The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Massimo Bionaz explores the potential of hemp byproducts in dairy cattle nutrition. He shares insights on the nutritional potential of hemp-derived byproducts, challenges related to compound residues in animal feed, how regulatory frameworks influence feed innovation, and the future of feed trials. Discover what current research reveals...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jessica Halfen from Mississippi State University discusses how polyphenols and phytochemicals can improve dairy cow health during transition and heat stress periods. She shares her in vitro findings, explains the potential of using local byproducts as feed additives, and highlights the future of nutraceuticals in dairy nutrition. Listen...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Alice Brandao from Texas A&M University explores how insulin resistance, feed additives, and energy sources influence dairy cattle health. She shares insights from her work in Brazil, where challenging conditions call for adaptive nutritional strategies. Learn what impacts immune modulation and metabolic responses in transition cows...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mary Beth Hall from The Cows Are Always Right LLC, shares expert insights on water-soluble carbohydrates in dairy cow diets. She explains how these nutrients differ from starch, their unique fermentation pathways, and the role they play in promoting rumen health and milk production. Listen now on all major platforms! "The water-solu...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Javier Alba Mayagoitia from Priority IAC explains how microbial-driven nutrition can stabilize rumen function and support healthier, more efficient dairy cows. He covers targeted strains, rumen fermentation challenges, and practical feeding principles producers can apply on-farm. Learn how microbiology connects with nutrition to strengt...

In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jeff Firkins from The Ohio State University explores how nutrient interactions influence fiber degradation in dairy cows. He explains the balance between starch and fiber digestion, the role of rumen pH, and the impact of feed additives on maintaining optimal rumen health. Learn how to maximize fiber utilization and improv...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis explores the complex environmental impacts of nitrogen excretion in dairy cattle. He breaks down how nitrogen behaves in the environment, compares it to methane, and discusses the role of precision feeding and manure management in reducing emissions. Learn how to balance productivity with sustainability. L...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Shedrack Omale from Iowa State University shares his research on using red seaweed to reduce methane emissions in dairy cows. He explains how bromoform in seaweed disrupts methane production, its potential on-farm applications, and how it compares with other mitigation strategies. Learn how sustainability and performance can go hand in hand...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Gaelan Combs, a PhD student at Iowa State University, discusses the impact of dexamethasone pre-treatment on metabolism and productivity during a systemic immune challenge. He examines how inflammation affects productivity and why immune activation involves more than just inflammatory markers. Listen now on all major platforms! "Inflamm...

In this episode of the Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Jeff Tikofsky from Zinpro shares insights on how isoacids support rumen function and microbial protein synthesis. He explains how balanced nutrition strategies can improve fiber digestion, nitrogen use, and overall herd performance, particularly during the transition period. Get practical takeaways to help your herd make the most of every p...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. José Eduardo Santos from the University of Florida continues exploring the science behind choline and its role in improving dairy cow performance. He explains the importance of rumen-protected choline, breaks down updated research on bioavailability, ideal dosage, and interactions with nutrients like methionine. Listen now on all major...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. José Eduardo Santos from the University of Florida explores the science behind choline and its essential functions in dairy cows. He explains its role in lipid metabolism, fatty liver prevention, and reproductive health, with practical insights on supplementation strategies. Listen now on all major platforms! "Choline’s hallmark rol...

In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. William Brown from Kansas State University shares his research on high-protein corn co-products as alternatives to soybean meal in dairy calf starters. He explains the nutritional value, digestibility, and economic implications of these innovative feed ingredients. Learn how early calf nutrition impacts long-term performan...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Joao Dorea from the University of Wisconsin–Madison talks about how artificial intelligence is changing the way dairy herds are managed. He shares real-world examples of AI in action, from body condition scoring to virtual assistants that answer farmers’ questions, and explains how these tools can work for both large and small operation...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Victoria Ramos from Cornell University shares the results of a study evaluating the effects of dietary fatty acids on methane emissions and milk production in dairy cows. She explains how different fat sources interact with fiber and starch in both isoenergetic and non-isoenergetic diets. Listen now on all major platforms! "The purpose...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Felipe Peña Mosca from Cornell University shares his research on H5N1 virus infection in dairy cows during an outbreak in Ohio. He explains risk factors, production losses, and herd health impacts, along with the role of early detection technology and biosecurity measures. Listen now on all major platforms! "Automated monitoring sys...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Richard Breunig, founder and owner of Priority IAC, shares his innovative perspective on integrating microbiology with dairy cattle nutrition. He discusses the role of specific bacterial strains in rumen fermentation, why acidosis should be addressed through microbial balance, and how rethinking common practices like negative DCAD and sodiu...

To celebrate the 100th episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we’re bringing you a special conversation with Dr. Eduardo Rico from the University of Pennsylvania. He explores the promising potential of insect-based protein in dairy cow diets and explains how nutritional quality, sustainability, and public perception could shape its future use in the U.S. and beyond. Listen now on all ma...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Peter Erickson from the University of New Hampshire continues to explore the environmental and nutritional factors that influence colostrum yield and quality in dairy cows. He shares data on cold stress, niacin supplementation, and dry cow cooling, along with fresh insights into IgG, intestinal development, and calf outcomes. Listen now...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Peter Erickson from the University of New Hampshire shares practical strategies to improve colostrum yield and quality in dairy herds. He unpacks new research on environmental impacts, dry period length, and the physiological triggers influencing colostrum production. Listen now on all major platforms! "Even just how we feed that ca...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Doug Waterman from Virtus Nutrition explains how management and nutritional strategies influence uterine involution and overall reproductive success in dairy cows. He discusses key factors like inflammation control, calving management, and omega-3 supplementation to improve cow health and future productivity. Listen now on all major pla...

In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kirby Krogstad, from The Ohio State University, examines the role of niacin in dairy cow health and performance. Highlighting niacin's impact on immune regulation, rumen functionality, and lactation outcomes, Dr. Krogstad unpacks recent research findings and their practical applications in dairy nutrition. Listen now o...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Massimo Bionaz from Oregon State University explains the power of nutrigenomics in enhancing dairy cow performance. He details how bioactive compounds can regulate gene expression to reduce inflammation, improve transition periods, and support metabolic balance. Understand the science behind transcription factors and fatty acid interact...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Roni Yair from Afimilk shares how advanced algorithms are transforming dairy cattle feed efficiency through behavioral data of individual cows. He explains the science behind predictive models, cross-farm research, and how dairies can use this data for strategic culling and breeding decisions. Listen now on all major platforms! "The...

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Arthur Neto from the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Brazil explores the principles and benefits of crop-livestock integration systems. He explains how combining trees, forage, and livestock in rotational systems can improve soil health, enhance sustainability, and support carbon neutrality in livestock operations. Listen now on al...