Hello there!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Renee Smith, Western Sales Manager at Virtus Nutrition, explores the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, their impact on reproduction and immune function, and how proper supplementation can significantly reduce pregnancy loss in dairy cows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, have significant effects on reproduction and immune function in dairy cows." 

Meet the guest: Renee Smith, the Western Sales Manager and US Marketing Director at Virtus Nutrition brings over 15 years of experience in the dairy nutrition industry. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Dairy Science and Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA in Marketing from Walden University. At Virtus Nutrition, Renee focuses on advancing fatty acid technology to enhance dairy cow health, reproduction, and production efficiency.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:04) Introduction 
• (02:46) Omega-3 in dairy nutrition
• (03:40) Omega-3 conversion
• (06:04) Omega-3 and reproduction
• (09:34) Practical applications 
• (11:44) Immune function and inflammation
• (12:10) Closing thoughts

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

Virtus Nutrition

* Adisseo

- Volac

Hello there,

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Victor Cabrera, a dairy management specialist, discusses the innovative concept of the dairy brain. This tool integrates data from various dairy farm systems to enhance decision-making and optimize operations. Dr. Cabrera explains how combining data from milking parlors, sensors, and genetic tests can predict diseases and improve precision feeding. Tune in now to gain valuable insights!

"The dairy brain concept aims to automate data extraction from different systems on the farm and use this data for decision-making." 

Meet the guest: Dr. Victor Cabrera is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on dairy farm management and economic decision-making. With over 16 years at UW-Madison, he develops decision-support tools integrating biology, physiology, and economics. He holds a PhD and MS from the University of Florida. Dr. Cabrera’s work enhances data-driven decisions in the dairy industry. 

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:55) Introduction 
• (03:38) Dairy brain concept overview
• (07:48) Data integration importance
• (10:37) Application of integrated data
• (12:30) Precision feeding techniques
• (13:51) Precision breeding and selection
• (14:45) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

- Virtus Nutrition

Hello there,

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Carla Bittar, an associate professor at the University of Sao Paulo, shares her research on the thermoregulatory responses of dairy calves when fed varying amounts of colostrum. Dr. Bittar discusses the impacts of colostrum feeding on calf metabolism, growth, and immune function, especially under cold stress conditions. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on colostrum management strategies for dairy calves.

"We have seen a lot of problems with calves that are born during the winter and wanted to know if feeding more colostrum would protect them against cold stress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Carla Maris Machado Bittar graduated in 1994 in Agricultural Engineering from ESALQ/USP. She earned her Master of Science from the University of Arizona in 1997 and completed her Ph.D. in Animal Science and Pastures from ESALQ/USP in 2002. Currently, she is a professor of dairy cattle management and nutrition at the Department of Animal Science at ESALQ/USP. Her research focuses on the nutrition and metabolism of growing dairy cattle, emphasizing the weaning phase. 

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:52) Introduction 
• (01:36) Research on colostrum feeding
• (02:15) Experimental treatments and cold stress model
• (06:12) Post-colostrum feeding and growth rates
• (06:52) Immune function measurements
• (07:39) Benefits of increased colostrum feeding
• (08:42) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Virtus Nutrition

- Volac

Hello there!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Timothy Hackmann, an associate professor at the University of California, Davis, explores his research on addressing the root causes of milk fat depression. He discusses microbial protein supply, nutrient digestibility, and potential enzyme inhibitors. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on innovative dairy nutrition strategies.

"Milk fat depression occurs when microbes in the rumen produce unusual fatty acids."

Meet the guest: Dr. Timothy Hackmann is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in gastrointestinal microbiology. He received his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Nutrition from The Ohio State University and an M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His research focuses on the energetics, physiology, and ecology of gastrointestinal microbes in ruminants, aiming to improve livestock production efficiency. 

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:06) Introduction
• (02:02) Defining milk fat depression
• (03:17) Root cause of milk fat depression
• (04:25) Role of buffers in milk fat depression
• (05:33) Enzyme inhibitors and milk fat depression
• (07:43) Research needed for enzyme inhibitors
• (09:41) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

- Virtus Nutrition

Hello there!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Marcos Marcondes, a professor of dairy cattle nutrition and management at Washington State University, discusses the productive lifespan of dairy cattle. Dr. Marcondes explores key factors impacting dairy cow longevity, such as reproductive health and advancements in nutrition and technology. Listen to the full episode on all major platforms.

"The productive lifespan is from the moment the cow calves the first time until her last lactation."

Meet the guest: Dr. Marcos Marcondes is a professor of dairy cattle nutrition at Washington State University. He completed his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate in Animal Science at the Federal University of Viçosa. With a postdoctoral period at the University of Florida, Dr. Marcondes has extensive experience in dairy cattle management and nutrition. His research focuses on feed evaluation, nutrient requirements, and sustainability in dairy operations.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:00) Introduction 
• (01:48) Defining productive lifespan
• (02:47) Changes in productive lifespan over time
• (03:27) Importance of cow longevity for profitability
• (05:47) Role of new reproductive technologies
• (08:08) Effects of crossbreeding and sexed semen
• (09:28) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

- Virtus Nutrition

Hello there,

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Elias Uddin discusses the significance of nitrate additives and their impact on the carbon footprint of dairy farms. Dr. Uddin explains the method and importance of life cycle analysis in assessing environmental sustainability in dairy production. Tune into this enlightening discussion on major podcast platforms.

"The true effect of additives should consider all trade-offs and interactions between sources of emissions." 

Meet the guest: Dr. Elias Uddin, an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, specializes in ruminant nutrition and environmental modeling. With a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his research emphasizes sustainability in dairy production. Dr. Uddin's work integrates in-vivo experiments and life cycle assessments to explore methane mitigation and nutrient utilization in dairy cattle, aiming to optimize productivity and environmental impact. His significant achievements include impactful publications in top-tier journals and leadership roles in advanced dairy science education and research.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:54) Introduction
• (01:54) Understanding life cycle analysis
• (02:57) Functional units' role
• (03:43) Major carbon sources in dairy
• (07:42) Interaction feed X regions
• (08:43) Reductions in carbon footprint with technology
• (09:46) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Virtus Nutrition

- Volac

Hello there!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kirby Krogstad brings fresh insights into integrating health, nutrition, and sustainability in dairy farming. Dr. Krogstad discusses acidosis and systemic inflammation—key areas significantly impacting dairy production. He shares valuable findings from recent research, and practical solutions for managing these conditions effectively. Tune in on major platforms for this deep exploration of dairy health challenges.

"If acute phase proteins circulate widely, they impact other tissues and the entire animal's biology, emphasizing the significance of managing systemic inflammation comprehensively."

Meet the guest: Dr. Kirby Krogstad, an Assistant Professor of Dairy Nutrition and Health at Ohio State University, specializes in improving dairy cow health through advanced nutritional strategies. His research focuses on gut physiology and inflammation, exploring how diet affects dairy cattle's immune response and sustainability. Dr. Krogstad has a rich background in dairy science, holding a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and a Master’s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:42) Introduction 
• (01:32) Defining systemic inflammation
• (02:27) Clinical signs of inflammation
• (03:22) Research models in dairy nutrition
• (05:26) Starch impact on dairy diets
• (07:34) Diet consistency and inflammation
• (08:34) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

- Virtus Nutrition

Hello there!

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Addison Carroll, a PhD student, explores the intricate dynamics of energy and nitrogen metabolism in dairy cattle. Addison discusses a recent complex study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, focusing on a new corn byproduct and its implications for dairy nutrition. Tune in on major platforms to deepen your understanding of dairy cattle nutrition.

“The pre-formed fatty acids potentially were more easily incorporated into the milk fat, thus increasing some of our efficiency.” - Addison Carroll

Meet the guest: Addison Carroll, a PhD student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specializes in ruminant nutrition, focusing on dairy cattle energy metabolism. Drawing on her upbringing on a beef cattle farm and experience at a family-owned dairy, Addison aims to advance dairy nutrition through her research on novel feed products. Her studies and professional journey highlight her dedication to enhancing producer knowledge and herd management through nutritional and technological advancements.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:45) Introduction
• (01:30) New Corn Byproduct Research
• (02:10) Protein Content in Feeds
• (02:51) Energy Measurement Techniques
• (03:53) Energy Loss in Diet Processing
• (04:54) Net Energy Findings
• (08:27) Closing Thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

Hello there,

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Addison Carroll, a PhD student at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, explores the realm of dairy cattle feed preferences, focusing on robot-fed cows. Adisson discusses the outcomes of her research on different pellet formulas, emphasizing the implications for dairy nutrition and feeding strategies. Tune in to this episode on major platforms to gain valuable insights into optimizing dairy cattle diets.

"Sometimes the simplest type of pellet may be the best option."

Meet the guest: Addison Carroll, a PhD student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specializes in ruminant nutrition, focusing on dairy cattle energy metabolism. Her research explores innovative nutritional and technological solutions aimed at aiding dairy producers. Addison brings practical insights to her academic pursuits. She has led research on novel feed ingredients and their effects on dairy cattle, contributing to significant industry advancements.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:45) Introduction
• (01:24) Graduate Studies and Future Plans
• (01:45) Origin of Feeding Behavior Study
• (02:28) Comparing Feed Pellets
• (03:12) Determining Cow Preferences
• (04:56) Findings on Feed Preferences
• (08:09) Closing Thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Danielle Sherlock explores the interactions between heat stress, rumen-protected methionine, and immune function in dairy cattle. She discussed how supplementation can mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress on immune function and overall metabolism. Tune in on major platforms to discover how these findings can transform dairy cattle management.

"Methionine supplementation helps to overcome negative effects of the transition period on immune function and oxidative stress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Danielle Sherlock is the Ruminant Research and Innovation Science Manager at Adisseo. She has a rich academic background from Ohio State University and the University of Illinois. Her Ph.D. research concentrated on the metabolism of methyl donors, particularly under conditions of heat stress and negative energy balance in dairy cows. Dr. Sherlock's work offers valuable insights into nutritional strategies that enhance dairy cow health and productivity during stress periods.

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:55) Introduction
• (02:19) Heat stress and immune cell activation
• (03:35) Effects of heat stress on metabolism
• (04:45) Insulin sensitivity under heat stress
• (06:31) Heat stress and immune function
• (07:19) Discussing methionine supplementation
• (08:19) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

- Volac