The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater from Iowa State University explores the evolving role of distillers' grains in dairy cattle nutrition. He shares insights on biofuel byproducts, ingredient optimization, and the economics behind high-protein corn co-products. Learn how the ethanol industry and dairy nutrition intersect in powerful ways. Listen now on all major pla...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Tara Vander Dussen, a fifth-generation dairy farmer and environmental scientist, discusses the critical issues surrounding sustainability in dairy farming. Tara shares her unique journey from environmental consulting to podcasting, highlighting water use, sustainability practices, and how dairy farmers can balance environmental concerns with production. L...

In this special episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, celebrating Cow Appreciation Day, Dr. Michael Schutz, Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, shares updates on dairy cattle genetics and herd management. He covers everything from breakthroughs in genomics to colostrum management and industry-wide shifts in dairy science education and practice. Tune in now on your...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Chris Chase from South Dakota State University explores the persistent challenge of stray voltage in dairy cattle facilities. Discover how faulty facility design, inadequate maintenance, and overlooked electrical issues contribute to this problem—and learn practical strategies to prevent and manage it. Listen now on all major podcast platforms! "S...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kassidy Buse, Dairy Technical Service Specialist at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explores the ROI of clean feed and why on-farm hygiene plays a critical role in dairy herd health and performance. She breaks down the hidden costs of spoilage, microbial load, and poor feed management across the entire feeding process. Learn practical strategies to protec...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Peter Surai, a professor of nutritional biochemistry, explores the science behind selenium’s impact on immunity, reproduction, and stress resilience in dairy cattle. He discusses different selenium sources, bioavailability challenges, hydroxy-selenomethionine benefits, and strategies for optimizing supplementation. Learn how to fine-tune selenium supp...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Juan Romero from the University of Maine talks about practical ways to reduce hay nutrient losses in humid climates—a common challenge for dairy producers. He highlights the benefits of using preservatives, improving storage techniques, and maintaining forage quality to preserve nutrients. With a focus on cutting spoilage and boosting profitability, D...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Marcia Endres from the University of Minnesota shares how precision tech is reshaping daily life on dairy farms. From robotic milking systems to computer vision and welfare-monitoring sensors, she shares practical insights into how data-driven tools are shaping herd management, animal comfort, and productivity. Understand the real-world challenges and...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Richard Breunig, founder, president, and owner of Priority IAC, shares how microbiology and nutrition work together to reshape dairy cattle health. He explores smart bacteria , the importance of pH balance, and challenges in feeding models. Discover how microbial solutions can optimize rumen function and improve herd performance. Listen now on all major p...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Johanna Fink-Gremmels, a veterinarian specialized in pharmacology and toxicology, unpacks the complex role of biofilms in dairy cattle health and farm management. She explains how bacterial communities impact antibiotic resistance, chronic infections, and nutrient utilization, offering insight into prevention strategies, such as quorum sensing manipul...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Brian Sanford, Eastern US Team Lead at smaXtec, discusses the advantages of bolus technology in dairy herd management. He explains how highly precise, real-time data from the reticulum—such as inner body temperature and water intake—enables early disease detection, improved diagnoses, and better reproductive outcomes. Learn how this technology is helping...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Lindsay Ferlito and Betsy Hicks from Cornell University Extension explores the complexities of benchmarking in dairy health management. They discuss the challenges of disease recording, the importance of consistent data collection, and how these insights can improve farm management. Don’t miss this episode for valuable knowledge on optimizing herd health...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Tom Woodall, founder of AGRI-TRAC Inc., shares his insights on the evolution of dairy barns, with a focus on addressing lameness in dairy cows through flooring solutions. Tom discusses the importance of proper barn maintenance and how traction milling technology is helping dairy farmers reduce costs and improve cow health. Listen now on all major platform...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Lina Castano-Duque from USDA-ARS explores the critical role of predictive models in managing mycotoxin outbreaks in US corn. She discusses the key environmental factors, soil conditions, and insect pressure that drive fungal growth and toxin production, such as aflatoxins and fumonisins, which impact feed quality and herd health. Listen now on all maj...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Melina Bonato, Global Technical and R&D Manager at ICC Animal Nutrition, shares her expertise on the evolving role of yeast-based products in ruminant nutrition. She shares insights on how yeast products impact rumen health, immune system function, and animal performance. Learn about the different sources of yeast, their benefits, and how they con...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Adrian Barragan, from Penn State University, discusses essential strategies for workforce management with a focus on animal health training. He emphasizes the challenges of effective personnel training, from ensuring workers understand the "why" behind certain tasks to building a positive, supportive work culture. Tune in for practical tips on...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Tom Nauman, Dairy Nutrition and Technical Services Manager at The Wenger Group, explains what microbiology nutrition is, the role of Smart bacteria , how they support digestive efficiency, and why trusting microbiology-driven concepts is key to improving cow health and performance. Listen now on all major platforms! "When we talk about microbiology nu...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Bryan Miller from Volac addresses modern concerns surrounding mycotoxins in dairy production. Dr. Miller shares strategies for identifying and mitigating mycotoxin risks, highlighting their impact on cow health, milk production, and reproduction. Learn how to tackle these hidden challenges and maintain optimal herd performance with effective feed manageme...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Phil Cardoso, from the University of Illinois, explores strategies for optimizing starch in dairy cow diets while addressing key nutritional challenges. The discussion highlights the role of yeast additives in improving fiber digestibility, feed efficiency, and rumen health. By balancing starch levels, Dr. Cardoso presents practical approaches to enha...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Steven Harnish from Central Manor Dairy discusses the innovations and strategies shaping the “dairy of the future.” Steven shares insights on improving labor efficiency, adopting cutting-edge technologies like the use of bolus, and addressing carbon footprint challenges. He shares practical advice for dairy producers facing industry challenges while build...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Scott Earnest from ProAGtive Technologies shares practical advice on improving dairy replacement health and management. He highlights effective strategies for raising healthier heifers, minimizing non-completion rates, and reducing costs. Dr. Earnest also emphasizes the importance of proper hygiene and colostrum management to ensure strong, healthy ca...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Ignacio Artavia, Global Marketing Manager for Ruminants at dsm-firmenich, explores the critical role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) in dairy cattle health. Unlike traditional vitamin D3, which requires metabolic conversion in the liver and kidneys before becoming bioavailable, 25OHD3 bypasses the first step, allowing for faster absorption and improved e...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Corinna Brock, PhD in Animal Nutrition, discusses fatty acid nutrition in dairy cows. She highlights the expanding role of fats in enhancing energy density, supporting metabolic health, and boosting fertility in high-producing cows. Dr. Brock also shares innovations in fat blends that improve productivity while addressing methane emissions. Listen on...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Laura Solano from the University of Wisconsin–Madison discusses the challenges of digital dermatitis, which affects up to 95% of large dairy operations and around 70% of all US dairies. She explores its impact on cattle health and production, along with effective management strategies. Discover the importance of cow comfort and how it plays a crucial...

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Chad Robbins, from Adisseo, discusses three essential topics for dairy producers: forage quality, the role of amino acids, and transition cow health. Drawing from his extensive industry experience, Chad offers practical advice on improving forage management, leveraging amino acid balancing for better milk production, and supporting cows during the transit...