The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Isaac Poaty Ditengou from Laval University in Canada explains how meta-analysis is applied in poultry nutrition research. He breaks down the fundamentals of data collection, inclusion criteria, and interpretation of results, while highlighting common challenges faced by researchers and students. The conversation shows why meta-analysi...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ayodeji Aderibigbe from The Ohio State University talks about going beyond corn and soy to rethink poultry diets in today’s stressful production environments. He discusses alternatives to traditional corn-soy diets, the role of fiber and ingredient diversity, and how small feed adjustments can help birds to handle stress while maintai...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Vivian Vieira from the University of Alberta discusses how ingredient quality directly affects poultry nutrition outcomes. The conversation focuses on the quality control of feedstuff ingredients, emphasizing grain hardness, processing effects, and nutrient utilization. Practical insights highlight how nutritionists can better interpr...

In this special rerun episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. John Boney from Penn State University explains how nutrient segregation develops inside commercial poultry houses and why sampling location matters. He shares new data on feed line length, pellet quality, and amino acid variability, and how these factors influence flock uniformity and processing outcomes. Learn practical...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Bonnie Walters from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls breaks down critical management factors for backyard flocks, including breed selection, regional housing needs, and balanced feeding strategies to keep small flocks productive and healthy. Listen now on all major platforms! "Balanced diets remain essential for backyard bi...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ashley House from Fieldale Farms Corporation discusses how integrated operations use controlled research and field validation to guide formulation decisions. She explains trial design, product evaluation criteria, amino acid strategy development, and how data from research farms transitions into commercial implementation. Listen now o...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Matt Oryschak from the University of Alberta shares his latest findings on using faba beans as a feed ingredient for broilers and layers. He discusses their nutritional value, tannin concerns, inclusion levels, and opportunities for Western Canadian pulse growers. Learn how faba beans can balance performance and sustainability in poultry...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Chris Rude, Poultry Nutritionist at Pete and Gerry’s Organics, explains how he formulates diets for different egg marketing categories. He explains how nutrition, bird management, and product specifications work together to achieve consistent egg quality and consistency. Listen now on all major platforms! "We’re very much in that...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Isabel Tobin, Ph. D. candidate at Oklahoma State University, explains her research on gut health and necrotic enteritis prevention in poultry. She highlights how commensal bacteria can strengthen the intestinal barrier, enhance immunity, and reduce pathogen colonization. Listen now on all major platforms! "Colonization resistance is t...

In this episode of the Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jerry Spears, Animal Nutrition Consultant, shares his expertise on trace minerals, with a focus on chromium use in turkeys. He explains how chromium impacts insulin sensitivity, stress reduction, and immune function, while also discussing its effect on growth, feed efficiency, and economic return. Listen now on all major platforms! &#...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Dawn Koltes from Iowa State University shares her research on enzymes in turkey nutrition. She explains the differences between endogenous and exogenous enzymes, how turkey feeding practices have evolved, and why more updated research is needed. Listen now on all major platforms! "Exogenous enzymes are essentially enzymes that we...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Dana Didde, Poultry Nutritionist at Jones-Hamilton Co., discusses the growing role of functional feed ingredients in modern poultry nutrition. She explains how sodium bisulfate supports gut health, improves feed pH balance, and enhances milling efficiency. Discover how this versatile feed ingredient can enhance nutrition programs and...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Martin Gierus from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) discusses the challenges and opportunities of using insect meal as an alternative protein source in poultry nutrition. He explores digestibility, nutrient variability, and environmental impact compared to traditional feed ingredients. Learn what makes inse...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Rony Riveros, a postdoctoral researcher at São Paulo State University and visiting scholar at INRAE in France, explains how nutritional modeling is revolutionizing poultry feed strategies. He discusses practical applications for performance optimization, sustainability, and precision feeding using dynamic mathematical tools. Listen no...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Jodie Allen, Ph. D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, explains her research on Salmonella control in poultry products. She discusses how phytochemicals and nanoemulsions can enhance food safety, their effectiveness compared to commercial sanitizers, and the challenges of balancing safety with cost and product quality. Listen now...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ally Milby-Blackledge from Texas A&M University shares her journey transitioning from student to faculty in the Poultry Science Department. She discusses the challenges of teaching nearly 400 students a year, adapting to new learning styles, and balancing professionalism with relatability. Learn how she fosters collaboration, prep...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Marco Antonio Ebbing, poultry nutritionist at JBS Seara Brazil, explains the key role of ingredient analysis and feed processing in ensuring consistent broiler performance. He highlights the challenges of moisture variability in grains, communication with feed mill staff, and the importance of precise calibrations in formulation. Gain...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Savannah Wells from the University of Arkansas explores the use of soybean add-backs and soybean genotype selection for improving nutrient composition in poultry diets. She explains their energy value, moisture content, and practical inclusion in broiler feed. Listen now on all major platforms! "With more soybean crushing, we're p...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Bayo Sokale from BASF breaks down the evolving role of β-mannanase in poultry diets. He shares how this enzyme supports both nutrition and gut health, offers tips on applying matrix values, and explores its impact on the immune response. Listen now on all major platforms! "β-mannanase reduces gut viscosity, which helps improve nut...

In this special episode, celebrating National Chicken Month, Dr. Sandro Cerrate, Poultry Nutrition Consultant, shares his insights on broiler breeder nutrition practices. He discusses how different countries approach poultry nutrition, the challenges posed by mycotoxins, and strategies for enhancing egg production and overall poultry health. Listen now on all major platforms! "The best recomme...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Karen Vignale from Kemin discusses turkey dermatitis and its impact on gut health. She shares insights into the causes of dermatitis in turkeys, its connection to gut permeability, and how a nutritional tool can help mitigate the issue. Tune in now on all major platforms! "Using a combination of probiotics and phytogenics, we were...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Taina Lopes, a postdoctoral fellow at Auburn University, explores how nutrition may influence immune responses to Newcastle disease in poultry. She breaks down the impact of viral shedding, immunization challenges, and the role of nutrients like vitamin D and zinc in immune support. Learn how immunity and nutrition intersect in poultr...

In this second part of the episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michael Lilburn from Ohio State University continues exploring the complexities of zinc nutrition in poultry. He explores transporters, immune function, microbiome interactions, and the limitations of current zinc research methodologies. Dr. Lilburn also discusses the effectiveness of organic vs. inorganic zinc sour...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michael Lilburn, Emeritus Professor at Ohio State University, explores the complex role of zinc in poultry nutrition. He discusses historical context, metabolic functions, enzyme interactions, and ongoing misconceptions around zinc requirements. Gain science-backed insights into digestibility and bioavailability. Listen now on all maj...

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Juan Gabriel Espino, specialist in monogastric animal nutrition, discusses the role of mathematics in poultry nutrition and the application of nonlinear models in growth prediction for pullets and broilers. He explains how the Gompertz function can be used as a powerful tool to improve feed phase management, optimize nutrient strategies,...