
The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
Learn dairy nutrition from the brightest minds of the global dairy industry โ in 9 minutes.If you are a dairy nutritionist who wants to stay up to date with all that is working in the industry, but doesnโt know how to start, doesnโt have the time, or feel most courses out there donโt deliver, then you have come to the right place.The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is specially designed by and for professionals just like yourself. With it, you can effortlessly have access to the thoughts of the most brilliant minds in our industry โ all while going about your routine and saving your time.
Latest episodes

May 8, 2025 โข 17min
Dr. Antonio Gallo: Mycotoxins in Dairy Feed | Ep. 81
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- Afimilk๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ท๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ.Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

May 1, 2025 โข 12min
Dr. Mutian Niu: Exhalomics & Dairy Cows | Ep. 80
Dr. Mutian Niu, an Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, specializes in ruminant nutrition and precision livestock farming. He introduces exhalomics, a fascinating method of analyzing volatile organic compounds from cattle breath to gain insights into rumen health. The discussion delves into how this innovative technique can reduce methane emissions and optimize dairy production. Dr. Niu also highlights the importance of data science in enhancing sustainability within the industry, showcasing advancements in non-invasive health monitoring for dairy cows.

Apr 24, 2025 โข 9min
Dr. Andrew LaPierre: Isoacids in Cattle Diet | Ep. 79
In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Andrew LaPierre, Dairy Technical Specialist at Zinpro Corporation, discusses the role of isoacids in improving dairy cattle nutrition. He explores how supplementing isoacids can boost fiber digestibility, enhance dry matter intake, and optimize energy balance, leading to improved lactation performance. Dr. LaPierre also highlights the potential economic benefits for dairy farmers. Listen now on all major platforms!โIsoacids are prerequisite nutrients for fiber-digesting bacteria in the rumen, improving fiber digestibility and fermentation.โMeet the guest: Dr. Andrew LaPierre, Ph.D., is a Dairy Technical Specialist at Zinpro Corporation. He completed his post-doctoral work at Cornell Universityโs Van Amburgh Lab from 2021-2023. Dr. LaPierreโs research focuses on fiber kinetics, rumen function, and isoacid feeding. With a wealth of experience in dairy cattle nutrition, Dr. LaPierre offers valuable insights into optimizing dairy cattle production and health.Click here to read the full research articles:Production responses of multiparous dairy cattle with differing prepartum muscle reserves and supplementation of branched-chain volatile fatty acidsMolecular signatures of longissimus dorsi differ between dairy cattle based on prepartum muscle reserves and branched-chain volatile fatty acid supplementationWhat will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:28) Introduction(02:31) Isoacids insights(03:25) Transition cow benefits(05:37) Post-transition period effects(06:10) Effects on milk production(07:12) Economic benefits of supplementation(08:55) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies: Zinpro* Adisseo- Volac- Afimilk- Kemin- Virtus Nutrition๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ท๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ.Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Apr 17, 2025 โข 13min
Dr. Sabine Mann: Protein Feeding in Transition Cows | Ep. 78
In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Sabine Mann from Cornell University discusses the importance of protein feeding during the transition period for dairy cows. She shares new insights on protein metabolism and how it affects postpartum milk production and overall cow health. Learn how diet strategies during this time can improve productivity and resilience in dairy herds. Tune in now on all major platforms!"In the postpartum diet, cows used the extra protein for milk production, making more milk without major changes in body weight or condition."Meet the guest: Dr. Sabine Mann is an Associate Professor at Cornell University, where she focuses on dairy cattle nutrition. With a background in veterinary medicine from Germany and a Ph.D. in veterinary preventive medicine from Cornell, her research emphasizes the intersection of metabolism, nutrition, and immunology to improve cow resilience.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:16) Introduction(02:04) Dr. Mann's background(04:06) Transition period strategies(05:51) Protein feeding strategies(07:40) Prepartum vs. postpartum diet(09:40) Protein & colostrum production(13:05) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Virtus Nutrition- Volac- Afimilk- Zinpro- Kemin๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ท๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ.Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Apr 10, 2025 โข 8min
Dr. Robin White: Reducing Emissions in Dairy | Ep. 77
In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Robin White delves into the dairy industry's impact on climate change. She highlights strategies to minimize greenhouse gas emissions while emphasizing the essential nutrients dairy provides. The discussion reveals that eliminating dairy cows would only cut agricultural emissions by 30%. Dr. White also unpacks the delicate balance between nutrition and environmental impact, advocating for sustainable practices that can enhance both dairy economics and nutrient efficiency.

Apr 3, 2025 โข 14min
Dr. Elliot Neto: Amino Acids & Dairy Efficiency | Ep. 76
Dr. Elliot Neto, Ruminant Technical Services Manager at Kemin Industries and a dairy nutrition expert, dives into the vital roles of amino acids in optimizing dairy efficiency. He highlights how balancing amino acids enhances feed efficiency and milk production, while also addressing nitrogen excretion through innovative, rumen-protected technology. The conversation underscores the importance of particle size and nutrient delivery for maximizing bioavailability and ultimately driving sustainability in dairy operations. Discover how these advancements can revolutionize your dairy practices!

Mar 27, 2025 โข 10min
Dr. Jennifer Van Os: Air Speeds & Cow Comfort - Part 2 | Ep. 75
Dr. Jennifer Van Os, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, dives into the fascinating connection between air speeds and cow comfort. She reveals how optimized barn ventilation not only reduces heat stress but also improves cow behavior and milk production. Discover groundbreaking findings on the importance of cooling systems, including fans, which enhance lying times and overall well-being, making a significant impact on dairy farming practices.

Mar 20, 2025 โข 11min
Dr. Jennifer Van Os: Heat Stress in Cows - Part 1 | Ep. 74
Dr. Jennifer Van Os, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, dives deep into heat stress in dairy cows. She discusses how thermal discomfort can affect cow welfare and production, emphasizing early signs like increased respiration rates. Van Os also outlines effective cooling strategies for various climates and production systems. By prioritizing thermal comfort, farmers can enhance animal welfare while ensuring productivity.

Mar 13, 2025 โข 13min
Dr. William Brown: High-Protein Corn Co-Products | Ep. 73
Dr. William Brown, an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University specializing in dairy cattle nutrition, shares fascinating insights about high-protein corn co-products for dairy calf starters. He discusses how these ingredients can boost calf growth and feed efficiency while being cost-effective. The conversation delves into amino acid balance and innovative high-protein co-products like Protomax, underlining their importance in enhancing digestibility and overall calf health. It's a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in dairy nutrition!

Mar 6, 2025 โข 12min
Dr. Jeffrey Firkins: Fatty Acids & Fiber - Part 2 | Ep. 72
Dr. Jeffrey Firkins, a leading expert in dairy cattle nutrition from The Ohio State University, dives into the fascinating interplay between fatty acids and fiber. He highlights the impact of palmitic acid and the benefits of citrus pulp, emphasizing its ability to enhance digestibility and milk production. Firkins also discusses how excessive fat can disrupt rumen function, while advocating for optimized diets to boost sustainability and productivity in dairy farming. His insights illuminate the future of effective dairy nutrition.