Ruminate This | Agrarian Solutions

In this episode of Ruminate This , Caroline Knoblock, Agrarian Solutions’ Director of Nutrition, examines the complexities of managing mycotoxins in livestock feed. Learn why fungicides, though beneficial for crop yields, often fail to reduce toxin levels, and uncover the limitations of traditional solutions like clay and yeast binders. Tune in for strategies to improve feed quality, safeguard liv...

Welcome to Ruminate This with Agrarian Solutions! In this special episode of our Meet the Team series, host Scott Zehr sits down with Dr. Larry Roth, Agrarian's "resident geek" and a cornerstone of our technical team. As Vice President of Nutrition, Dr. Roth is a key contributor to our mission of improving livestock health and performance. With humor, insights, and stories from the...

DTX isn’t just for dairy cows! In this episode, we explore the research on DTX and its impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health in weanling pigs—even in the absence of mycotoxins. Learn how DTX supports GI microbial balance, enhances intestinal morphology, and delivers measurable results. DTX isn’t just for dairy cows—it’s a game-changer for swine health and performance...

This week we continue our "Meet the Team" series with National Farm Program Manage, Dan Hoying. Dan shares his journey, including his philosophy on proactive service and the critical role of trust in building long-term customer relationships. Whether it’s troubleshooting on-farm issues or going the extra mile to ensure animal health, Dan embodies a servant leadership mentality that inspi...

Creating the right team starts with choosing the right people. On Ruminate This , Scott Zehr and Jeff Hostetter from Premier Select Sires break down how selecting industry professionals—like nutritionists, vets, and AI technicians—should be treated just like hiring employees for your farm. They explore how aligning external experts with your operation’s values can significantly impact your team’s...

In this episode of Meet the Team , we sit down with Cody Cline, Agrarian Solutions' International Account Manager, as he shares his journey. Cody's passion for international business and agriculture has taken him around the globe, with experiences in China, Thailand, and Colombia, where he connects with diverse cultures in the ag industry. Listen in as Cody talks about his transition int...

In this episode of RUMINATE THIS , host Scott Zehr sits down with Dr. Kee Jim, founding partner, veterinarian, and manager at Feedlot Health Management Services, to explore the groundbreaking business strategy behind Blackshirt Feeders, one of North America’s largest feedlot operations with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 head of cattle. Dr. Jim shares insights into beef supply chain challenge...

In this episode of our “Meet the Team” series, you’ll meet the newest member to Agrarian Solutions, Caroline Knoblock, Director of Nutrition. Listen in as Caroline shares her journey in the dairy industry, from her roots helping on a farm to her academic achievements at Michigan State University and the University of Alberta and into her professional career.  Learn how her experiences, including h...

While DTX is well-known in the U.S. for enhancing dairy and beef cattle health, this episode of RUMINATE THIS with Cody Cline, Agrarian Solutions' International Account Manager, reveals its global impact on poultry and swine. We discuss how DTX is driving healthier, more productive poultry flocks in Middle Eastern markets like Egypt and the UAE, while also improving swine intestinal health an...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Ruminate This ! In this installment of our “Meet the Team” series, join host Scott Zehr as he chats with Chad Christensen, Regional Business Development Manager at Agrarian Solutions. Discover Chad’s journey, his role in driving regional business development, and his passion for agriculture. Tune in to learn about the values and culture at Agrarian, and get an...

In this episode of Ruminate This , host Scott Zehr interviews Dr. Larry Roth to address the growing problem of mycotoxin contamination in dairy cattle across the U.S. Dr. Roth shares alarming 2024 corn silage data from the Northeast, Great Lakes, and East Coast, highlighting the presence of multiple mycotoxins at concerning levels. He also discusses the increasing detection of DON (vomitoxin) and...

In this special bonus episode of Ruminate This , we kick off our “Meet the Team” series, where you’ll get to know the people behind the scenes who help drive success at Agrarian Solutions. Hosted by Scott Zehr, this episode features an insightful conversation with Nick Bradley, Agrarian's Director of Operations. Nick shares about his journey from marketing to agriculture, his role in ensuring...

In this episode of Ruminate This , we explore the top 12 diseases causing the greatest economic losses in the global dairy industry and the critical role nutrition and mycotoxins play. At an alarming cost of $12 billion annually, subclinical ketosis leads the list globally, while in the U.S., mastitis ranks number one, with yearly losses reaching $2 billion. While better cattle management, facilit...

This week on Ruminate This, we talk with Dr. Kevin Ziemba, Global Support Specialist at STgenetics, about the essentials of proactive farm management and its role in building a sustainable farm team. Dr. Ziemba shares how moving beyond constant crisis management to building a team-oriented culture centered around compliance and problem-solving, is critical to farm success. Of utmost importance is...

Today’s podcast digs into the dogma and new thinking about liver abscess development in feedlot and dairy cattle. The entire June 2024 Journal of Applied Animal Science was devoted to the liver abscess phenomena which is estimated to cost the US beef packing industry at least $400 million dollars each year. While liver abscesses in traditional beef and beef X dairy feedlot cattle have been linked...

In this episode we discuss the hidden costs of binders in dairy cow rations with Caroline Knoblock, Director of Nutrition. We explore how binders, while effective against Aflatoxin, can inadvertently bind essential nutrients like amino acids and vitamins—costing an additional 4-6 cents per cow per day. Discover why some experts believe this cost could be even higher.  With a Bachelor’s in Animal S...

Are binders truly effective in combating harmful toxins in feed, or could they be causing more harm than good? In this episode, we delve into the suprising research by Kihal et al. (2020, 2022), which examined the effectiveness of yeast cell wall and clay binders in binding mycotoxins. While binders were originally developed to target Aflotoxin—a toxin now rarely found in feed—they may not be the...

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking L-Form Technology and its vital role in supporting every animal on a farm from day one. We address the important issue of mycotoxins and their impact on pre-weaned calves, along with the critical periods of transition in an animal’s life. Livestock face their greatest challenges during these transitions, making it essential to fortify their systems to...

In this episode we discuss the nuances of immune support in dairy cows with Dr. Larry Roth, Vice President of Nutrition at Agrarian Solutions. We explore why many immune support products fall short, offering a little of everything but not enough to be truly effective. We discuss commonly touted ingredients for immune support like plant extracts, yeast cell wall products, vitamins, antioxidants, tr...

In this episode, we dig into "The Britt Hypothesis" to understand how the dry period impacts dairy cow fertility and the significant role of epigenetics. Dr. Jack Britt joins us to discuss dry cow management and its influence on future generations.  Dr. Britt challenges traditional dairy management practices, questioning the standard voluntary wait period and the conventional 365-day lac...

When it comes to creating healthier, longer-living cows, genetics are the engine and nutrition is the fuel. This week Dr. Kevin Ziemba, Global Support Specialist at STgenetics, discusses strategies for better cow management, focusing on improving cow welfare, genetics, and reducing epigenetic risks. Our discussion covers the importance of managing both sides of the genetic equation and the importa...

In this episode, Dr. Larry Roth reviews research on the impact of inflammatory diseases on fertility in cattle, focusing on studies from Eduardo S. Ribeiro and Murilo R. Carvalho of the University of Guelph. We will dig into how unresolved inflammation affects every stage of the reproductive cycle—from oocyte development and embryo implantation to the growth of the embryo and calf. We will break d...

In this episode, Dr. Jack Britt discusses the importance of dairy in global nutrition and the future of sustainable farming practices. Dairy plays a crucial role in feeding the growing world population, and as a leading dietary component, it can feed the greatest number of people. Listen in as Dr. Britt discusses the importance of innovation and sustainability to the U.S. dairy industry’s future....

In this episode we explore the cornerstone of thriving dairies … heifers. While heifer nutrition often takes a back seat to the milking herd, it deserves our full attention as it drives growth, reproductive performance, mammary development, immune function, production and ultimately profitability. Dr. Larry Roth, Vice President of Nutrition at Agrarian Solutions will share essential strategies for...

In today’s episode we explore the complicated web of mycotoxins and their compounding effects on cattle health. Together with Dr. Larry Roth, Vice President of Nutrition at Agrarian Solutions, we discuss the multifaceted ways mycotoxins target cows, creating a domino effect of adverse consequences that are often misunderstood. Discover how multiple mycotoxins employ a unique strategy of attack, ye...