In this episode, we feature some of the winners of poster and oral presentation competitions at the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Abstracts can be found here: ADSA 2025 Annual Meeting

MS Oral Presentation, Production

Guests: Trinidad Fernandez-Wallace and Dr. Lautaro Rostoll-Cangiano, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Co-host: Dr. Laura Niehues, Balchem

Abstract 1218: Immunity at the crossroads of cellular metabolism: Navigating T helper shifts in the periparturient period of dairy cows. (0:08)

Trinidad found that T-helper cell metabolism and proliferation were both upregulated after calving, which may impact the effectiveness of immune responses during the transition period. The group discusses if T-helper cells could be used as a marker of inflammation in the future and how Trinidad’s results may have been different if samples had been collected between 3 and 28 days after calving.

PhD Oral Presentation, Production

Guests: Natnicha Taechachokevivat and Dr. Rafael Neves, Purdue University

Co-host: Dr. Sion Richards, Balchem 

Abstract 1107: Relationships between systemic inflammation, subclinical hypocalcemia, and hyperketonemia in clinically healthy Holstein cows. (8:07)

Natnicha investigated the association of plasma haptoglobin (an inflammatory marker) on days 1 and 3 in milk with subclinical hypocalcemia and hyperketonemia. Systemic inflammation appears to be associated with subclinical hypocalcemia and hyperketonemia and reduced milk yield in multiparous cows. When multiparous cows exhibited both inflammation and metabolic disease indicators, they produced less milk; however, when primiparous cows exhibited both inflammation and metabolic disease indicators, they produced more milk. 

3 Minute Thesis

Guests: Savitha Saikumar and Dr. Diwaker Vyas, University of Florida

Co-host: Dr. Laura Niehues, Balchem

Abstract 1548: Effects of peripartal supplementation of prototype postbiotics on intake, rumen fermentation, colostrum quality, and performance in transition dairy cows. (15:14)

Savitha investigated the effects of a prototype postbiotic supplement in transition cows from 35 days before calving to 63 days after calving. Cows on the postbiotic treatment received 25 grams per day topdressed on their TMR. Before calving, the postbiotic had no effect on dry matter intake, body condition sore, body weight, or total VFAs. After calving, the postbiotic increased dry matter intake and milk yield after 6 weeks, and increased energy-corrected milk and fat-corrected milk with no effect on body weight, body condition score, or rumen fermentation profile.

PhD Poster 

Guest: Amanda Fischer-Tlustos, University of Guelph Abstract 2012: Characterization of dry-period mammary acetate and glucose metabolism and their association with colostrum production in multiparous Holstein cattle. (25:15)

Amanda’s research evaluated acetate and glucose metabolism in the mammary gland during the dry and calving periods to better understand how colostrum is made. Acetate uptake by the udder remained fairly constant until one week before calving, when it started to increase. Glucose uptake did not increase until the onset of calving. Previous lactation milk production and far-off mammary metabolism were both negatively correlated with colostrum production. Amanda hypothesizes that high producing cows who have trouble drying off may have high amounts of metabolic activity in the mammary gland when they should have low activity, which may result in lower colostrum production at the subsequent calving. 

PhD Oral Presentation, Southern Branch Division

Guests: Bridger Sparks and Dr. Clarissa Strieder-Barboza, Texas Tech University

Co-host: Dr. Ryan Pralle, Balchem

Abstract 1215: Adipose tissue neuro-like cell profile changes with ketosis in dairy cows. (33:05)

Bridger investigated neuro-like cells in the adipose tissue of cows with or without subclinical ketosis. The transcriptional profile of neuro-like cells changed when collected from cows with subclinical ketosis, which may indicate a potential regulatory role in adipose tissue metabolism. Perhaps modulation of neuro-like cells could potentially alleviate excessive adipose mobilization in the postpartum period. 

ADSA Graduate Student Division Highlights

Guests: Evelyn Yufeng Lin, North Carolina State University; Miranda Farricker, Cornell University; Conor McCabe, University of California-Davis; Dr. Maurice Eastridge, Ohio State University. (40:45) 

Dr. Eastridge is the chair of the ADSA Foundation and explains some of the Foundation’s current projects. Evelyn and Conor are past presidents of the ADSA Graduate Student Division, and Miranda is the incoming president. Each student gives a bit of background on themselves and their research and describes what the Graduate Student Division does and how they foster new graduate students in ADSA.  

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 [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.