Guests:
Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University
Stacy Nichols, Vita Plus

The table at the Real Science Exchange is filled once again with great conversation and learning on the topic of supplemental fatty acids- much more than just fat and energy. Co-hosts Scott Sorrell and Dr. Clay Zimmerman are joined by Dr. Adam Lock of Michigan State University and Stacy Nichols from Vita Plus. 

Dr. Adam Lock had previously presented on this topic during the Real Science Lecture series and has been one of the most popular topics discussed so far. You can find the lecture here. To counter and/or complement Dr. Lock’s research perspective, Stacy Nichols brought to the table real-life field experience. 

Dr. Lock shared his overarching key presentation take away with a phrase he borrowed from a friend, “A bag of fat is not a bag of fat”. He then dives in to describe what that means for dairy producers. 8:38

With Stacy’s practical application, he stressed the importance of maximizing production and this includes high production cows. 18:05

The discussion shifts to discussing oleic acid, the role it plays. Stacy also discusses how producers are able to include oleic acid through the production of high oleic soybeans on their farm or from neighbors. 25:45

After changing his mind about fatty acid feeding over the last 10 years, Dr. Lock shared his outlook on how that may continue to shift through the next decade. 36:22

Stacy’s practical outlook discussed the importance of protecting CLA in milk and also the practicality from an economics standpoint for fat inclusion in rations. 43:51

Questions that followed the lecture series were answered by Dr. Lock and Stacy. Topics included what polyunsaturated fatty acids mean for NDF digestibility, how quickly do you see a response in milk fat after starting to feed palmitic acid and with sustainability concerns growing with palm oil, where does that leave it for a palmitic acid source? 52:14

Thanks for joining for another discussion around the table at the Real Science Exchange. To recommend a topic for future podcasts, email [email protected]