Dairy Science Digest - a podcast developed to share the MOST current research published in the Journal of Dairy science. Hear directly from the research authors on how their results can impact your herd’s profitability. Science you can base your management decisions around. Designed to rarely exceed 30 minutes, this podcast provides ONLY the ”need to know” info for dairy producers. Keywords: dairy, science, reproduction, production, extension, cattle, MIZZOU, MU, Dairy Team, #2xAg2030
…
continue reading
Seems like calcium and phosphorus gather up all the attention, but there is growing awareness of the importance of magnesium – the “runner up mineral” in the dairy cow diet. Some sources of magnesium are simply more available than others. This fact has the ignited the interest of ruminant nutritionists looking to focus their research efforts on det…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.7 |Machine learning to find SARA prevalence in your herd
25:32
25:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:32
Subacute Ruminal acidosis, commonly referred to as SARA, could be robbing your herd of production. When pH dips too low for too long the biology of the rumen shifts, butterfat slides and overall health of the herd is negatively impacted. But how can you tell if your herd has SARA? This month we invite Dr. Eric Paquet and Felix Huot, from Université…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.6 | Heat stress changes to the Mammary Gland
29:42
29:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:42
When your bulk tank volume takes a plunge through the last bout of heat, do you ever wonder exactly WHY? What is it in the udder that changes to cause the decline? Why do we also commonly see elevated SCC in our tanks too? To best understand the why, the Virgina Tech dairy team collected tissue samples from the mammary gland of cows in controlled e…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.5 | Avoid generations of production losses
32:29
32:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:29
Florida researchers began a generational study in 2007 that is still years in the making. It all began with the investigation of the impact of heat stress on dry cows to measure changes that might occur to the calf incubating inside the hot dam, like a crock pot. In addition to seeing negative production impacts on mama, the researchers began to me…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.4 | Reconsider Choline for lasting returns
36:43
36:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:43
Choline, a pseudovitamin, is required by all mammals including the dairy cow for many essential functions. Research in supplementing rumen protected choline really took off about twenty years ago, however continues today to best understand how this feed through additive can positively influence profitability. Dr. Usman Arshad joins the conversation…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.3 | Slight modifications of CIDR Sync - help or hinder?
27:05
27:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:05
DSD 5.3 | Slight modifications of CIDR Sync - help or hinder? In this time of heifer inventory shortage – getting heifers pregnant (in a timely fashion) is even more important than ever. Contract heifer growers in California sought the help of Dr. Fabio Lima and his team at UC Davis to best understand the use of a 6-day CIDR sync with variable rate…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 5.2 | Stop fresh cow subclinical mastitis in its tracks without withhold
24:28
24:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:28
Getting the fresh cow off to a strong start has ripple effects for her entire lactation. Subclinical mastitis rarely gets treated due to an unawareness or a lack of interest in pulling her from the tank. Nisin is a naturally occurring antimicrobial that’s been used widely as a food preservative. Dr. Zelmar Rodriguez and his team from Michigan State…
…
continue reading
Efficient production is the name of the game, and the key to an efficient cow is her rumen microbiome. The highlighted research this month focuses in on the intersection of Genome of the host cow, Microbiome within the rumen and the Intersection of the two. To best understand the rumen efficiency story we talk this month with Dr. Guillermo Martinez…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.12 | Mature mamas sail through transition with beef cross calves
25:43
25:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:43
Beef on dairy is here to stay. These cross animals generate a revenue stream for dairies as it lubricates the parallel industry of beef production. Much research is being poured into this topic to ensure producers can make wise breeding choices going forward. This month we talk with Bailey Basiel from Penn State University, about their recently rel…
…
continue reading
Over the past 30 years the reproduction status of dairy has improved substantially, largely due to research around reproduction synchronization. This month we talk to Dr. Paul Fricke and Megan Lauber from the University of Wisconsin, about their recently released paper titled: Effect of postpartum body condition score change on the pregnancy outcom…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.10 | Prevent Early Embryonic Losses
30:33
30:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:33
Pregnancy is the key to profitability, ensuring your herd remains in the most profitable phase of production. However, these early embryos are delicate and often are not carried out through the entire 283 days of gestation. This month we talk with Dr. Stephen LaBlanc, from the University of Guelph about quantifying the frequency of early pregnancy …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.9 | Is your starch locked up by Zein proteins?
28:48
28:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:48
Corn silage is such piece in your ration. Much work has been done by corn breeders to create the most ideal plant with high yields, digestible forage AND starch to support lactation. This month we talk with Dr. José Varela and feature a foundational silage project he and his team worked on at the University of Wisconsin to better understand specifi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.8 | How does grass-based milk impact human nutrition?
37:37
37:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:37
Research in Ireland is focused around better understanding the intersection of management and cattle nutrition on the quality of the milk produced within a system. This month we talk specifically about three different feeding strategies – TMR, PMR or grass based investigated for an entire lactation. The vast majority of Irish dairymen attempt to ma…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.7 | Ketosis and Antioxidant ability - Chicken or the egg?
20:19
20:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:19
DSD 4.7 | Is there a relationship between Ketosis and antioxidant ability For years, dairy producers have worked towards best understanding all the challenges a cow experiences as she transitions from dry into lactation. If we can best identify the animals who take this transition in stride, we can work towards improving the single most challenging…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.6 | Accounting for accelerated genetic improvement
26:08
26:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:08
Producers are becoming increasingly willing to make strides in the herd’s genetic progress through using embryo transfer (ET). We’ve seen a 12% increase in this management practice. Dr. Asha Miles, a Research Geneticist from USDA, talks with us about the sire evaluation program and specifically about the impact of on farm reporting of embryo transf…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.5 | Achieve Efficiency with Low N Rations
21:03
21:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:03
Protein is expensive. Farms decreasing protein to save cost or save the environment creates a need to tweak a few things to keep your herd’s rumen running smooth. A rumen starved of protein will result in less branch chained volatile fatty acids (BCVFA) production in the rumen. These BCVFAs help fuel fiber degrading bacteria, and when concentration…
…
continue reading
What if you were able to tell within the first 10-14 days of lactation, if a cow would settle to first service – two months later? What tools are being developed to help answer that question? This month we talk with Dr. Stefan Borchardt about work his research team recently completed using AMS (activity monitoring systems) to track the impact of tr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.3 | Financial thresholds of successful dairies in NY
35:27
35:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:27
The dairy industry is capital intensive. Maintaining strong relationships with your lender, based on YOUR farm’s financial data, will help navigate through all the different market conditions. Specifically, using financial thresholds and benchmarking against similar farms will help your farm’s financial resiliency over time. This month Dr. Chris Wo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.2 | How to anticipate colostrum changes
29:12
29:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:12
Colostrum: the liquid gold of life for newborn dairy calves. While it’s fairly universally understood how important colostrum is, we occasionally encounter the bizarre situation when a cow comes in with very little or no colostrum. Then, shortly later another cow comes in and nearly overflows the bucket. This situation intrigued researchers out of …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 4.1 | Fueling the appetite of your herd
20:29
20:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:29
A good rule of thumb many nutritionists work by; when the cow increases intake - every 1 pound of feed increase will result in 2.5 additional pounds of milk. Capturing this “marginal milk” helps increase profits for dairy producers who are already covering all the fixed costs of the herd. For years, Dr. Mike Allen and others have studied the mechan…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.12 | One minute delay is costing you
23:18
23:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:18
On-farm data mining from your parlor equipment could help you identify bimodality in your herd. Bimodality refers to delayed milk ejection during the early phase of the milking. Previous research and repeated work by M. Wieland’s team has shown that a delay in milk let down can result in a significant loss of milk. Equipped with this information ou…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.11 | Ultrasound assessment of pneumonia
26:02
26:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:02
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a costly concern primarily during the calf phase production. This is especially relevant to veal production, when young and venerable calves are commingled from many farms. However, BVD breakouts can also occur on calf ranches raising dairy x beef calves or even individual dairy farms. This month Dr. Stan Jourqui…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.10| Fetal programming effects of Choline
13:55
13:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:55
Fetal programming is an emerging topic. This month listen in to learn more about how feeding Choline to your transition pen could transform the metabolism and next generation of the herd. Researcher Dr. Tucker Swartz at the Michigan State University and his team in Bradford’s lab fed choline 24 days prior to freshening and measured the impact on th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.9| Turn methane from a liability into an asset
23:38
23:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:38
While it is a fairly unpopular topic among most dairymen, the carbon neutrality goal for 2050 has been declared by leaders of the dairy industry to ensure we are meeting the desires of consumers. This month Dr. Frank Mitloehner joins us from UC Davis to discuss his article is titled, “Defining a pathway to climate neutrality for US dairy cattle pro…
…
continue reading
This month Drs. Keith E. Latham and J. Richard Pursley join us from Michigan State University to discuss their research comparing cows that maintained body condition versus those who lost during the first month of lactation, and the impact that has on reproductive success. Dairy producers are familiar with the struggles cows have when the transitio…
…
continue reading
How much would you value knowing that she’s bred earlier than convention? Canadian researcher Dr. Jean Durocher and his team at DHI was approached by dairy producers to determine the feasibility of weekly milk PAG testing all the way down to 23 days post insemination, potentially helping resync and rebreed her a week earlier. The cost of days open …
…
continue reading
This timely edition addresses questions about the feasibility of Forage Sorghum and Sorghum Sudangrass for your lactating herd. There have been numerous advances to these forages over time resulting in hybrids. Dr. Luis Ferraretto, from the University of Wisconsin, is featured for this June addition to discuss a retroactive study predicting dry mat…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.5 | Modeling biometrics benchmarks for a successful transition cow management
42:34
42:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:34
The transition period has been investigated for nearly 4 decades. Over this time, much has changed in dairy industry including herd management and genetics. Dr. Kerwin, from Cornell, joins us today to discuss the robust observational project documenting the management of 72 successful herds in NY and VT. The project involved tracking the same cohor…
…
continue reading
The final frontier for ruminant nutritionists - understanding all the intricacies and nuances of the microorganisms in the rumen. We know the rumen is adaptable and must anticipate these changes to better manage our herd. This month we talk with Dr. Mary Beth Hall, US Dairy Forage Research center, who investigated the relationship of non-fibrous ca…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 3.3 | Financial Resilience – the individual cow effect
22:30
22:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:30
Positive Profit. Every herd is chasing financial resilience. It is especially relevant on our minds having just completed our schedule Fs and planning for 2022 planting season. Have you ever wondered the lifetime profit of a cow in your herd? How about the average break even for each cow in the herd? Dr. Hadrich was raised on a dairy and questioned…
…
continue reading
The hurdles of the transition period were first identified nearly 3 decades ago. Since then, researchers have been working towards improved understanding of adipose tissue metabolism to fuel the dairy cow during this window of time. This month we interview the author of the Symposium Review titled: The role of adipose tissue in transition dairy cow…
…
continue reading
Settling the problem breeder is an achievement every dairy manager wants to better understand. This month’s topic focuses in on the role of GnRH injections and the relationship with the cow’s activity. Listen in as Dr. Tracy Burnett, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver Canada, studied this topic and has added to our conventional wi…
…
continue reading
Dehorning, the task no one loves. This month pain expert Dr. Michael D. Kleinhenz, from Kansas State, describes research his team conducted to test the effectiveness of long-acting bupivacaine for pain relief during and following disbudding. Listen in to learn about a novel approach to measure pain levels, to determine the effectiveness of Bupivaca…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
2.11 | Measuring Fat During the Transition Period
18:18
18:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:18
As the dairy cow transitions from dry to lactating, she experiences numerous changes. This month we learn more about the biological details of fat metabolism. Dr. Contreras, from Michigan State University, guides us through a discussion around the project specifically focusing in on what occurs to the fat, at a cellular level, of a cow challenged b…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 2.10 | Impact of on farm feed in your AMS
17:17
17:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:17
To help save feed costs, many producers have turned to on farm feed as a resource. However, what is not well understood is the impact of this choice for dairies using automatic milking systems (AMS), or robots. Dr. Greg Penner and his team at the University of Saskatchewan researched the feasibility of using home grown, steam-flaked barley versus p…
…
continue reading
This month we’re going to navigate a bit away from production practices and talk about consumers understanding of our products. By better understanding HOW consumers view the image of our industry, we can become better advocates and perhaps sell more products. Dr. Laurel Redding joins us today from the University of Pennsylvania, school of Veterina…
…
continue reading
Essential trace elements are “essential” because the diet is the only source. However, sometimes because they are trace, we tend to forget about the importance. Listen in this month to learn from Dr. David Casper about the importance of cobalt in energy metabolism of your lactating herd. This specific research project is discussing the difference b…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 2.7 | Timing of Prefresh Vaccination matters
24:03
24:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:03
Timing is everything - by shifting your prepartum vaccination program by one week, can make big difference in the success of your transition program. Dr. Schuenemann, Ohio State’s Extension state dairy veterinarian, investigated the difference between giving prepartum vaccines at day -28 vs -21. Listen in to hear why the industry should consider th…
…
continue reading
Heifer development, one of the most expensive enterprises on the farm, all expense with delayed return. This month, Dr. Jolet Van Niekerk summarizes a comprehensive review of heifer development in the Journal of Dairy Science, titled: New frontiers in calf and heifer nutrition—From conception to puberty. This article in press is the ADSA Foundation…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 2.4 | Reproductive Success for late calving grazers
19:46
19:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:46
In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Matt Lucy, Editor in chief of the Journal of Dairy Science Communication and Reproduction physiologist from the University of Missouri, discusses work he and team published this month about successfully synchronizing late calvers in a seasonal calving system. Grazers represent a large portion of Missouri'…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 2.3 | Fresh Cow Ration - Protein Matters
18:09
18:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:09
In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Bill Weiss, from The Ohio State University, discusses work he and his co-author Alex Tebbes recently completed on determining the ideal amount of crude protein for your fresh cow pen. Additionally, they determined the sweet spot for forage for the recently fresh cow to ensure the highest intake - and ther…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD 2.2 - The Future of Milk testing | pregnancy, disease and efficiency
17:20
17:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:20
In this edition of Dairy Science digest Professor Mike Coffey, a researcher from the Scotland, describes the advancements with inline milk sampling. He explains how improvements in technology allows us to analyze subtle changes in the milk. These subtle changes occur with pregnancy, disease, metabolic disruptions and even to differentiate efficient…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD S2E1 Solar Panels in your dairy system
15:00
15:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:00
This episode we learn from Dr. Bradley Heins, from the University of Minnesota, all about integrating solar into your dairy grazing operation. He has learned about construction considerations, cow cleanliness and the shading effect of solar panels added to a rotational system. His research titled "Evaluation of solar photovoltic systems to shade co…
…
continue reading
On this episode of Dairy Science Digest Fayth Kumro, MS Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri discusses Flashmate. This heat detection device uses touch screen technology to determine when your cows are in heat. Her research was conducted in both grazing operations and confinement. Learn more about how to affordably improve heat detection…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
DSD7 - No magic body weight target for success
16:12
16:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:12
Dairy Science Digest's Reagan Bluel interviews Dr. Chad Dechow, Geneticist from Penn St., to discuss the sweet spot in heifer development for the 7th episode of Dairy Science Digest. This 15 year research project supported that the biggest heifers aren't the most profitable for your operation. Heaviest heifers are 49% more likely to be culled at a …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dairy Science Digest 6: Aspirin for dystocia
22:50
22:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:50
Can a few bolus' of aspirin really make a difference? Listen here to hear the research of Dr. Adrian Barragan, of Penn State University, discussing how this simple therapy can have a huge impact on inflammation, and therefore productivity of your fresh cows. Dairy Science digest is a monthly podcast hosted by Reagan Bluel, of MU - Extension Dairy t…
…
continue reading
Dairy science digest #5 interviews Taylor McWhorter, from Georgia, to discuss considerations when selecting beef sires for your breeding program. Specifically focusing in on sire conception rates or SCR. Journal of Dairy Science, Sept 2020. Title: Investigating conception rate for beef service sires bred to dairy cows and heifers.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dairy Science Digest - Tricks for workforce development
30:38
30:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:38
In this edition of Dairy Science Digest, Stan Moore from MI State provides us insight to what employees (both hired and family) need to feel committed to your farm. Quality relationships are easy to develop, as long as your mindful of your approach. Listen in to catch nuggets of critical information to meet your farm where you are in the stage of w…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dairy Science Digest - Calves born to Heat stressed dams are preprogrammed for failure
26:08
26:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:08
In this edition Reagan Bluel interviews Dr. Jimena Laporta, from the University of Florida, about heat stress in your dry cow herd. We've learned, from a decade of data, that heat stress on a dam during the dry period causes a change to her calf that last a lifetime and is passed down to her offspring. This change causes decreased milk production, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dairy Science Digest-Does Repro Technologies fit in your herd?
30:08
30:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:08
Dairy Science digest is a monthly podcast developed to share current research in Dairy Science. The "need to know" info to help manage your herd. This month, Dr. Richard Chebel, from the University of FL discusses the effect of bringing SCR collars into a high producing Holstein herd in FL.This research looked at using the activity collars for conv…
…
continue reading