Since our last episode devoted to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in US dairy herds, the virus has passed some concerning new milestones—infecting over 900 herds, more than 60 people (including 1 death), and millions of domestic poultry flocks—and continues to present a pressing concern to dairy scientists and the dairy sector as a whole. To help our listeners keep their finger on the latest science, Matt sits down withDiego Diel, DVM, MS, PhD, a leading virologist and associate professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Diego and his lab team at Cornell were on the testing frontlines during the COVID-19 outbreak and are once again leading the charge in studying, documenting, and understanding H5N1—including via three impactful recent publications inJDS Communications andNature. He and Matt unpack the complexities of the H5N1 virus, explaining its unique components and genetic lineage, how it affects different cells across species, and tracking its evolution from wild birds to spreading in dairy cattle and spillovers to other avian and mammal hosts. The two discuss Diego’s recent work experimentally infecting dairy cows and calves to better understand the dynamics of the virus, detailing how it impacts the mammary gland, leading to severe mastitis and surprisingly high viral loads in milk. They review some of the remaining unknowns of the outbreak: Why haven’t we seen H5N1 in beef cattle? How is the virus spreading regionally from farm to farm? What is theexactroute of infection for dairy cows? Will vaccines be needed to stop its spread? The duo also cautiously explores the pandemic potential from the outbreak, outlining the current presentation of the virus in humans and clarifying that there is currently no human-to-human transmission. Thankfully, we have tools—such as antivirals that are effective against influenza in humans—in the toolbox to fight a pandemic if the virus were to mutate. While reassuring listeners that current data suggest a low risk, Diego emphasizes the importance of continued surveillance, testing, preventive measures, and research to understand how H5N1 might evolve.

This episode ofDairy Digressions is a must-listen for anyone in the dairy sector seeking a comprehensive understanding of what we know today about the H5N1 outbreak.

Episode Twenty-Four Show Notes

Learn more aboutDiego Diel and connect with him onLinkedIn andX/Twitter.  

Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.

Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s next AnnualMeeting?Submit your abstract beforeFebruary 12, 2025, andjoin us in Louisville, Kentucky, this June!

Catch up on the papers, news articles, and podcasts discussed in the episode:

Hot topic: Influenza A H5N1 virus exhibits a broad host range, including dairy cows,JDS Communications(2024)

Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle,Nature(2024)

H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b dynamics in experimentally infected calves and cows,Nature(2025)

The global H5N1 influenza panzootic in mammals,Nature (2025)

Why hasn’t the bird flu pandemic started?,Science(2024)

First bird flu death in U.S. reported in Louisiana,New York Times(2025)

Update: Bird flu in the United States, Infectious Diseases Society of America (2025)

Transmission of a human isolate of clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) virus in ferrets,Nature(2024)

A human isolate of bovine H5N1 is transmissible and lethal in animal models,Nature(2024)

A single mutation in bovine influenza H5N1 hemagglutinin switches specificity to human receptors,Science (2024)

Genetic tracing of market wildlife and viruses at the epicenter of the COVID 19 pandemic,Cell(2024)

Join us for a special Dairy Digressions episode with the co-leads of a just-released special issue of the Journal of Dairy Science, Feed Additives for Methane Mitigation. Guests David Yáñez-Ruiz of the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and André Bannink of Wageningen University & Research introduce listeners to the six articles in the issue, which represent the first outcomes of a flagship project by the Feed and Nutrition Network of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases’ Livestock Research Group. The open-access special issue synthesizes decades of nutrition innovation on methane-reducing feed additives to cover the full spectrum—from additive development to impact measurement. David and André explain the decades of research that have gone into the project, outlining how reducing enteric methane produced by ruminants can contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. While many areas of research, including breeding and genetics, are working on improving sustainability—nutrition and feed additives are currently at the forefront. The guests explain how feed additives modulate methane production to produce substantially less emissions without negative effects on the animal, milk production, or quality and nutrition of the final milk product. David and André delve into the groundbreaking research on 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), seaweed, and more, and look ahead to the exciting potential of novel feed additive combinations in the future. Host Matt Lucy and the guests marvel at how far the science has come even in the past ten years and look ahead to the application of this knowledge for farmers around the globe. In closing, Matt asks, “What skills and perspectives are needed to drive impactful research in this critical area?” for anyone looking to enter methane research. Listen in for a valuable overview of the latest advancements in methane mitigation and a glimpse into the future of sustainable dairy production!

Episode Twenty-Three Show Notes

Learn more about David Yáñez-Ruiz and connect with him on LinkedIn, and learn more about André Bannink.

Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s next Annual

Check out the full Journal of Dairy Science special issue, Feed Additives for Methane Mitigation, below and join members of the project team for a half-day symposia at the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting:

·    Introduction—Special issue on technical guidelines to develop feed additives to reduce enteric methane

·   Recommendations for identification and selection of bioactive compounds to develop antimethanogenic feed additives

·    Recommendations for testing enteric methane-mitigating feed additives in ruminant studies

·    Modeling the impact of feed additives on enteric methane emission of ruminants—Approaches and recommendations

·     A guideline to uncover the mode of action of antimethanogenic feed additives for ruminants

·     Regulatory frameworks and scientific evidence requirements for the authorization of feed additives to mitigate ruminant methane emissions

·        Assessment of feed additives as a strategy to mitigate enteric methane from ruminants—Accounting; How to quantify the mitigating potential of using antimethanogenicfeed additives

You know how delicious dairy foods are, so join us for a conversation with renowned nutrition scientist Connie M. Weaver, PhD, to better understand their essential role in human diets and overall health. Connie, a Distinguished Research Professor at San Diego State University and Distinguished Professor Emerita of Purdue University, a Fellow of the American Heart Association, American Society for Nutrition, and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, joined us for the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting. From her early days as a young scientist with a passion for food to her groundbreaking research on calcium and bone health, Connie shares her insights on the power of whole foods and the dairy matrix. Discover why the dairy matrix is more than just a collection of individual nutrients—the unique and sophisticated balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contributes to optimal health. Matt and Connie particularly focus on calcium and its importance for bone health, including the data on dairy as the critical source of calcium. Calcium is what we are most likely to be deficient in when not consuming the recommended three servings of dairy per day. Connie also shares her expertise in building successful research teams and the value of humility and open-mindedness in scientific inquiry. Tune in for invaluable insights into human nutrition, health, and the science behind the foods we eat!

Episode Twenty-Two Show Notes

Learn more about Connie Weaver and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s next Annual

Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode:

Next-generation health benefits of maternal calcium supplementation, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2024)

Dairy matrix: Is the whole greater than the sum of the parts?, Nutrition Reviews (2021)

Our annual grad student takeover episode is back! This year, Matt sits down with three of the 2024 winners of ADSA’s Graduate Student Division awards: Jason Pronschinske and Philip Eberly, both hailing from the Department of Food Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison under the mentorship of John Lucey, PhD; and Amanda Fischer-Tlustos, joining us from the Department of Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph working with Michael Steele, PhD, and John Cant, PhD. All three of our winners delve into the research they presented at the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting—from the science behind making shelf-stable cheese puffs from pure cheddar to understanding the best anticaking agents for grated mozzarella and measuring the metabolic activity in the mammary gland to map the physiology of the dry period and its impacts on future colostrum production. The group discusses the differences and similarities between the oral and poster competitions, advising future entrants on which to enter based on which skills you want to showcase or strengthen. The guests also explain why they entered the competitions, and agree that turning your science into a compelling story is the key to success. Whether you’re a dairy science student, a mentor for students, or an employer, you’ll want to listen in for their take on the dairy science job market, the best advice for staying curious and asking for support in grad school, and the thrill of being able to snack on your experiments.

Episode Twenty-One Show Notes

Learn more about ADSA’s Graduate Student Division and Undergraduate Student Division, including their robust award programs and the many benefits for student members. 

Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s undergraduate or graduate awards program? Submit your abstract to the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting before February 12, 2025, and join us in Louisville, Kentucky, next June!

Curious to see the cheese-pull photo Jason and Philip reference? Check it out here.

Catch up on Amanda’s JDS Communications paper discussed in the episode:

Insulin, IGF-I, and lactoferrin concentrations and yields and their associations with other components within colostrum, transition, and whole milk of primiparous and multiparous Holstein cattle, JDS Communications (2024)

Review the mental health article referenced in the episode:

The huge toll of PhDs on mental health: Data reveal stark effects, Nature News (2024)

Read all three winners’ 2024 abstracts and connect with and follow them on LinkedIn:

·        Jason Pronschinske

·        Philip Eberly

·        Amanda Fischer-Tlustos

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of bovine reproduction research with Niamh Forde, PhD, professor and chair of molecular reproductive biosciences at the University of Leeds School of Medicine and cofounder of LeedsOmics, a virtual research institute. Niamh, a passionate scientist and community builder, shares her journey from a young, curious mind to a leading expert in the field who is currently focused on understanding the molecular interactions between the uterine endometrium and the embryo required for successful early pregnancy in cattle. She and Matt reflect on the unusual and fascinating diversity of placental structure across species and review Niamh’s research developing both in vitro and in vivo models to study how early-stage, preimplantation embryos in utero communicate with the maternal endometrium. Studying the peri-implantation period of pregnancy is critical, she explains, as this is when most cattle pregnancy losses occur. Our current understanding of these interactions is limited, but developing innovative models using microfluidics, organoids, and extracellular scaffolds holds promise for the future. The two also walk down memory lane of the iconic researchers who went before them in the field of cattle repro and discuss the importance of building a supportive professional community—not only to boost collaboration and creativity but to lend strength in the face of the rigors of a career in science. Finally, Niamh gives her best advice for young scientists and shares her infectious joy around her favorite day at work: new data day! Tune in to learn more about the latest advancements in reproductive science, the importance of mentorship, and the joy of discovering new knowledge.

Learn more about Niamh and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.

Save the date for the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting (June 22–25) in Louisville, Kentucky, and submit your abstracts before February 12!

Catch Up on the Articles Discussed in the Episode

Understanding conceptus–maternal interactions: What tools do we need to develop? Reproduction, Fertility and Development (2023)

Quantification of the effect of in utero events on lifetime resilience in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

What has the dairy science community learned since the March 2024 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in US dairy herds? That’s the question host Matt Lucy, PhD, is posing to two special guests on the pod: Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and associate director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University, and Zelmar Rodriguez, DVM, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. The two experts are authors in the newly released hot topic special issue of JDS Communications dedicated to the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in dairy. Zelmar takes listeners through the epidemiology and clinical signs of the disease, recovery time for animals, and where we’re at with vaccine development and management now and into the future. Nicole walks us through her work on how HPAI H5N1 is impacting dairy foods, from what we know about viral loads in raw milk to the details on how fluid milk and dairy products are regulated and made safe through the 100-year-old Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. Ultimately, she explains, pasteurization is effective at eliminating H5N1 and reducing risk for consumers. Finally, the trio discusses where we are now in this outbreak and the remaining science still to be done—emphasizing the importance of connection, communication, and the strength of the dairy science community in getting us to this point.

Do you have unanswered H5N1 questions? Join us for a free one-hour Q&A with the authors of the JDS Communications special issue on October 16!

Connect with the Guests

Learn more about Nicole Martin, and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

Learn more about Zelmar Rodriguez, and connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

Review the H5N1 updates from the US Department of Agriculture, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Food and Drug Administration.  

Save the date for the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting (June 22–25) in Louisville, Kentucky, and submit your abstracts before February 12!

Hot topic: Avian influenza subtype H5N1 in US dairy—A preliminary dairy foods perspective, JDS Communications (2024)

Hot topic: Epidemiological and clinical aspects of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle, JDS Communications (2024)

We’re celebrating dairy cow behavior this month on the pod as the special issue of JDS Communications, Behavior in Dairy Animals, launches! Host Matt Lucy chats with Katy Proudfoot, PhD, associate professor at the University of Prince Edward Island and director of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, and Emma Ternman, PhD, associate professor at Nord University. The two are coauthors of an Editor’s Choice article in the special issue devoted to estimating sleep in dairy cattle. Katy and Emma explain how both of their academic paths were filled with “banana peels” and lots of googling—all of which eventually led them to the study of behavior and welfare in dairy cows. They dive into their work to better measure sleep and rest in dairy cows, explaining that sleep serves several essential functions throughout the animal kingdom, so understanding sleep in dairy cows could help us to improve their overall welfare, health, and production. They review how scientists are currently measuring and estimating sleep in dairy cattle—from changes in behavior to electrodes placed on a cow’s head—including the limitations of these methods and where the science might go. As prey animals, dairy cows must be vigilant during the day and average only about three hours of total sleep time. But they can supplement this with “drowsing,” an intermediate state between waking and sleeping that allows cows to stay alert and continue ruminating while getting essential rest. The two explain, however, that this research is still in its infancy and much work still needs to be done to understand sleep in dairy herds—from how the lights and noise of a barn might impact cows to whether they dream. Finally, the guests give their best advice, including why sleep is just as important for dairy scientists as it is for cows, why no one should ever pull all-nighters, and how to make writing papers fun.

Episode Eighteen Show Notes

Learn more about Katy Proudfoot and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Emma Ternman and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Want to learn more about the latest science of dairy cow

Catch up on the papers and the news articles discussed in the episode:

Methods used for estimating sleep in dairy cattle, JDS Communications (2024)

Effects of acute lying and sleep deprivation on metabolic and inflammatory responses of lactating dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2021)

Sleep in dairy cows recorded with a non-invasive EEG technique, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2012)

Buckle up for a lively episode, as we welcome the infectiously energetic Julio Giordano, DVM, PhD, professor of dairy cattle biology and management in the Department of Animal Science and a codirector of the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture at Cornell University. Julio originally hails from Balnearia, Argentina, where he grew up learning from his father’s practice as a dairy veterinarian and working on his family’s dairy farms. He joins Matt to explain how this early interest in dairy cow health led to a passion for the study of reproduction and a career in the United States. He takes listeners into the evolution of his work—from his most hated experiment as a PhD student to his current research, which involves pushing the bounds of digital agriculture innovation to benefit farms and their herds. In his lab today, he and his team are focused on integrating new technology with farming best practices to develop approachable tools and techniques to help farms maximize their herds’ health, productivity, and profitability—all while increasing sustainability. Julio also shares his best advice for which skills students should be building for a career in dairy science and why he chose a faculty position over a career in industry. The two friends also discuss if the traditional lecture format needs an overhaul for the next generation, the importance of family—hola a Soledad, Julito, and Benji—and how relationships with colleagues, mentors, and students make a career in dairy so rewarding.

Episode Seventeen Show Notes

Learn more about Julio Giordano and connect with him on LinkedIn and follow his lab on X/Twitter.

Are you interested in participating in future Discover Conference meetings? Save the date for the 47th Discover Conference happening May 5 to 8, 2025, in Itasca, Illinois.

Catch up on the papers and the news articles discussed in the episode:

Combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Effect of targeted clinical examination based on alerts from automated health monitoring systems on herd health and performance of lactating dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2023)

Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF2α dose during Double Ovsynch on ovulatory response, luteal regression, and fertility of lactating dairy cows, Theriogenology (2013)

Reproduction in the era of genomics and automation, Reproduction, Fertility and Development (2014)

Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF2α dose during Double-Ovsynch on ovulatory response, luteal regression, and fertility of lactating dairy cows, Theriogenology (2013)

Changes in serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein, pregnancy-specific protein B, and progesterone concentrations before and after induction of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2012)

Possible strategies to increase ovulatory follicle size and reduce time to ovulation in lactating dairy cows, University of Tennessee dissertation (2007)

Catch an abbreviation you’re not sure about? Here is a

·        CIDR: controlled internal drug release

·        ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

·        FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone

·        GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing

·        hCG: human chorionic gonadotropin

·        LH: luteinizing hormone

·        PAG: pregnancy-associated glycoprotein

Have questions about how the recent H5N1 strain of avian influenza—or bird flu—outbreak is impacting cow health, worker safety, dairy products, and consumer trust?

This special bonus episode of Dairy Digressions takes you straight to the heart of the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting, where top animal health and food safety experts tackle your most pressing H5N1 concerns. Join moderator Jessica McArt, PhD, DVM, DABVP (Dairy Practice), as she poses audience questions to panelists Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, David J. Ellis chair in antimicrobial resistance and director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Dairy Health Management Laboratory at Michigan State University, and Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and associate director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University.

This episode is essential listening for anyone in the dairy sector!

Do you have unanswered H5N1 questions you’d like us to tackle on the pod? Send them to [email protected]! We’ll be back soon with more as the science around this outbreak develops.

Bonus Episode Show Notes

Connect with the Panel Participants

Learn more about Jess McArt’s work, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram.  

Learn more about Pamela Ruegg, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube.

Learn more about Nicole Martin, and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

Review the H5N1 responses from the US Department of Agriculture, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Food and Drug Administration.  

Save the date for the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting (June 22–25) in Louisville, Kentucky.

Catch Up on the Reports and Resources Discussed in the Episode

Persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024)

A One Health investigation into H5N1 avian influenza virus epizootics on two dairy farms, medRxiv preprint (2024)

Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle, Nature (2024)

Experimental reproduction of viral replication and disease in dairy calves and lactating cows inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, bioRxiv preprint (2024)

Pathogenicity and transmissibility of bovine H5N1 influenza virus, Nature (2024)

2024 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1): Michigan dairy herd and poultry flock summary, US Department of Agriculture (2024)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in animals: Interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in domestic dairy cattle and cats, United States, 2024, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024)

Fatal infection in ferrets after ocular inoculation with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024)

Inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus with high temperature short time continuous flow pasteurization and virus detection in bulk milk tanks, Journal of Food Protection Preprint (2024)

Inactivation of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in raw milk at 63°C and 72°C, New England Journal of Medicine (2024)

USDA announces $824 million in new funding to protect livestock health; launches voluntary H5N1 dairy herd status pilot program, US Department of Agriculture (2024)

Still reeling from the science outlined by Filippo Miglior, PhD, in episode 6 of the pod? Us too. That’s why we invited special guest Christine Baes, PhD, to give us a download on the follow-up project. Christine is a professor and department chair of the Department of Animal Biosciences and Research Chair in Livestock Genomics at the University of Guelph. She is interested in improving dairy cows’ health, welfare, and productivity through genetics and is the lead investigator of The Resilient Dairy Genome Project, a massive, international, collaborative research project aiming to develop genomic tools to breed more resilient dairy cows. Christine explains the project’s focus on interrelated activities—fertility, health (especially for calves), feed efficiency, and methane emissions—and how they can be translated and applied on farms to help them prepare for the future. Bringing together more than 30 co-investigators and 35 international partner organizations, this huge undertaking recognizes the complexity of dairy cows and the dairy sector. It takes an interdisciplinary approach, considering the ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and societal impacts. Matt and Christine also connect the dots between resilience and longevity, acknowledging the tension between maximizing genetic gains and ensuring cows have the long, healthy, and happy lives expected by customers and dairy professionals who cherish their animals. Christine also explains her journey from farm kid to geneticist and lets listeners peek behind the curtain of the decisions that go into updating the Lifetime Performance Index. Finally, the two farmers-at-heart bond

Episode Sixteen Show Notes

Learn more about Christine Baes’s work and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Explore The Resilient Dairy Genome Project and its precursor, The Efficient Dairy Genome Project.

Save the date for the next Discover Conference, happening May 5 to 8, 2025.

Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.

Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode:

The Resilient Dairy Genome Project—A general overview of methods and objectives related to feed efficiency and methane emissions, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Estimation of genetic parameters for feed efficiency traits using random regression models in dairy cattle, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Estimates of genetic parameters for rumination time, feed efficiency, and methane production traits in first lactation Holstein cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Predicting methane emission in Canadian Holstein dairy cattle using milk mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and other commonly available predictors via artificial neural networks, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Recording of calf diseases for potential use in breeding programs: a case study on calf respiratory illness and diarrhea, Canadian Journal of Dairy Science (2023)