People use probiotics to improve gut health and boost their ability to fight off disease. It's the same with poultry. Producers add probiotics to feed. But how exactly does it work? That's what Dr. Lisa Bielke, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, hopes to find out. Her current project focuses on the processes in the microbiome that lead to healthier birds and could help reduced antibiotic usage in the poultry industry.

Assistant Professor Brady Campbell is new to the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences but he's not new to small ruminants. A fourth-generation sheep producer, Campbell serves as the department's small ruminant specialist. In this episode, Campbell talks about some of his current and upcoming research on using nutrition to skew the sex of offspring, utility scale solar grazing operations, and improving meat quality in Ohio.

A challenging start for newborn male dairy calves, including transportation and mixing with unfamiliar animals, can drive higher antibiotic use. Could better communication with livestock buyers help inform farmers’ calf care practices? That’s one idea. A new project with Dr. Jessica Pempek, associate professor in the Department of Animal Science, and PI Dr. Greg Habing, with The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, hopes to show producers the benefits of improved newborn calf care before they're sold.

Biopesticides sound like a fantastic idea—made from natural materials, target specific pests and biological processes, better for the environment. So why aren’t more producers using them on farms? New research from Dr. Guil Signorini, an assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, aims to survey professional agricultural producers, consultants, crop advisors, and Extension educators to find out why biopesticides aren’t more widely implemented.

Stands overflowing with fresh seasonal produce, food and flower vendors, fresh baked goods, and opportunities to see neighbors and friends. It takes a lot of effort and planning to keep this community staple successful. Can data collection improve the market, attract new farmers, and educate customers about their food? We learn how from Darlene Wolnik, support director with the national Farmers Market Coalition, and Christie Welch, program specialist with direct marketing at The Ohio State University South Centers.

Community leaders have to make difficult decisions about how to spend scarce resources. How do we place a value on community investments that don't necessarily generate income but benefit local citizens? To find out, we spoke with Dr. Zoë Plakias, an agricultural food systems economist and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. She’s applying cost-benefit analysis in a new way for a food system resiliency project headed by Shoshanah Inwood with the School of Environment and Natural Resources and Mary Hendricks at the University of Missouri.

Flooded fields take pastures out of production, affecting a livestock farmer's bottom line. Can producers guard their land against weather extremes? That's the big question behind a new research project from Dr. Marília Chiavegato, an agroecosystems management expert with a dual appointment in the Departments of Horticulture and Crop Science and Animal Science at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Chiavegato looks at the whole system for answers. Simple tweaks could bring that land back into production.

Can farmers protect their fields against changes in Ohio's climate? That's the big question behind a new research project. We talk with Dr. Christine Sprunger, assistant professor in School of Environment and Natural Resources in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Her work examines how quickly soil bounces back from stressors like drought or flooding. The hope? That farmers can more effectively measure soil health and pick best management practices to fit their unique situation.