In this episode, we showcase student research at the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Abstracts can be found here: ADSA 2025 Annual Meeting

Abstract 2186: Effects of feeding alternative forage silages on early lactation performance and gas production in multiparous Holstein cows. (00:15)

Guests: Barbara Dittrich and Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Co-Host: Dr. Clay Zimmerman, Balchem

Barbara substituted rye silage, triticale silage, rye-camelina-hairy vetch silage, and triticale-camalina-hairy vetch silage to replace 10% of the alfalfa silage in the control diet for her experimental diets. Dry matter intake and gas production were similar across diets. Average milk yield was higher in the rye mix silage group compared to the triticale mix silage group, but no treatment was different than the control.  

Abstract 1602: Optimizing starch concentrations in low-forage diets. (11:22)

Guests: Irie Moussiaux and Dr. Kirby Krogstad, Ohio State University

Co-host: Dr. Jeff Elliott, Balchem

Irie investigated different levels of starch in a low-forage diet (12.5% NDF) by replacing soybean hulls with corn to yield 20%, 25%, or 30% starch. Dry matter intake and milk production were the same for all three starch concentrations; however, the low starch diet had the highest milk fat yield and energy-corrected milk yield. 

Abstract 2183: Effects of partial replacement of corn and oat silages with extracted stevia plant on production, behavior, and digestibility in dairy cows. (17:05)

Guests: Mariana Marino and Dr. Jose Santos, University of Florida

Co-host: Dr. Clay Zimmerman, Balchem

Mariana fed stevia plant byproduct as a replacement for corn and oat silage in lactating cow diets. All diets had 40% grain and 60% forage. Stevia byproduct was included at 0, 25%, or 40% of diet dry matter. The byproduct is of very fine particle size and is relatively high in lignin. This resulted in higher dry matter intake, but lower milk production for the highest stevia diet. 

Abstract 2472: Evaluating feed sorting behavior and TMR composition in roughage intake control feeding systems. (26:38)

Guests: Sophia Green and Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Co-host: Dr. Ryan Pralle, Balchem

Sophia evaluated feed sorting in a research intake control feeding system (RIC bins). Feed sorting primarily occurred in the last 12 hours of the feed day, and particle size was smaller at the end of the day than earlier. Compared to fresh feed at hour zero, the chemical composition of the diet did not change throughout the feed day. RIC bins did not introduce additional variance in nutrient consumption. 

Abstract 1603: Assessing an ex vivo assay with gastrointestinal tissue sections to investigate mucosal immune responses in dairy calves. (35:24)

Guests: Paiton McDonald and Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State University

Paiton challenged explants from the ileum and mid-jejunum in the lab with rotavirus or E. coli compared to a control. Pathogen stimulation increased mRNA abundance of TNF and IL6 above control. Ileal sections secreted more cytokines than jejunal sections. 

Abstract 1466: The short-term effect of increasing doses of palmitic and stearic acid on plasma fatty acid concentration and mammary arteriovenous difference in Holstein cows. (40:17)

Guests: Alanna Staffin and Dr. Kevin Harvatine, Penn State University

Co-host: Dr. Jeff Elliott, Balchem

Alanna fed mid-lactation cows 0, 150, 300, 500, or 750 grams of palmitic acid, stearic acid, or no supplement control. Palmitic acid increased milk fat yield at lower doses compared to stearic acid. Alanna found that the mammary gland increases its arteriovenous (AV) difference and uptake of palmitic acid when higher concentrations are provided, but AV difference and uptake of stearic acid did not change. 

Abstract 2006: Does hay improve performance in pair-housed dairy calves? (50:00)

Guests: Gillian Plaugher and Dr. Melissa Cantor, Penn State University

Gillian fed pelleted hay to pair-housed dairy calves along with milk replacer and calf starter. Control calves received milk replacer and calf starter only. Hay-fed pairs grew faster than controls after day 21 and were heavier at day 70. Hay feeding did not impact calf starter DMI or feed efficiency. 

Abstract 1463: Dietary metabolizable protein and palmitic and oleic acids affect milk production in early lactation dairy cows. (1:02:03)

Guests: Jair Parales-Giron and Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University

Co-host: Dr. Clay Zimmerman

Jair fed two different levels of metabolizable protein and 3 different levels of supplemental fatty acids from 1 to 22 days in milk followed by a common diet to evaluate carryover effects to day 50. Metabolizable protein and fatty acid supplementation had additive effects on milk production. Cows fed the highest dose of both metabolizable protein and fatty acids produced 8.9 kg more energy-corrected milk per day compared to the low metabolizable protein diet without fatty acid supplementation.