? The Small Family Dairy Farms Behind a Big Controversy,” Gravy producer Bianca Garcia takes listeners to Milky Way Farm, the last dairy in Anderson County, South Carolina, where raw milk sales are keeping the Peeler family afloat.   Their neighbors have succumbed to the pressures that have defined a generation of farmers. Between 2003 and 2022, South Carolina—where the state beverage is a glass of cold milk—lost 75 percent of licensed dairy operations. They have found their market in a niche constituency, though the wider public might disapprove. Raw milk is a risky product, often considered a public health risk.   Raw milk is unpasteurized, meaning it hasn't been through a sanitizing kill step. Scientists worry that it can make consumers vulnerable to bacterial or viral infection, but raw milk lovers can't get enough of the creamy taste and allegedly healthful properties.   This debate is situated in what seems to be a public health emergency. Reports of bird flu infecting dairy cattle leave public health officials worried that drinking raw milk can spread disease. Under the Trump presidency, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to increase public access to raw milk as a part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda. Raw influencers and “tradwives” promote it endlessly on social media. Through all this noise, it's easy to lose sense of the fact that this is an issue that starts on the farm.   In this episode, you will hear from L.D. Peeler, acting patriarch of Milky Way Farm, his daughter, Iris, and son, Davis. Each plays a role on their small family farm, which raises 120 Jersey cows: Davis works on the farm, L.D. manages the finances, and Iris does the public relations. They each have different, but entangled, stories to tell.   At Milky Way Farm, we are reminded that, just like any other food, raw milk starts with the land, the animals, and the people that make it possible. Guided by the community's desire for a tasty and safe product, the Peelers have shaped their business to meet this need. Thus, in the face of economic pressures of the dairy industry and cultural pressures around the product, they have risen above—like the cream beneath the lid of their bottled pints. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team discussed dairy farm worker health, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases like avian influenza (H5N1). They highlighted the active influenza season in Iowa, with a vaccination rate of 32%, far below the 70% goal. The team noted the high-risk areas for exposure and stressed the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Resources for biosecurity and health measures were recommended, including the Center for Food Security and Public Health and local public health departments.   Respirators and Fit Testing | Health & Human Services Information for Farm Workers Spanish version of Information for Farm Workers Sioux County Community Health Partners Center for Food Security and Public Health - https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ 

The JPR news team gathers for a roundtable discussion of the top news stories they've been working on this week.

Dairy farmers are being urged to pay down debt while they're in a good position to do so. Fonterra's already forecasting a midpoint of $10 this season. Industry organisation Dairy NZ expects the situation to continue, forecasting a payout above $10 next season. DairyNZ Head of Economics Mark Storey told Mike Hosking it's a good chance to clear debt while payouts are rising, and interest rates are falling. He says farmers have been making repayments in the last few seasons, and they should continue to do so. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wisconsin's dairy industry is a key part of the state's economy, and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is working hard to support local farmers, promote the state's dairy products, and build trust with consumers. Sandy Madland, member of the DFW Board of Directors, is joining us for this month's check-in with Dairy Checkoff to share how they make sure Wisconsin’s dairy farmers have the tools they need to succeed. "Building consumer trust is vital for the future of dairy farming," Sandy explains. "Through personal connections, whether it’s at a farm breakfast or a social media post, we are showing people where their food comes from. The more consumers understand about dairy farming, the stronger the support we can expect from the next generation." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, March 12 -  Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on the new administration, including Brooke Rollins, the diversity in new farmers and why it's difficult to become a 1st generation farmer in today's society, discussions in Congress of a new Farm Bill, the continuously rising cost of eggs, and the new news on cattle markets with prices going up. Next, Doug introduces us to Brett Reinford of Reinford Farms, located in the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania (ReinfordFarms.com). Dairy farming has been the livelihood of Reinford Farms for several generations, but then they stumbled upon the idea of recycling food waste in an effort to be more sustainable and turn it into energy. It started with turning the cow manure on the farm into energy, and then they made an investment in an anaerobic digester where they provide a sustainable solution to the massive food waste problem in our country. Lastly, Farmer Doug opines what farmers could be doing on their own farms (and what he could be doing on his own farm) to make the farm more viable, more accessible and top-of-mind for members of the community. What added value can you incorporate into your business model on your farm? Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Stuart Neill from Pukatea Dairy Farms in the Amuri Basin about winning the Supreme award at the recent Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards, the nature of the farming operation and why it's successful... He talks with Jonathan Clark, Agriculture & Environment Manager at FTP Solutions, about its AI predator traps, the history behind its development and the implications for the technology in the future... And he talks with Hanlin Johnstone and Nika Schroeder from the Silver Fern Farms Career Graduate Programme about their current roles, their respective non-traditional pathways into the ag sector and what the programme offers. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Dom talks with Stuart Neill from Pukatea Dairy Farms in the Amuri Basin about winning the Supreme award at the recent Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards, the nature of the farming operation and why it's successful. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Continuous Glucose Monitors are increasingly popular. But are they feeding us dietary misinformation? Also ahead: the "sexome": scientists describe the genital microbiome, and how it might help with forensic investigations. And, we go to Wales to find out how artificial intelligence is helping dairy farmers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Esperanza and Irwin discuss the proliferation of dairy farms on the east end in the not too distant past. If you define a dairy as any farm with more than eight cows, there were once 42 operational dairy farms in East Hampton alone, according to the East Hampton Farm Museum. At that time, “most of the milk was for local consumption,” said Robert Hefner, historic preservation consultant for East Hampton Village. By the 1960s, most dairies on the East End had been shuttered, with the last two operating into the early 1980s—Carwytham Farm in Bridgehampton and Cow Neck Farm in North Sea. We'll focus primarily in East Hampton with the Sherril, Hardscrabble, and Dune Alpin Farms. The dialogue about the Gould and Tillinghast farms, and their subsequent merger to form G&T took us to a side story: the beloved G&T Chicken House on Race Lane.

In this episode, Hailey visits Jefferson County—a community dedicated to supporting its youth, preserving agricultural traditions, and celebrating craftsmanship. Inspired by residents who are always looking to improve their community, the county features several impactful initiatives, from the miraculous Matz Center and the historic Hoard's Dairyman Farm to the creative Trek Project One bikes. Listen on to hear each powerful story.Read the blog here: https://discoverwisconsin.com/uniquely-wisconsin-jefferson-county/Hoard's Dairyman Farm: https://www.hoardscreamery.com/; Trek: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/; Project One: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/project-one/; Wisconsin Community Services: https://www.wiscs.org/; Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation: https://www.watertownhealthfoundation.com/; Lifeline for Youth | Jefferson County's Brand New Youth Stabilization Program | Uniquely Wisconsin; How William Hoard Created the Dairy State | Jefferson County's Hoard's Dairyman | Uniquely Wisconsin; The Artists Behind Trek's Project One Bikes | Cycling in Waterloo | Uniquely Wisconsin;The Bobber: https://discoverwisconsin.com/the-bobber-blog/The Cabin Podcast: https://the-cabin.simplecast.com. Follow on social @thecabinpodShop Discover Wisconsin: shop.discoverwisconsin.com. Follow on social @shopdiscoverwisconsinDiscover Wisconsin: https://discoverwisconsin.com/. Follow on social @discoverwisconsinDiscover Mediaworks: https://discovermediaworks.com/. Follow on social @discovermediaworksJefferson County: https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/. Follow on social @jeffersoncountywi 

“Where quality and service meet” was the brand promise Ideal Dairy was founded upon more than 100 years ago, as not only a dairy farm but a local supply of door-to-door fresh milk delivery in Hudson Falls, New York. Well, fast forward to today, and this dairy farm and the families who operate it continue to live out that motto with their 3,800-cow herd, known widely for excellence in their genetics program, Cookie Cutter Holsteins.And while there are many people behind the scenes of Ideal Dairy's success, today we visit with a woman who is intensely passionate about people, connecting with the community and creating opportunities for the next generation of this multi-family dairy operation, while honoring the traditions of the past: Crystal Grimaldi, along with her father, John Dickinson.BONUS: Sponsor Spotlight featuring Steve Chuhta from ZoetisMeet Steve and hear why he nominated Ideal Dairy to be featured in Zoetis's celebrated Born of the Bond video series.Watch Season 2, Episode 1 here:https://www.zoetisus.com/cattle/born-of-the-bond/This episode is brought to you by Zoetis. As the world's leading animal health company, Zoetis is dedicated to helping producers achieve healthy animals, healthy dairies and healthy food through their world-class portfolio. For more information, visit DairyWellness.com. 

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Yung-Yi Mosley from the University of Georgia to discuss a recently published paper from the Bovine Practitioner to study the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) on Florida and Georgia dairy farms. The purpose of the study was to do a follow-up investigation from a previous study that demonstrated a 38% prevalence of BVDV in those states in 2015-2016.  Mosley walks through a general overview of BVDV including diagnostic testing and clinical syndromes that may result when cattle are infected with BVDV, including the development of a persistently infected animal (PI). She emphasizes that vaccination alone is not an effective control program for most herds and that testing for BVDV in purchased animals and biosecurity practices are important. Mosley stresses that if a producer is introducing pregnant animals, it is critical to not only test the dam, but also the fetus when it is born. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of BVDV in Georgia and Florida dairy farms and determine the circulating BVDV subtype in this region. The study involved 37 farms with a total of 57,000 cows and evaluated 90 samples. The study identified 10% of farms having a positive bulk tank sample. The type of BVDV found was Type 1b. Mosley discusses the significance of this compared to available BVBV vaccines. Mosley also discusses the findings of the survey that was administered to producers participating in the study.  Finally, we discuss how veterinarians can use the information from this study to screen bulk tank milk samples for BVDV. A bulk tank milk sample is a useful screening test and is accurate for up to 1,200 cows to detect a positive. Veterinarians should review their clients' BVDV control programs to evaluate potential risks and implement a comprehensive prevention program. Links: A follow-up investigation of the reported high herd prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea in dairy farms in Georgia and Florida. (2025). The Bovine Practitioner, 59(1), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.21423/bpj20259049 Jones A, Ilha M, Berghaus R, et al. Surveillance of bovine viral diarrhea virus antigen in Florida & Georgia dairy herds using bulk tank milk samples. In: 2016 National Institute for Animal Agriculture Annual Conference. 2016.

The team at Waka Dairies near Dannevirke is turning waste from milking cows into fertiliser that can be worked back into the farm.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

Today, we're talking about managing your heifer inventory, cutting down your cull rate, and making more milk and more money without purchasing pricey replacements as we sit down with Pauly Paul from Complete Management Consulting on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast.  This Episode is Sponsored by Complete Management Consulting Contact Pauly Paul www.CompleteManagementConsulting.com completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com 920-418-3135 Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

Please note the recording was before the new NASEM model was released. However, there is still a lot of good information from Dr. Weiss beyond those recommendations. This Real Science Exchange podcast episode was recorded during a webinar from Balchem's Real Science Lecture Series. You can find it at balchem.com/realscience.Most ration formulation software uses the 2001 NRC mineral equations. The basic concept of the 2001 NRC mineral requirements is to feed enough absorbable minerals to maintain adequate labile body stores and fluid concentrations. Minerals are lost each day via excretion in feces and urine, milk production, and incorporation into tissues or the fetus in the case of growing or pregnant animals. We have decent data to predict mineral concentrations of milk, growth, and the fetus; however, the endogenous loss in feces is much harder to capture. Absorption coefficients (AC) for most minerals are exceedingly difficult to measure. (0:29)The NRC requirements are the means of several experiments. Feeding to the mean results in half the cows being fed adequately or in excess, and half are not fed enough. In human nutrition, recommended daily allowances for vitamins and minerals are calculated as the mean plus two standard deviations, which statistically meets the requirement for 97% of the population. Since the standard deviation of the requirement is hard to acquire, human nutrition uses the same standard deviation for energy metabolism, around 20%. Dr. Weiss feels this is a reasonable safety factor for minerals for animals as well. He recommends feeding about 1.2 times the NRC requirement while keeping an eye on the maximum tolerable limit for the mineral in question. (4:59)How do we measure absorption? We measure the minerals in the diet, we apply AC, and we get grams or milligrams of absorbed minerals available for the animal to use. Dr. Weiss details some of the complex methodology involved in trying to obtain AC. Feces contain not only unabsorbed dietary minerals but also endogenous/metabolic minerals (e.g., intestinal cells, enzymes, etc.) and homeostatic excretion of minerals (e.g., dumping excess minerals). In the 2001 NRC, the endogenous fecal for almost every mineral is a function of body weight, which is incorrect. It should be a function of dry matter intake. (8:40)Endogenous fecal losses can also be measured using stable or radioactive isotopes. This method is extremely expensive and if radioactive isotopes are used, management of radioactive waste becomes an issue. Thus, most of the AC for trace minerals that used these methods are 50-60 years old. (15:33)Dr. Weiss details some of the issues with calcium requirements in the 2001 NRC leading to overestimation of calcium absorption for many calcium sources and overestimation of the maintenance requirement due to endogenous fecal being calculated using body weight. Organic and inorganic phosphorus have different AC, so partitioning between organic and inorganic will give a more accurate estimate of the requirement. (16:33)Potassium has a linear antagonistic effect on magnesium. You can feed more magnesium to overcome this antagonism, but you won't ever eliminate it. If you feed a few percent added fat as long-chain fatty acids, Dr. Weiss recommends feeding 10-20% more magnesium to account for soap formation in the rumen. (19:17)It's much more difficult to measure AC for trace minerals due to multiple antagonists, interactions among different minerals, and regulated absorption. In addition, AC for trace minerals is very low, which means a small change in the AC can have a huge impact on diet formulation. All feeds in the NRC system have the same AC for each trace mineral and we know that's not right.  (25:39)Dr. Weiss gives an overview of different trace mineral antagonisms and interactions and details his approach to formulation if he has absorption data for a particular ingredient. He also gives his estimates of revised AC for several minerals. (28:07)In summary, the factorial NRC approach only fits 50% of the population. Feeding an extra 10-20% above the NRC requirement includes about 97% of the population. We need to continue to account for more sources of variation in AC. Interactions need to be top of mind when considering mineral requirements and diet formulation. (37:39)Dr. Weiss takes a series of questions from the webinar audience. (40:50)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.

Dairy farms have long relied on sand bedding for their cows, and for good reason. Sand bedding provides crucial comfort and traction for dairy cows, especially as they move in and out of stalls. According to Renee Schrift, Global Director of Sales for Agricultural Systems at McLanahan Corporation, "Sand allows the cows to get in and out of the stall and gives them traction and cushion." The right bedding also plays a key role in keeping cows clean and dry, which is important for their health and productivity. "Sand bedding is the golden standard for cow comfort," said Schrift. "It offers excellent drainage, which helps keep the cow's udder dry and free from bacteria."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of DairyVoice, Connie Kuber of Sealpro Silage Barrier Films talks with Tom Eaton & Darren Usinowicz of Agriculture Consulting Services (ACS). They discuss the 2024 crop year and the impact it has had on northeast dairy farms. Tom and Darren discuss the flooding, soil health issues, manure management, and compaction issues they've been dealing with.

Dairy farmers now have a powerful new way to enhance their genetic programs with an innovative embryo tracking system. This technology simplifies managing embryo inventory and tracking genetic data, enabling farmers to improve herd performance efficiently. It's called the embryo inventory module. Melissa Freitas, West & Northeast FPC Team Leader for VAS, emphasizes how this tool fills a crucial gap in data management. "Farmers need a reliable way to record and analyze genetic data," Freitas explains. "This module consolidates everything—from embryo inventory to calf performance—into one easy-to-use system." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Pick that project you've been dreaming of and dive in—you'll be amazed by what you can accomplish for your community's cats!" This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund. This week, we're pulling back the curtain on the Community Cats Podcast with Kristen Petrie, our behind-the-scenes "Technical Tabby." Join host Stacy LeBaron as they dive into the highlights of a year filled with innovative ideas, cross-country adventures, and practical solutions for cat advocacy. From groundbreaking training sessions in Pennsylvania to a remarkable barn cat rescue in Vermont, Kristen and Stacy share the stories, challenges, and triumphs that shaped 2024. But that's just the beginning—2025 is shaping up to be the year of doing it yourself! With new tools like the Community Cat Calculator and expanded educational programs, this episode offers a glimpse into how you can take charge of spay/neuter access and TNR efforts in your community. Whether you're learning from inspiring pioneers like Dr. Becky Morrow or wrangling 27 cats in a dairy barn, this conversation proves that bold ideas and teamwork can create real change. Tune in for an honest, inspiring, and slightly cheese-fueled (Vermont style!) look at how cat lovers like you turn passion into progress. Press Play Now For: Highlights from 2024, including top conferences and hands-on TNR projects. Lessons learned from Frankie's Friends and its innovative approach to high-volume spay/neuter. How to plan and execute large-scale TNR operations like the Vermont barn project. The launch of the Community Cat Calculator—your new tool for targeted spay/neuter goals. Education opportunities like the Community Cat Program Management class at the University of the Pacific. 2025's “DIY” theme and tips for taking action in your community. Resources Mentioned: Frankie's Friends Spay/Neuter Clinic Community Cat Calculator Tool University of the Pacific - Community Cat Program Management Course TNR Certification Workshops Neighborhood Cats Podcast Episode - Starting at Grassroots and Sharing Our Spay/Neuter Skills with Becky Morrow, DVM

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to bird flu that's spreading among the state's dairy cows. The virus has already caused the deaths of more than 120 million birds across the country since 2022. Stephanie Sy reports on efforts in Colorado to keep the dairy workforce safe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to bird flu that's spreading among the state's dairy cows. The virus has already caused the deaths of more than 120 million birds across the country since 2022. Stephanie Sy reports on efforts in Colorado to keep the dairy workforce safe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Major General Bobby Hollingsworth discusses his life journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a fighter pilot in the U.S. Marines. He describes how he was inspired to pursue aviation from a young age after seeing his uncle, a WWII Hellcat pilot. Hollingsworth discusses the discipline and work ethic he developed from growing up on a farm, Read More › Source

Electors in every state and the District of Columbia are in their respective state Capitols to cast ballots for president and vice president. Jordan Wilkie explains there’s just one more step before president-elect Donald Trump is cleared to take office. Sixteen states have seen outbreaks of avian influenza among dairy cows, posing a risk to consumers of raw dairy products and nearby poultry farms. Kiley Koscinski at WESA in Pittsburgh reports, Pennsylvania dairy farms have so far evaded an outbreak. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A topic a little outside our wheelhouse but that affects many dairy producers revolves around nuisance bird populations. We invited an expert in this field, Ernie Colboth, a Disease Biologist with USDA Wildlife Services, to explore this more in the latest STtalks! Learn about the impacts these birds have on dairy cattle, the economic losses they can cause, and the methods USDA employs to reduce these populations. For dairy producers looking for practical solutions, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge and actionable advice! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:35 Ernie's Background and Role at USDA02:53 Impact of Birds on Dairy Cattle05:08 Avian Influenza and Biosecurity Measures07:17 Economic Impact of Bird Infestations09:17 Bird Control Methods and Implementation15:37 Advice for Dairy Producers16:43 Contact Information and Conclusion

Dairy Farm owner and agriculture salesman Jeff Ansel calls in to talk about the potential switch to no-till farming and other processing issues.

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation. Part 3: This discussion includes: Detailed Operating and Buy-Sell Agreements Addressing Housing Policies Compensation and Roles in Family Farms Involving Spouses and Significant Others Bringing in Non-Family Members Meet the Panelists: ·   Dennis, Jeni & Alan Oechscner, Oechsner Farms: This seventh-generation dairy farm is currently navigating a 10-year ownership transition plan. The Oechsners will share their firsthand experience managing multi-generational dynamics while embracing modern technologies. ·   Jared Holt, President & CEO, Ascent Financial: Jared brings deep financial expertise to the discussion, offering insights on estate planning, debt management and financial strategies for long-term success. ·   Steve Schwoerer, VP of Dairy Lending, Compeer Financial: With over 31 years in dairy lending, Steve will share his knowledge on financial planning for transitions and how Compeer supports dairy clients through the process. This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial. Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Their dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers' financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact: Compeer Dairy Industry Experts   Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation. Part 2: This discussion includes: Buying out the senior generation while bringing in the junior generation Tax strategies Business planning Meet the Panelists: ·   Dennis, Jeni & Alan Oechscner, Oechsner Farms: This seventh-generation dairy farm is currently navigating a 10-year ownership transition plan. The Oechsners will share their firsthand experience managing multi-generational dynamics while embracing modern technologies. ·   Jared Holt, President & CEO, Ascent Financial: Jared brings deep financial expertise to the discussion, offering insights on estate planning, debt management and financial strategies for long-term success. ·   Steve Schwoerer, VP of Dairy Lending, Compeer Financial: With over 31 years in dairy lending, Steve will share his knowledge on financial planning for transitions and how Compeer supports dairy clients through the process. This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial. Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Their dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers' financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact: Compeer Dairy Industry Experts   Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series

In this special 3-part series, we are bringing you the Tanbark Talk held at World Dairy Expo, where we delved into the complexities of transitioning a farm to the next generation. Part 1: This discussion includes: How and why the Oechscners started their 10-year plan to transition their farm to the seventh generation Building a transition team Defining roles in the business Assessing financial feasibility Meet the Panelists: Dennis, Jeni & Alan Oechscner, Oechsner Farms: This seventh-generation dairy farm is currently navigating a 10-year ownership transition plan. The Oechsners will share their firsthand experience managing multi-generational dynamics while embracing modern technologies. Jared Holt, President & CEO, Ascent Financial: Jared brings deep financial expertise to the discussion, offering insights on estate planning, debt management and financial strategies for long-term success. Steve Schwoerer, VP of Dairy Lending, Compeer Financial: With over 31 years in dairy lending, Steve will share his knowledge on financial planning for transitions and how Compeer supports dairy clients through the process. This episode is sponsored by Compeer Financial. Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural America. Their dairy team brings world-class expertise and tailored solutions to support dairy producers' financial goals and lending needs. For more information, contact: Compeer Dairy Industry Experts   Dairy Industry Articles: Gain knowledge from subject matter experts Navigating the Dairy Industry Today: On-Demand Webinar Series Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen and guest Susan Heim discuss pivotal steps to elevate your dairy farm into a professional business through strategic branding.  Peggy and Susan outline five key steps to create and sustain a brand that resonates with your employees, community, and consumers.  With real-life examples from local farms like the Eberts and Pagel's Ponderosa, they illustrate how effective branding fosters community engagement, employee loyalty, and an impactful market presence. Whether you're a dairy farmer looking to transform your business or maintain employee retention, this episode provides actionable insights and strategies designed to uplevel your dairy farm. Connect with Susan Hiem, owner and president of Quali-T: 920-845-1010 ext. 101 sheim@qualitinc.com Learn more about how Quali-T provides branding solutions, work wear, reflective gear and other customized merchandise for farms and agribusinesses: https://qualitinc.espwebsite.com/ Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

Labour's first Budget for 14 years will be delivered by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves today. The treasury's confirmed a 6.7% increase in the national living wage for UK workers over the age of 21 and the national minimum wage for those aged between 18 and 20 will also rise by £1.40 per hour. It's one decision that could impact farming businesses. We look at what other potential announcements could mean for agriculture and the environment.The government's set out new criteria for meeting nature conservation targets. Environment secretary Steve Reed made the announcement at the COP16 biodviersity summit in Columbia. He renewed the pledge to protect 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. However the government's said it's had to revise its estimate of how much land in England currently qualifies for those targets - it's not as much as it thought. Sites of Special Scientific Interest will only count when they're in a favourable or recovering condition.All week we've been unearthing stories of farms that are paying close attention to the health of their soils. Today we hear from a dairy farmer in west Wales who's turned his back on what he describes as a 'traditional farming system' to take a more ecological approach, working from the ground up. It's almost Halloween and for some farmers, pumpkin picking has become an important diversification but bad weather has ruined the harvest in parts of the country this year. One grower in Cheshire had to cancel his pumpkin festival, which accounts for half the farm's annual income. However the family's turned to its orchards and is holding an apple festival instead.Presenter = Steffan Messenger Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Several Utah dairy farms are in quarantine... after state officials found cases of avian flu. Joining me live is state veterinarian Dr. Daniel Christensen.

Dr. Nydam and Dr. LeBlanc recently presented a Real Science Lecture series webinar on August 7, 2024. You can find the link at balchem.com/realscience.Dr. Nydam begins with a brief overview of the concepts from the webinar, all based on understanding and applying information from different types of studies on dairy cow health and performance. Dr. LeBlanc adds that their goal was for the webinar to be useful for people with a practical interest in feeding and managing dairy cows. (4:12)Dr. Nydam discusses different kinds of bias in research. All studies have some bias in them to some extent, so acknowledging, understanding, and trying to control for that is critical. Dr. LeBlanc describes survivor bias. In the simplest sense, survivor bias can be thought of as who's alive to be counted. Several examples of treatments causing animals to be removed from a study or a disease-causing animal to be culled are reviewed. (8:24)Both guests give their perspectives on p-values. A p-value tells us the likelihood that a difference we observe is due to chance. There is active discussion among statisticians about the value of the p-value. Both guests suggest that readers should also assess if the study achieved its stated objective and if there are adequate numbers and statistical power to accomplish the objective. P-values help us understand risk. A p-value does not tell us how big a difference was or how important it was. (18:54)Dr. Nydam reviews that there are two kinds of study validity: internal and external. Internal validity centers around whether the study was done well. Was bias controlled for and acknowledged? External validity centers around the applicability of the study to the population. Is a study about mastitis treatment in water buffalo in Pakistan applicable to a dairy farm on Prince Edward Island? Peer review usually takes care of assessing internal validity. External validity is more up to each reader to decide for themself and their situation. (29:01)Scott asks about the validity of field trial data. Both guests acknowledge the inherent challenges of field studies and give some tips for success. Field studies can often have good external validity because they are done under real-world conditions and at scale. (34:23)The group dives into the topic of industry-funded research. Some skepticism and cynicism about industry-funded research exists. Industry-funded studies are not inherently biased and often answer important and tangible questions for decision-makers. Government funding is rarely going to be awarded to that type of research, but the industry is interested in funding it. If an industry-funded study is well done by a reputable researcher, has gone through the peer review process, and has appropriate methods and statistics, Dr. Nydam sees no reason to discount it. (44:56)Dr. LeBlanc reminds the audience when looking at different kinds of studies and different types of evidence, it's not that one type of study is good and others are not. For a lot of health-related research in dairy cows, we don't have good (or any) experimental models to reproduce things in a white-coat-science sort of way. At the end of the day, dairy managers and industry professionals want to know if a particular piece of science, whether experimental or observational, helps them make decisions on the farm. There's a place for all types of research as long as it's done well and in its own right.  (42:08)Dr. Nydam's key takeaway is that it's important to remember to keep some faith in science and have open discourse about it as we move forward in dairy science and as a society. Dr. LeBlanc reminds the audience that even if listeners are not in the business of designing, conducting, and analyzing their experiments, they do not need to feel powerless as consumers of scientific information. It can and should be something they can engage with and use to answer questions in their day-to-day jobs. (52:26)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

From World Dairy Expo 2024: If you missed this session live, get up to speed now on H5N1 as we hear from Dr. Jason Lombard from Colorado State University, who has been studying this virus since its early findings, Dr. Keith Poulson from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Miquela Hanselman, who leads the FARM program's Biosecurity efforts and dairy producers Brent Wilson from Michigan who opens up on how H5N1 impacted his herd and what others can learn from this experience, alongside California producer Brian Pacheco, as he strategizes to protect his herd from the outbreak in his area that has not yet touched his dairy. Subscribe to Uplevel Dairy Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ6xQHZ0A1vqHKjRkbtJJA Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe

Dr. Mitloehner recently presented a Real Science Lecture series webinar on September 11, 2024. You can find the link at balchem.com/realscience.Dr. Mitloehner begins by sharing about the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center at UC Davis. He established this research and communications center to combat misinformation about sustainability in animal agriculture. One unique aspect of the center is a diverse communications department composed of journalists, filmmakers, and social media experts to help scientists communicate with the public. (6:04)In his webinar, Dr. Mitloehner focused on animal agriculture's impact on the climate, particularly via methane. Unlike other greenhouse gasses, methane is not only naturally produced, but it is naturally destroyed. It remains in the atmosphere for about a decade before it's gone. Thus, if mitigation methods are used to reduce methane production, warming will also be reduced. (8:10)Dr. Mitloehner urges continued research into improving efficiency in food production and encourages animal agriculture to take the public along with them. Stop portraying a romanticized, Old McDonald's version of animal agriculture and show what happens. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and we should be proud of the improved efficiencies and sustainability of livestock production. (13:00)What methods or strategies exist for reducing methane? Improved ration development and feed additives to reduce enteric methane are two examples. Methane production is a heritable trait, and genomic tests are available to identify low and high methane producers. There are also ways to reduce methane loss from animal manure, including capping lagoons with anaerobic digesters to capture the gas and turn it into fuel. Dr. Mitloeher encourages voluntary, incentive-based adoption policies for these practices. (16:03)Dr. Nichols describes her work in the Netherlands on reducing nitrogen losses. Improving protein efficiencies in livestock in the Netherlands is motivated first by environmental concerns and then by cost. Dr. Nichols expects increasing pressure in the United States regarding nitrogen load, particularly in intensively farmed portions of the country. At UC Davis, she plans to continue researching protein efficiency in dairy cows with a particular interest in optimal digestible amino acid profiles for efficient milk production.  (24:00)Reducing crude protein in the diet decreases the amount of nitrogen excreted. As protein concentrations become more marginal, that's when the composition of protein and amino acid in the diet becomes more critical. Dr. Nichols has found in infusion studies that the closer the digestible amino acid profile is to the essential amino acids in casein, the more efficiently dietary protein is incorporated into milk protein. (32:20)Dr. Mitloehner gives some examples of some of the incentives available to farms in California, as well as what he sees for the future in this regard. Many of the incentives are based on improvement, which discourages early adoption and Dr. Mitloehner feels this is nonsensical. Dr. Nichols chimes in with some of the incentive-type structures in Europe. (36:21)An additional challenge in the greenhouse gas arena is that there is no standardized protocol or measurement technique to quantify emissions. There is some effort from the United Nations and FAO to standardize some of these measures. Panelists agree that farmers are well served to document what they do and record benchmarks for things where measurements are standardized.  (44:49)Conor's big takeaway from this discussion is that research is ongoing to create a low emission sustainable future for animal agriculture that will take collaboration between science and policy to implement widely. Dr. Nichols reminds the audience that nitrogen should absolutely be on the minds of farmers and nutritionists, not only from an economic perspective of your ration, but also because of its environmental impact. Nitrogen mitigation is far more complicated than methane mitigation. She encourages listeners to take a look at the composition of the protein in their rations, keep good records, and see what kind of marginal changes you can make. Dr. Mitloehner encourages the audience to remember that environmental issues are intertwined with animal health and the profitability of an operation. We should not ignore emissions, we should become part of a solution. Lastly, we must find ways to effectively communicate about animal agriculture to the public. (55:31)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.

Dr. Kononoff's lab evaluated retrospective feed mixing records collected from eight commercial dairy farms. Data was divided into 28-day periods. Daily TMR nutrient deviation was automatically calculated from feed mixer data as the actual amount of a nutrient fed minus the target amount from the original diet formulation, divided by the target amount. (5:43)Crude protein, NDF, fat, and starch were the nutrients evaluated in the study. (13:40)Variation was positive for every nutrient on the vast majority of days. Dr. Kononoff attributes that to more feed being delivered than the diet formulation predicted animals would consume. Dry matter intake decreased with increasing positive deviation days in starch and increased with increasing positive deviation days in crude protein. NDF deviation did not impact dry matter intake. A narrow range of diets was used in the dataset and the main byproduct feed was high in NDF, so Dr. Kononoff speculates that there was not a wide enough range in NDF to have an impact on intakes. (17:04)Milk yield increased with increased positive deviation days in starch and decreased with increased positive deviation days in NDF. The pregnancy rate increased with increasing positive deviation days in fat and decreased with increasing positive deviation days in crude protein. Unfortunately, milk urea nitrogen data was not available in the dataset to further investigate the crude protein/pregnancy rate relationship. (20:44)There was little farm-to-farm variation in the data. (25:08)As positive deviation days for starch increased, so did feed conversion. The opposite effect was noted for NDF. As positive deviation days for fat increased, feed conversion decreased. This result was a little surprising, as delivering more energy usually improves feed conversion. However, the dataset did not specify the source of fat or fatty acid profile, so there may have been some rumen fermentation interference from fat. (27:08)Dr. Kononoff thinks it would be interesting to track individual cows through lactation and collect nutrient variation data. Dr. Weiss asks if the correlation between daily farm milk yield and nutrient variation was evaluated; it was not. Dr. Kononoff agrees that there may be some additional correlations that would be interesting to run. (33:22)In closing, Dr. Zimmerman commends Dr. Kononoff's work in tackling such a large dataset and looks forward to follow-up research. Dr. Weiss agrees and encourages more data extraction from the dataset. He was also very surprised at the low farm-to-farm variation observed and speculated if that would hold up if there were more variation in diets. Dr. Kononoff reminds the audience that taking a look at the TMR beyond the paper ration and digging into mixing techniques and TMR consistency is as important as evaluating bulk tank information or the amount of milk shipped. (37:20)You can find this episode's journal club paper from the Journal of Dairy Science Communications here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910224000760Please 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.