In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Angelica Dias, Assistant Professor in Bovine Health at the University of Calgary, explains why digital dermatitis remains difficult to control in dairy cows. She discusses Treponema species, anaerobic bacteria, microbial dysbiosis, lesion reservoirs, treatment limitations, and footbath strategies for herd-level prevention. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Digital dermatitis is not just a bacterial infection; it is a complex multifactorial disease."

Meet the guest: Dr. Angelica Dias is an Assistant Professor in Bovine Health at the University of Calgary. Her work focuses on dairy cattle health and management, infectious diseases in cattle, host-microbe-environment interactions, and strategies for disease prevention and control. She earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Calgary, her DVM from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, and her master's degree in Animal Science with a focus on ruminant production. Learn more from Dr. Angelica Dias on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:05) Introduction
• (01:50) Why DD is complex
• (03:58) Microbial dynamics
• (06:32) Lesion reservoirs
• (07:38) Treatment limits
• (08:25) Herd-level control
• (09:15) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Sue Hagenson, Senior Dairy Consultant at inBarn Solutions, explains how cow comfort, ventilation, and targeted cooling shape dairy performance during heat stress. She discusses early behavioral warning signs, holding pen priorities, fan and soaking mistakes, and how to create barn environments that support healthier and more productive cows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Cow comfort is part of dairy production because lying time, rumination, feed intake, reproduction, hoof health, and longevity all connect to performance."

Meet the guest: Sue Hagenson is a Senior Dairy Consultant and Cow Comfort Specialist at inBarn Solutions Inc. with more than 30 years of international dairy industry experience. She specializes in cow comfort, heat stress management, barn ventilation, and cooling system performance, helping dairy producers improve herd wellbeing, productivity, resource efficiency, and farm profitability through practical, science-based solutions. Listen to Sue Hagenson on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Joshua Brooke: How Technology Improves Cow Comfort | Ep. 50

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:10) Introduction
• (01:46) Cow comfort value
• (04:10) Early heat signs
• (05:05) Cooling priorities
• (08:10) Cooling system mistakes
• (11:30) Targeted cooling results
• (14:17) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

- inBarn

* Boehringher Ingelheim

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Vinicius Machado, Associate Professor at Texas Tech University, explains how selective therapy for metritis can reduce antimicrobial use in dairy cows. Dr. Machado discusses cow-level data, biomarkers, farm technologies, AI-based prediction models, and validation steps that protect productivity, reproduction, and animal welfare. Listen now on all major platforms!

"AI-based algorithms increased metritis treatment prediction accuracy from about 75% to nearly 95%, creating stronger support for selective therapy decisions."

Meet the guest: Dr. Vinicius Machado is an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University, where his work focuses on dairy science, epidemiology, animal health, and precision livestock strategies. Research connects cow-level data, biomarkers, and predictive modeling to improve dairy cow health and reduce antimicrobial use. Learn more from Dr. Vinicius Machado on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:23) Introduction
• (02:27) Selective therapy
• (03:15) Cow data
• (05:32) Research stages
• (06:54) AI models
• (08:10) Strategy validation
• (11:59) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Walter Gruenberg, Professor of Ruminant Health at Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Germany, explains how phosphorus management affects transition cow health. He discusses phosphorus deprivation, bone mobilization, phosphorus binders, calcium balance, feed intake risk, and why dry-cow strategies must align with each farm's primary risk factors. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The best transition cow strategy depends on the farm's main risk factor, with phosphorus, potassium, and anionic tools used to solve the specific problem rather than compensate blindly."

Meet the guest: Dr. Walter Gruenberg is Professor of Ruminant Health at Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Germany, and Past-President of the European College of Bovine Health Management. His work focuses on animal reproduction, medicine, surgery, transition cow health, mineral metabolism, and dairy cattle nutrition. Learn more about phosphorus management and transition cow performance with Dr. Walter Gruenberg on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:05) Introduction
• (02:04) Phosphorus interest
• (03:14) Bone mobilization
• (04:29) Fresh cow risks
• (06:38) Binder strategy
• (12:30) Phosphorus levels
• (15:31) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michelle Schack, dairy veterinarian and co-founder of DairyKind, discusses how employee training improves animal well-being, workforce consistency, and audit readiness on dairy farms. She shares insights on labor turnover, video-based learning, documentation, and helping employees understand the purpose behind key procedures. Discover practical strategies to strengthen training programs and accountability. Listen now on all major platforms

"Training that explains why procedures matter turns dairy workers into skilled technicians, not just people following steps."

Meet the guest: Dr. Michelle Schack is a veterinarian and member of the DairyKind team, where she helps dairy farms strengthen employee training, animal well-being practices, and workforce development. Her work focuses on practical training systems, employee education, documentation, and audit preparedness to support dairy operations. Listen to Dr. Michelle Schack on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:49) Introduction
• (02:34) Employee training challenges
• (03:29) Video-based learning
• (06:11) Training documentation
• (07:07) Turnover challenges
• (09:08) Worker knowledge
• (12:49) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

- WiseVAs

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Denicol from UC Davis discusses advanced reproductive technologies shaping dairy cattle breeding. She explains in vitro embryo production, genomic testing, gene editing, disease resistance, heat tolerance, and future applications that could improve productivity, health, and animal welfare. Discover how these innovations may influence the next generation of dairy genetics. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Gene editing can introduce desirable genetic traits into elite embryos while maintaining valuable production characteristics.

Meet the guest: Dr. Anna Denicol is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in reproductive and developmental biology. She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Biology and Embryology from the University of Florida and completed postdoctoral research in ovarian and stem cell biology at Northeastern University. Her work focuses on advancing reproductive technologies and genetic improvement in livestock. Listen to Dr. Anna Denicol on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (02:17) Introduction
• (03:07) Reproductive technologies
• (05:14) Embryo integration
• (06:31) Genetics insights
• (08:19) Disease resistance
• (11:22) Future breeding innovations
• (13:11) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

- WiseVAs

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ronaldo Cerri from the University of British Columbia discusses the evolution of dairy cattle reproduction. Dr. Cerri explains why the industry is shifting from perfecting synchronization protocols to improving overall herd health, and how data analysis helps identify the real drivers of fertility on each farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Herd health affects fertility more than any single factor in the literature, making it central to reproductive progress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ronaldo Cerri is an Associate Professor in the Applied Biology program at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on fertility issues in dairy and beef cattle, sustainable reproductive technologies, and understanding interactions between inflammation, health disorders, the uterus, and the developing embryo. Learn more from Dr. Ronaldo Cerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:34) Introduction
• (02:29) Overlooked challenges
• (03:54) Health and fertility
• (06:12) Metabolic health
• (09:06) Reproductive management
• (12:14) Precision dairy
• (13:48) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

- WiseVAs

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz, Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of Temuco in Chile, explains how seasonal calving creates pressure on pasture-based dairy systems. She discusses calf supervision, environmental stress, worker workload, colostrum hygiene, and how management routines protect newborn calves during high-risk calving windows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Seasonal calving pressure becomes risky when dairy systems lack the resources, protocols, and staff capacity to absorb it."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health at Catholic University of Temuco, in Chile. She earned her MSc and PhD in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and completed postdoctoral training at Michigan State University. Her work focuses on the health, welfare, care, behavior, and nutrition of dairy cows and pre-weaned calves in dairy systems. Learn more from Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:12) Introduction
• (02:10) Seasonal calving
• (04:38) Environmental pressure
• (06:05) Worker workload
• (07:42) Calf priorities
• (10:02) Colostrum management
• (13:45) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Tiarna Scerri, PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, explains how antimicrobial resistance is changing mastitis treatment research. She discusses synthetic biology, farmer-centered product design, regulation, and why new therapies must be both effective and practical for dairy farms. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Alternative mastitis treatments need to be effective, sustainable, and practical enough for farmers to adopt from the start."

Meet the guest: Tiarna Scerri is a PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, developing alternative treatments for mastitis to address antimicrobial resistance in major mastitis-causing bacteria. She holds degrees in science and law, advocates for proactive regulation of agricultural biotechnology, and is part of the 2026 Groundbreakers Program, a cohort whose endeavors are supported by AgriFutures Australia. Learn more from Tiarna Scerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:28) Introduction
• (01:52) Ag law background
• (04:08) Resistance challenge
• (06:15) Synthetic biology
• (07:28) Farm practicality
• (10:28) Commercial outlook
• (11:43) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains why low calcium after calving is not always a problem. She discusses transient hypocalcemia, dyscalcemia, feed intake, mammary calcium demand, and why timing matters when deciding whether a fresh cow needs intervention. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Calcium regulation during the transition period requires distinguishing temporary physiological adaptation from prolonged disruption that affects health and productivity outcomes."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Hernandez is Professor of Lactation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on mammary gland biology, calcium homeostasis, and the transition from pregnancy to lactation in dairy cattle. Learn more from Dr. Laura Hernandez on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (01:51) Calcium patterns
• (04:37) Cow classifications
• (05:46) Mammary demand
• (06:42) Diagnostic markers
• (08:15) Feed intake
• (10:15) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like:

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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