The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Dr. Michael Hutjens, Professor Emeritus of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, shares his vast expertise in dairy nutrition. He discusses the crucial role of rumen buffers in enhancing cow health and optimizing fermentation. Listeners will learn about various buffer sources and their benefits, especially under heat stress. Dr. Hutjens emphasizes the importance of dietary balance and understanding buffer components for better cow productivity. With decades of experience, he provides practical strategies for integrating buffers into dairy rations.

Hello there!In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Gail Carpenter from Iowa State University approaches the intriguing world of calf nutrition. Dr. Carpenter sheds light on impactful dietary interventions and evolving market trends. Her insights on effective colostrum management and her unique approach to 'beef on dairy' research offer valuable knowledge for professionals in the dairy nutrition industry. Don't miss the chance to hear this insightful discussion—tune in to the episode on all major platforms."Calves are an asset to your farm; they should be treated with the same quality of care as your heifers." Meet the guest: Dr. Gail Carpenter is the State Dairy Extension Specialist at Iowa State University, where she combines her extensive experience in dairy and beef cattle nutrition with a passion for research and education. Holding a Ph.D. in Animal Science, Dr. Carpenter plays a pivotal role in shaping dairy nutrition strategies.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:50) Introduction(02:09) Early-life nutrition(03:58) Beef-dairy cross calves(05:49) Research challenges(08:59) Colostrum management(11:03) Key takeaways for producers(13:07) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Virtus Nutrition- Volac𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Victor Cabrera from the University of Wisconsin-Madison introduces the Dairy Print tool, a new resource created to help dairy farmers easily evaluate and manage their carbon footprint. He shares how this accessible tool simplifies the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while still upholding scientific accuracy. Tune in to this engaging conversation, available on all major platforms, to learn more about the future of sustainable dairy farming."We developed Dairy Print to assess the carbon footprint of dairy farms in a user-friendly way."Meet the guest: Dr. Victor Cabrera is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on dairy farm management and economic decision-making. With over 16 years at UW-Madison, he develops decision-support tools integrating biology, physiology, and economics. He holds a PhD and MS from the University of Florida. Dr. Cabrera’s work enhances data-driven decisions in the dairy industry. What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:43) Introduction(01:20) Dairy Print overview(02:31) User-friendly design(05:27) Practical applications(07:29) Manure management insights(09:08) Scenario simulation(11:44) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Virtus Nutrition- Volac𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Hsueh-lui Ho, from Volac, discusses the critical impacts of mycotoxins and endotoxins on dairy cattle gut health. The conversation highlights the adverse effects of these toxins, strategies for prevention, and the importance of maintaining gut integrity. Listen now!"Mycotoxins damage the gut lining, leading to a leaky gut and further health issues for the animal."Meet the guest: Dr. Hsueh-lui Ho holds a PhD in Microbiology with a focus on Infectious Diseases and Mycology from Imperial College London. She also earned a Master's degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of Kent and a BSc in Biochemistry from Imperial College London. Currently, she serves as the Research Manager for Feed Additives at Volac International, where she applies her extensive knowledge of microbiology to improve animal health and productivity. What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:57) Introduction(02:10) Mycotoxins effects(03:43) Gut health(05:51) Microbiome & immunity(11:48) Mycotoxin issues(13:12) Early signs(15:05) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:Volac* Adisseo- Evonik- Virtus Nutrition𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Van Os from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discusses the significance of proper cow handling techniques and shares an innovative educational tool her team has developed. She highlights how better cow handling not only boosts animal welfare but also improves dairy farm efficiency. Don’t miss out on the latest methods being used to train dairy professionals in stockmanship—available now on all major platforms."We have seen from past studies that proper cow handling reduces the risk of cow injuries, human injuries, and cow fear and stress, which in turn can improve milk yield as well as parlor efficiency."Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Van Os is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her PhD from the University of California-Davis and did postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia. Her work focuses on improving dairy animal welfare through biological and social science.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:24) Introduction(01:54) Cow handling importance(03:38) New educational tool(05:00) Developing the idea(05:59) Evaluation of training(07:39) Experienced workers(09:13) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Volac- Virtus Nutrition- Evonik𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jim Drackley from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shares insights into the vital role amino acids play in the metabolism of transition dairy cows. He emphasizes how providing the right amino acid balance before calving can significantly influence the health and milk production of cows after calving. Don’t miss this informative discussion on optimizing dairy cow nutrition for better productivity. Tune in now on all major platforms."We've conducted studies on rumen-protected methionine and lysine, showing positive effects on intake and production after calving, particularly with prepartum supplementation of rumen-protected methionine."Meet the guest: Dr. James K. Drackley is a Professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he has been a faculty member for over 35 years. With a PhD in Nutritional Physiology from Iowa State University, his research focuses on improving the nutritional management of dairy cows during the dry period and transition to lactation, as well as optimizing the nutritional management of calves to enhance their health and growth. What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:10) Introduction(01:45) Amino acid metabolism(03:08) Body protein mobilization(04:10) Nutritional interventions(06:11) Rumen protected methionine(07:46) Lysine and milk yield(09:12) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Volac- Virtus Nutrition𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jim Drackley from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shares his wealth of research on the nutritional physiology of transition cows. He talks about the crucial shifts in energy metabolism that occur from the dry period to early lactation and highlights practical nutritional strategies to boost cow health and productivity. Tune in now on all major platforms."Controlled energy diets during the dry period prevent overfeeding and reduce fat mobilization post-calving."Meet the guest: Dr. James K. Drackley is a Professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he has been a faculty member for over 35 years. With a PhD in Nutritional Physiology from Iowa State University, his research focuses on improving the nutritional management of dairy cows during the dry period and transition to lactation, as well as optimizing the nutritional management of calves to enhance their health and growth. What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:18) Introduction(03:05) Energy metabolism changes(05:18) Immune system challenges(07:16) Nutritional interventions(08:47) Postpartum feeding(12:08) Postpartum diets(12:43) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Volac- Virtus Nutrition𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Katherine Swanson, from Cal Poly, shares her insights into using byproducts in dairy cattle nutrition. Dr. Swanson discusses her research on how various agricultural byproducts, like almond hulls and rice bran, are used in California's livestock industry, focusing on their availability, variability, and economic impact. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform."Price, variability, and availability were ranked as the top concerns by nutritionists when considering the use of byproducts."Meet the guest: Dr. Katherine Swanson, lecturer at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, specializes in dairy science. She holds a Ph.D. from Oregon State University and an M.S. from UC Davis. With over five years of postdoctoral research at UC Davis and industry experience, Dr. Swanson excels in dairy cattle nutrition.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:20) Introduction(01:58) Byproducts in California(03:20) Regional distribution(05:26) Nutrient variability concerns(06:36) Economic impact of byproducts(07:31) Year-round availability(09:26) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Evonik- Volac- Virtus Nutrition𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: Dairy Nutrition Podcast ShowInstagram: Dairy CampusLinkedIn: Dairy Campus

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Daniel Rico continue the discution on the importance of optimizing omega-3 and vitamin D3 supplementation to enhance dairy cow health and production. He explores how these nutrients can improve cows' ability to manage stress while maintaining optimal milk quality. Dr. Rico also highlights key research outcomes and emphasizes the need for future research to refine nutrient strategies for various production scenarios. Tune in to gain valuable insights into optimizing nutrient requirements and the impactful role of omega-3 during stress periods. Listen now on all major platforms."Omega-3 supplementation isn't just about providing more; it's about finding the optimal dose that maximizes benefits while protecting the rumen and ensuring positive production outcomes."Meet the guest: Dr. Daniel E. Rico is the Research Director and Scientist at CRSAD in Quebec, where he has been leading innovative research since 2017. With a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Animal Nutrition from Penn State University, Dr. Rico's work focuses on lipid regulation and nutritional strategies to enhance dairy cow health. His experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Université Laval and extensive research on lipid synthesis in ruminants.Click here to read the full research article!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:19) Introduction(01:53) Nutrient requirements(02:54) Immune challenges(03:50) Omega-3 research(05:08) Nutritional strategies(07:30) Future research directions(11:20) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies: Virtus Nutrition* Adisseo- Volac- Evonik

Hello there!In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Daniel Rico explores some challenges of dairy cattle nutrition, mainly focusing on mitigating stress in cows. Dr. Rico discusses the importance of glucose during stress periods and how targeted nutritional strategies, including vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids, can enhance immune response and mitigate the effects of heat stress. Tune in to explore cutting-edge research and practical solutions for optimizing dairy cow productivity and health."Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in synthesizing molecules that regulate the immune response, which can be pivotal during stress."Meet the guest: Dr. Daniel E. Rico is the Research Director and Scientist at CRSAD in Quebec, where he has been leading innovative research since 2017. With a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Animal Nutrition from Penn State University, Dr. Rico's work focuses on lipid regulation and nutritional strategies to enhance dairy cow health. His experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Université Laval and extensive research on lipid synthesis in ruminants.Click here to read the full research article!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:21) Introduction(04:34) Nutrition & cow health(05:48) Addressing heat stress(06:29) Glucose during stress(07:45) Vitamin D3 benefits(10:21) Omega-3 fatty acids(10:58) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies: Virtus Nutrition* Adisseo- Volac- Evonik