Real Science Exchange-Dairy

Rob and Adrian share their family’s journey, from Dutch immigrant roots to managing large-scale dairy operations in California and Colorado, and discuss how communication, leadership structure and disciplined decision-making have helped them successfully scale their operation. The conversation also dives into lessons learned from facility design, sustainability initiatives and the launch of a consumer colostrum brand rooted in dairy science.Rob and Adrian introduce themselves and share their family’s immigration story and early dairy roots in California, including how prior generations entered the U.S. dairy industry. (1:01)The Diepersloot’s tell the story growth on their dairy operations, including expansion in California, the decision to diversify geographically and the opportunity that led them to build Wolf Creek Dairy in Colorado in 2017. (1:29)Rob and Adrian describe how they build and empower a strong leadership team, emphasizing the importance of hiring the right people, expecting managers to think like owners, and conducting efficient and candid meetings that focus on the entire business. (6:25)The conversation shifts to facility design and operational successes in Colorado, including no-headlock systems, sort gates, feed efficiency improvements, and later adopted in California. (9:59)Sustainability initiatives are explored, including methane digesters, power generation, manure management and solar energy projects, with a comparison of approaches between California and Colorado. (11:10)Rob and Adrian share lessons learned from technology challenges, including manure handling systems, activity collars, and feeding infrastructure, and how those experiences shaped future decisions. (15:46)The discussion turns to the origin of WonderCow Nutrition, detailing how academic research on colostrum and personal family experiences led to the launch of a consumer colostrum brand in 2023. (17:47)Rob explains WonderCow’s calf-first sourcing commitment, how colostrum is collected responsibly, and what differentiates whole colostrum products from skim-based alternatives. (20:19)The episode concludes with a preview of the exclusive “Back 30” live Q&A, available only to live webinar attendees, and a reminder of upcoming Real Producer Exchange events including the next one on February 17 with Skylar Gericke out of Arizona which will focus on reproduction success and heat stress. (23:23)

In the Real Science Exchange Legacy Series, we celebrate the pioneers who have shaped the dairy industry. In this episode, we honor Dr. Don Beitz, a distinguished professor at Iowa State University. At the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting, a symposium was held titled “Donald C. Beitz Recognition Symposium: 50-Plus Years of Dairy Science Research.” The guests on this episode, all former graduate students of Dr. Beitz, were speakers at the event. Join us as we explore Dr. Beitz’s contributions and enduring impact on our industry. Panelists introduce themselves and how they met Dr. Beitz. Tricky MS and PhD exam questions are also shared. Panelists emphasize Dr. Beitz’s love for biochemistry, teaching, and collaboration. (1:17)Dr. Beitz shares about his early life, academic career, and family. (11:45)Dr. Goff’s symposium presentation focused on Dr. Beitz and colleagues’ contribution to our understanding of transition cow hypocalcemia. He talks about studies on low calcium diets, investigating the metabolic pathways of vitamin D, and low phosphorus diets. Dr. Beitz also studied the impact of vitamin D on meat tenderness. (22:37)Dr. Nelson’s presentation detailed the advances in understanding bovine immunology from the work of Don Beitz and his colleagues. From the milk fever vitamin D research, it was also discovered that vitamin D had an impact on the immune system, which led to further work with vitamin A and immunity as well. Dr. Beitz also had students investigate calf growth rate influence on immune system development as well as Johne’s disease. (27:22)Dr. Drackley focused on Dr. Beitz’s work in understanding fatty liver and ketosis. The transition period was of interest to Dr. Beitz, which is reflected not only in his work in hypocalcemia, but also the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of ketosis. Dr. Beitz and his colleague, Dr. Young, developed a successful ketosis model using a slight feed restriction and supplementing a ketone body precursor, which was used to investigate ketosis and fatty liver. (30:25)Dr. VandeHaar spoke about Dr. Beitz’s passion for research and teaching in dairy science, biochemistry, and life. He emphasized the depth and breadth of Dr. Beitz’s work and teaching. He shared that Dr. Beitz has served as major professor for around 107 graduate students and has taught biochemistry to over 16,000 students. (35:02)The panelists share stories about Dr. Beitz’s humility, care and support for students, and the many different professional societies he has been involved in over his career. (38:39)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (42:56)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode features Dr. Glen Broderick and Dr. May Beth Hall, speakers at the 2025 ADSA Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: Anomalies in Analyzed Nutrient Composition of Feedstuffs.Dr. Broderick’s presentation was titled “Protein analysis methodology.” The high points of his talk include recommendations for nitrogen analysis in feeds, potential improvements in determining protein degradability and undegradability in the rumen, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis of amino acid composition of feedstuffs. (7:57)Dr. Hall’s presentation was titled “Success and continuing challenges in analyzing nonfiber carbohydrates.” She gives some history of the analysis of non-fiber carbohydrates and talks about starch assays and how water-soluble carbohydrates are not solely composed of sugars. She also explains how microbes make decisions on which substrates to ferment and which to store for later. (12:47)The panelists talk about challenges in obtaining real-time nutrient analyses in order to make ration changes. They recommend using rolling averages rather than a single sample and using milk urea nitrogen as a way to evaluate if something is not quite right with a ration. (21:17)Dr. Broderick notes he recommends that scientists no longer use the Kjeldahl method of nitrogen analysis, that we look for new or alternative methodology other than in situ digestibility to determine protein degradability, and that NIR analysis of amino acids be used to make ration decisions when calibrated for the feedstuff under consideration. (27:10)Dr. Hall recommends using the appropriate carbohydrate standard when measuring water-soluble carbohydrates: sucrose for fresh forages, fructose for cool-season grasses with high fructan content,  etc. She also notes that some feeds, like bakery waste or amylase-modified grain, contain soluble starch, which shows up in both the starch category and the water-soluble category in a feed analysis, essentially double-dipping. Lastly, she suggests that nonfiber carbohydrates remain a bit of a nutritional black box and we continue to learn more with improved technology.   (29:36)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (43:31)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode features Dr. Jocelyn Johnson with STgenetics, a speaker at the 2025 ADSA Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Creating Carbon-Friendly Cows and Leveraging Omics to Improve the Sustainability of Dairy Production.Dr. Johnson’s presentation was titled “Advancing dairy sustainability through feed-efficient genetics and genomics: Research insights and applications.” She gives an overview of her talk, which focused on data STgenetics has collected and how the company has applied that data to help their customers be more sustainable. She goes on to describe some of the residual feed intake research they’ve conducted in dairy cows. (4:20)STgenetics has invested in feed efficiency technology and has shown that selection for improved feed efficiency is correlated to a lower carbon footprint. Dr. Johnson talks about the heritability of feed efficiency compared to other traits we select for in the dairy industry.  (8:16)Dr. Pralle asks Dr. Johnson if STgenetics is measuring emissions from cows in their research. The company has partnered with Texas A&M to measure methane emissions in heifers divergently selected for feed efficiency. They found that more efficient animals produced less methane. Since that pilot project, STgenetics has purchased equipment to measure emissions at their own research facilities and has collected 2-3 years of data on beef, beef on dairy, and Holstein populations. Dr. Johnson emphasizes that the relationship between methane emissions and high milk production is somewhat of a balancing act. (11:29)The group discusses feed additives purported to decrease methane emissions and the differences in rumen microbiomes between high and low efficiency animals. They also talk about how best to get information and technology in front of producers.  (17:59)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (23:39)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Eve gives an overview of current and future consumer trends where dairy can play a role. Functional foods, health and wellness, high protein foods, fermented and cultured foods, women’s health, brain health, and aging are all part of the mix. (7:26)The panelists discuss the healthfulness of saturated fats, the resurgence of butter, milk’s bioactive compounds, and how best to reach the public about the health benefits of dairy. (10:41)Eve talks about marketing to Gen Z consumers, who are motivated by novelty. How do we reimagine a food that’s been here for thousands of years? What new ways can we talk about it? What ways can we optimize dairy science and research to show up in generative systems like ChatGPT? (20:34)The group then tackles the topic of lactose. Lactose and honey are the only two sugars not made by plants. Why is it lactose that is in the milk of mammals? Dr. Jiminez-Flores thinks lactose is a dark horse in dairy and we have much yet to discover about it. He notes that some milk oligosaccharides are not digested by babies, but are used by bacteria in the development of a healthy microbiome. Dr. Lucy notes that dairy also contains peptides that have been found to reduce hypertension. The group also delves into how dairy products can be part of preventative health care. (23:53)Do consumers perceive dairy products to be minimally processed? Eve explains that dairy is perceived as a clean, fresh food. Given the current trend to reduce additives and food dyes, she sees potential for dairy food science innovation in this area. Dr. Aldrich talks about the glycemic index of lactose-free milk. (38:13)The panelists agree that dairy has a great upcycling story to tell. Converting fiber into milk and meat and feeding non-human grade byproducts are just two examples. Eve notes that younger consumers care about sustainability, but there’s a huge “say-do” gap: 76% of North American consumers identify as caring about conscious and sustainable practices, but less than 40% actually act on those values when making purchases. The panel also notes that whey is another great upcycling story. Dr. Jiminez-Flores emphasizes how important consumer trust in science and research is, and how we are currently experiencing a loss of that trust. (45:48)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (1:01:01)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Dr. Lock presented a Real Science Lecture Series webinar on June 3, 2025. This episode takes a deep dive into the current science and applications of feeding high-oleic soybeans in dairy diets. You can find the original webinar at balchem.com/realscience. Dr. Lock gives an overview of the evolution of our knowledge of biologically important fatty acids in dairy cows. Much like we think more about amino acids than crude protein these days, we are starting to think about fatty acids rather than crude fat. There are 5 main fatty acids in dairy cow diets: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic. Dr. Lock talks about the importance and role of each, especially that of oleic acid. (6:26)  Dr. Bales shares some of the research she conducted in Dr. Lock’s lab during her MS and PhD, including a dose response study, raw versus roasted beans, and roasted beans plus supplemental palmitic acid. All studies have resulted in increased milk fat and milk yield, better feed efficiency, and usually a bump in milk protein. She also notes there is a nice synergistic relationship between the fat and degradable protein in the roasted high-oleic beans, which are high in lysine. (13:59)Nate talks a bit about how the elevator positions high-oleic soybeans to the dairy producers in the area and how different farms have implemented feeding the beans, depending on size, infrastructure, and location. Dr. Bales chimes in with some additional examples. (21:02)The panelists agree that quality control to ensure consistent sources going out into the field is the next big hurdle. Finding the optimal particle size for diets is also needed, as there is a wide variation currently, which may impact cow performance. (31:56)Nate predicts no slowing down in the adoption of this technology in his area in the next few years. Dr. Lock notes there may be some potential for feeding high-oleic oil in areas not suited for growing the beans themselves. The panelists agree that the target groups who should receive high-oleic beans in their rations are fresh cows and high cows. Nate emphasizes the importance of having adequate digestible NDF and a healthy rumen to see optimal results. (37:10)Dr. Lock talks about future research plans into high-oleic soybeans and other fatty acids. The panel comments on the yield of high-oleic soybeans and the availability of seed, both conventional and GMO. (48:48)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (59:15)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

In this episode, we showcase student research at the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Abstracts can be found here: ADSA 2025 Annual MeetingAbstract 2186: Effects of feeding alternative forage silages on early lactation performance and gas production in multiparous Holstein cows. (00:15)Guests: Barbara Dittrich and Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-MadisonCo-Host: Dr. Clay Zimmerman, BalchemBarbara substituted rye silage, triticale silage, rye-camelina-hairy vetch silage, and triticale-camalina-hairy vetch silage to replace 10% of the alfalfa silage in the control diet for her experimental diets. Dry matter intake and gas production were similar across diets. Average milk yield was higher in the rye mix silage group compared to the triticale mix silage group, but no treatment was different than the control.  Abstract 1602: Optimizing starch concentrations in low-forage diets. (11:22)Guests: Irie Moussiaux and Dr. Kirby Krogstad, Ohio State UniversityCo-host: Dr. Jeff Elliott, BalchemIrie investigated different levels of starch in a low-forage diet (12.5% NDF) by replacing soybean hulls with corn to yield 20%, 25%, or 30% starch. Dry matter intake and milk production were the same for all three starch concentrations; however, the low starch diet had the highest milk fat yield and energy-corrected milk yield. Abstract 2183: Effects of partial replacement of corn and oat silages with extracted stevia plant on production, behavior, and digestibility in dairy cows. (17:05)Guests: Mariana Marino and Dr. Jose Santos, University of FloridaCo-host: Dr. Clay Zimmerman, BalchemMariana fed stevia plant byproduct as a replacement for corn and oat silage in lactating cow diets. All diets had 40% grain and 60% forage. Stevia byproduct was included at 0, 25%, or 40% of diet dry matter. The byproduct is of very fine particle size and is relatively high in lignin. This resulted in higher dry matter intake, but lower milk production for the highest stevia diet. Abstract 2472: Evaluating feed sorting behavior and TMR composition in roughage intake control feeding systems. (26:38)Guests: Sophia Green and Dr. Heather White, University of Wisconsin-MadisonCo-host: Dr. Ryan Pralle, BalchemSophia evaluated feed sorting in a research intake control feeding system (RIC bins). Feed sorting primarily occurred in the last 12 hours of the feed day, and particle size was smaller at the end of the day than earlier. Compared to fresh feed at hour zero, the chemical composition of the diet did not change throughout the feed day. RIC bins did not introduce additional variance in nutrient consumption. Abstract 1603: Assessing an ex vivo assay with gastrointestinal tissue sections to investigate mucosal immune responses in dairy calves. (35:24)Guests: Paiton McDonald and Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State UniversityPaiton challenged explants from the ileum and mid-jejunum in the lab with rotavirus or E. coli compared to a control. Pathogen stimulation increased mRNA abundance of TNF and IL6 above control. Ileal sections secreted more cytokines than jejunal sections. Abstract 1466: The short-term effect of increasing doses of palmitic and stearic acid on plasma fatty acid concentration and mammary arteriovenous difference in Holstein cows. (40:17)Guests: Alanna Staffin and Dr. Kevin Harvatine, Penn State UniversityCo-host: Dr. Jeff Elliott, BalchemAlanna fed mid-lactation cows 0, 150, 300, 500, or 750 grams of palmitic acid, stearic acid, or no supplement control. Palmitic acid increased milk fat yield at lower doses compared to stearic acid. Alanna found that the mammary gland increases its arteriovenous (AV) difference and uptake of palmitic acid when higher concentrations are provided, but AV difference and uptake of stearic acid did not change. Abstract 2006: Does hay improve performance in pair-housed dairy calves? (50:00)Guests: Gillian Plaugher and Dr. Melissa Cantor, Penn State UniversityGillian fed pelleted hay to pair-housed dairy calves along with milk replacer and calf starter. Control calves received milk replacer and calf starter only. Hay-fed pairs grew faster than controls after day 21 and were heavier at day 70. Hay feeding did not impact calf starter DMI or feed efficiency. Abstract 1463: Dietary metabolizable protein and palmitic and oleic acids affect milk production in early lactation dairy cows. (1:02:03)Guests: Jair Parales-Giron and Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State UniversityCo-host: Dr. Clay ZimmermanJair fed two different levels of metabolizable protein and 3 different levels of supplemental fatty acids from 1 to 22 days in milk followed by a common diet to evaluate carryover effects to day 50. Metabolizable protein and fatty acid supplementation had additive effects on milk production. Cows fed the highest dose of both metabolizable protein and fatty acids produced 8.9 kg more energy-corrected milk per day compared to the low metabolizable protein diet without fatty acid supplementation.

This episode features speakers from the 2025 ADSA Opening Session Panel: Designing Dairy 2045—Envisioning the Future of Cows, Dairy Products, and Farms, which explored the long-term future of dairy.Dr. VandeHaar explains the idea behind creating the panel discussion for the opening session and his selection of the other three podcast guests as panel members. (2:02)Dr. Baes was the genomics expert on the panel. Her talk focused on what types of data have been collected on dairy cattle in the past and in the future, as well as the collaboration needed among different disciplines to ensure the right information is being collected in the appropriate way. (4:54)Dr. Hostens was the data analytics expert on the panel. He is a veterinarian by training, but has a strong interest and passion around big data. He notes that a “gut feeling is good, but data is better.” He talks about a project where an existing language model was trained with all Journal of Dairy Science abstracts since 1917 so that answers from chatbots would be fed by JDS knowledge. He talks about other ways this type of approach could be used in the future to provide answers to questions on-farm. (8:09)Eve is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Intelligence at DMI and was the food futurist expert on the panel. She notes that dairy’s image is shifting to that of a health and wellness food. The question then becomes what is the future of health and wellness, and what does the dairy industry need to do to build towards that future? She talks about the roles of data and artificial intelligence in enabling us to design the foods of the future tailored to each individual. She advises that knowing more about your product than anyone else on the planet through technology and science allows you to anticipate what consumers are going to want and need in the future.   (14:33)The panel talks about genetic selection to produce particular components “naturally” rather than through food processing, where the industry is headed in regard to total milk production, breeding dairy cows for health, providing tools for making wise use of resources especially in developing countries, and how the future of big data could impact decisions made on-farm. (20:12)Eve talks about the consumer who has (processed) collagen in their coffee each morning but also demands clean, whole foods. Consumers want it all. She envisions a future where consumers will know the truth about how foods work in their body because they’ll have the technology to measure it. The group goes on to talk about wearable technology like continuous glucose monitors and the variability that exists in the human population compared to variation in Holstein cows, for example. (35:05)The guests talk about where the gaps are in technology - what else do we need to take the next step? Dry matter intake might be one, but Dr. Baes notes that the Danish have technology through video of the feed bunk that allows them to predict intake with surprisingly high accuracy. (41:59)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (47:07)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

In the Real Science Exchange Legacy Series, we celebrate the pioneers who have shaped the dairy industry. In this episode, we honor Dr. Bill Weiss, professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. This episode was recorded at the 2025 ADSA annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, where Dr. Weiss received the 2025 ADSA Award of Honor. Dr. Weiss shares about his early life, schooling, and academic career. (2:29)Panelists introduce themselves and how they know Bill. Dr. Firkins started at OSU one month before Dr. Weiss, Dr. St. Pierre was in graduate school with Dr. Weiss, and Dr. Tebbe was Dr. Weiss’s last graduate student. (4:47)Dr. St. Pierre and Dr. Firkins share about Bill’s deep contributions to the science of energy, protein, and trace mineral nutrition in dairy cattle. They note he was a great mentor to his students and an exceptional colleague. Dr. Weiss reflects on his career and the collaborations he had with his colleagues even though they were on different campuses. Dr. Tebbe underlines what a hard worker Dr. Weiss is, yet always had time for his students. (11:45)Panelists share stories about Bill’s driving, winning 20 gallons of ice cream in a contest in graduate school, Bill’s less serious side, and his love for cars and golf. They also tease him a bit for being a glutton for punishment and serving on both the 2001 NRC and NASEM committees. (19:06)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (29:11)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode features speakers from the 2025 ADSA Applied Nutrition Symposium, “Milk Pricing Dynamics and Strategies for Enhancing Milk Fat Production.” Dr. Lock gave the highlights of his presentation on dietary opportunities for promoting milk fat.  (2:18)Dr. St. Pierre’s presentation focused on the change we've had in the way milk and its components are priced. (5:25)Dr. Van Amburgh’s symposium talk covered amino acid supplementation to high producing cows eliciting more of a milk fat response than a milk protein response. (9:31)Dr. Van Amburgh and Dr. Lock talk about where butyrate fits into milk fat synthesis. Dr. Van Amburgh shares some of his experiences with grass-based dairy diets in Ireland and how those might influence milk fat production. The group discusses de novo and preformed fat synthesis and how diets may or may not influence those two mechanisms. (12:16)The guests talk about an abstract from Dr. Van Amburgh’s lab at the ADSA meetings about supplemental lysine levels. This leads into a discussion of lactose production and fluid milk volume, as well as feedback from cheese processors and the impact of supplemental chromium on milk production parameters. (22:31)Dr. St. Pierre talks about cheese processor concerns with increased milk fat concentrations, milk pricing structures, and milk perishability. (28:27)The panel discusses metabolizable protein, essential, non-essential, and branched-chain amino acids, and how the view of fatty acids and amino acids has changed from simple substrates to make milk components to compounds with biogenic activities. (36:20)Dr. St. Pierre talks about the inaugural Industry Day at the 2025 ADSA meetings and goals for similar future events. (43:01)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (48:13)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt. 

In this episode, we feature some of the winners of poster and oral presentation competitions at the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Abstracts can be found here: ADSA 2025 Annual MeetingMS Oral Presentation, ProductionGuests: Trinidad Fernandez-Wallace and Dr. Lautaro Rostoll-Cangiano, University of Wisconsin-MadisonCo-host: Dr. Laura Niehues, BalchemAbstract 1218: Immunity at the crossroads of cellular metabolism: Navigating T helper shifts in the periparturient period of dairy cows. (0:08)Trinidad found that T-helper cell metabolism and proliferation were both upregulated after calving, which may impact the effectiveness of immune responses during the transition period. The group discusses if T-helper cells could be used as a marker of inflammation in the future and how Trinidad’s results may have been different if samples had been collected between 3 and 28 days after calving.PhD Oral Presentation, ProductionGuests: Natnicha Taechachokevivat and Dr. Rafael Neves, Purdue UniversityCo-host: Dr. Sion Richards, Balchem Abstract 1107: Relationships between systemic inflammation, subclinical hypocalcemia, and hyperketonemia in clinically healthy Holstein cows. (8:07)Natnicha investigated the association of plasma haptoglobin (an inflammatory marker) on days 1 and 3 in milk with subclinical hypocalcemia and hyperketonemia. Systemic inflammation appears to be associated with subclinical hypocalcemia and hyperketonemia and reduced milk yield in multiparous cows. When multiparous cows exhibited both inflammation and metabolic disease indicators, they produced less milk; however, when primiparous cows exhibited both inflammation and metabolic disease indicators, they produced more milk. 3 Minute ThesisGuests: Savitha Saikumar and Dr. Diwaker Vyas, University of FloridaCo-host: Dr. Laura Niehues, BalchemAbstract 1548: Effects of peripartal supplementation of prototype postbiotics on intake, rumen fermentation, colostrum quality, and performance in transition dairy cows. (15:14)Savitha investigated the effects of a prototype postbiotic supplement in transition cows from 35 days before calving to 63 days after calving. Cows on the postbiotic treatment received 25 grams per day topdressed on their TMR. Before calving, the postbiotic had no effect on dry matter intake, body condition sore, body weight, or total VFAs. After calving, the postbiotic increased dry matter intake and milk yield after 6 weeks, and increased energy-corrected milk and fat-corrected milk with no effect on body weight, body condition score, or rumen fermentation profile.PhD Poster Guest: Amanda Fischer-Tlustos, University of Guelph Abstract 2012: Characterization of dry-period mammary acetate and glucose metabolism and their association with colostrum production in multiparous Holstein cattle. (25:15)Amanda’s research evaluated acetate and glucose metabolism in the mammary gland during the dry and calving periods to better understand how colostrum is made. Acetate uptake by the udder remained fairly constant until one week before calving, when it started to increase. Glucose uptake did not increase until the onset of calving. Previous lactation milk production and far-off mammary metabolism were both negatively correlated with colostrum production. Amanda hypothesizes that high producing cows who have trouble drying off may have high amounts of metabolic activity in the mammary gland when they should have low activity, which may result in lower colostrum production at the subsequent calving. PhD Oral Presentation, Southern Branch DivisionGuests: Bridger Sparks and Dr. Clarissa Strieder-Barboza, Texas Tech UniversityCo-host: Dr. Ryan Pralle, BalchemAbstract 1215: Adipose tissue neuro-like cell profile changes with ketosis in dairy cows. (33:05)Bridger investigated neuro-like cells in the adipose tissue of cows with or without subclinical ketosis. The transcriptional profile of neuro-like cells changed when collected from cows with subclinical ketosis, which may indicate a potential regulatory role in adipose tissue metabolism. Perhaps modulation of neuro-like cells could potentially alleviate excessive adipose mobilization in the postpartum period. ADSA Graduate Student Division HighlightsGuests: Evelyn Yufeng Lin, North Carolina State University; Miranda Farricker, Cornell University; Conor McCabe, University of California-Davis; Dr. Maurice Eastridge, Ohio State University. (40:45) Dr. Eastridge is the chair of the ADSA Foundation and explains some of the Foundation’s current projects. Evelyn and Conor are past presidents of the ADSA Graduate Student Division, and Miranda is the incoming president. Each student gives a bit of background on themselves and their research and describes what the Graduate Student Division does and how they foster new graduate students in ADSA.  Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Dr. Dahl presented a Real Science webinar on heat stress on April 1, 2025. You can find the webinar at balchem.com/realscience. This episode of Real Science Exchange further explores the key elements of Dr. Dahl’s webinar.Dr. Dahl talks about geographical differences in whether farms provide cooling for dry or lactating cows. Cows get heat stressed long before humans. Some farms are concerned that using misters for cooling will add too much water to their manure handling systems. He notes a study comparing conventional misters and fans, no cooling, and smart soakers that only provide mist if a cow is present. When the total amount of water (drinking + cooling system) was evaluated, the smart soakers cooled as well as the conventional system, but used the same amount of water as the no cooling group.  (7:08)During the dry period, a main impact of heat stress is a reduction in dry matter intake. However, there are dramatic shifts in immune function and effects on mammary development and redevelopment in cows who experience heat stress in the dry period. This sets the stage for lower productivity in the next lactation. In addition, there are many negative impacts on the in utero calf from heat stress. Calves from heat stressed dams are challenged from a growth standpoint, in addition to organ development challenges in the mammary gland, ovaries, and immune system. These calves are less likely to make it through their first lactation, are less productive, and pass their poor production and survival phenotype on to their offspring. (14:28)Dr. Tao talks about when during the dry period to provide cooling for cows. Spoiler alert: the entire dry period! He also notes that bred heifers should have cooling provided for the last 60 days of gestation as well. Laura asks about the impact of heat stress on neonatal calves and how it may impact their mammary development. More research is needed in this area, and you also have to wait two years to collect data from the first lactation. Dr. Dahl notes that observations from season of birth data indicate lower longevity for calves who are born to heat stressed dams. (18:26)Milk production is decreased by 8-10 pounds per day for cows stressed during the dry period, and they also produce a lower volume of colostrum. Calves from heat stressed dams also have a lower rate of passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum. The panel talks about why that might be, whether or not those gut differences persist after calfhood, and how that might be related to growth differences between heat stressed and cooled calves. (27:30)What about reproduction? It appears that heat stress during the dry period has a negative impact on reproductive function in the subsequent breeding season. Recent research has indicated that calves experiencing heat stress in utero have poor gonadal development and lower follicular reserves. In addition, placental development is also negatively affected. Dr. Tao notes that heat stress negatively impacts mammary gland involution during the dry off period. All of this leads to a decrease in cow longevity. (35:36)Dr. Dahl describes a retrospective records study using Florida and California herds to evaluate cows in their fifth through eighth lactations. In Florida, about three-quarters of those animals were born in cooler parts of the year rather than in hotter months of the year. The pattern in California was similar, though not quite as extreme. (44:02)Dr. Tao and Dr. Dahl expand on the economics of cooling cows, including return on investment and the costs of not cooling. The guests also talk about some of their research abstracts at the 2025 ADSA meetings. (48:10)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (57:41)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Fessenden gives an overview of his presentation which covered both research and field information on automated milking systems. He recommends going back to basics and formulating a rumen-friendly PMR with a complementary palatable feed that encourages the cows into the robot system. (5:57)The panel discusses ideas for driving cows to the robot on different types of PMRs, management of transition and late lactation cows in automated milking systems, and the use of custom pellets versus other supplemental feeds in the robot. (9:04)Dr. Fessenden talks about some of his experiences visiting automated milking systems in Europe and some of the differences between European and North American approaches to diet formulations in automated systems. The group goes on to talk about different options for supplemental feed formulations in the robot. (18:38)Dr. Fessenden and Dr. Tylutki share ideas for how feeding technology could help both traditional and automated milking farms in the future. They discuss more precise grouping of cows and targeted feeding of those groups to better match requirements, as well as how movement to different pens and diet changes can impact milk production. (23:45) Dr. Tylutki updates the group on advancements in the AMTS balancing tools for multiple robot feeds. He and Dr. Fessenden describe the challenges of developing new tools that are streamlined and user-friendly for nutritionists. They also delve into the role artificial intelligence and machine learning might play in ration balancing in the future. (29:32)Dr. Fessenden encourages nutritionists to think outside the box when working with automated milking herds to make decisions that are right for that particular farm. Dr. Tylutki chimes in with advice to spend time actually watching the cows on the farm, and Dr. Van Soest echoes this sentiment when it comes to troubleshooting issues with the robots themselves. Don’t just assume it’s an issue with the ration - ask or observe for yourself what may have changed on the farm that could contribute to the issue the farm is facing. (40:02)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (45:20)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Schwanke begins by describing how we can shape cattle personalities through handling and management and adapting our strategies to accommodate different personality traits so as to not cause undue stress. Personality traits are consistent across time and context, which is nuanced by the other animals in a particular group. There are five generally recognized personality traits: boldness, exploration, activity, sociability and aggressiveness. Some debate exists as to whether dominance should be considered a sixth trait or if it’s just an outcome of the other five. (5:43)Dr. Schwanke’s research focused mainly on how cows react to specific stressors, such as adapting to an automated milking system. In a robotic system, cows who are more independent, explorative and bold are more likely to do well. Some diversity is good because it can help to minimize long-term antagonistic interactions in a group. If we have cows that are very similar to each other, it will take longer for them to establish a social hierarchy.  (10:05)The panel discusses where the research is in regard to on-farm applicability and potential genetic components of personality traits. In the future, Dr. Schwanke envisions automated assessments of cow personality through computer vision cameras in the barn, fed into an algorithm that creates a personality ranking of cows based on their behaviors. She also notes personality traits can help predict a cow’s coping style: proactive, reactive and intermediate. Proactive cows are more bold, explorative and aggressive. They thrive in predictable, stable conditions. Reactive cows are more fearful, less active and less dominant. They typically do better than proactive cows in unpredictable or changing environments because they’re better able to modify their behavior to the environment they find themselves in. (14:09)The panel talks about future research goals in this area, including transition to automated milking systems, modifying feed management for behavioral and nutritional requirements and impacts of commingling stress. The guests also explore behavioral research in calves and brainstorm about future research with this age group, as well as talk about potential implications of making the wrong selection decisions for personality traits. (20:08)Are there things dairy producers could do to condition calves to be more adaptable to an automated milking system later in life? If a calf is reared in an automated feeding system, do they adapt to an automated milking system more easily? We don’t have the research yet to answer these questions, but they’re great questions. The panel also talks about how to scale up personality trait information to large herds, how precision feeding systems and personality traits might interact and how machine learning and computer vision technology can automate personality trait assessments. (28:46)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (35:02)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada, during the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference.Dr. Hutjens’ presentation focused on herds producing seven pounds of milk fat and milk protein per cow per day, and the genetics, on-farm management and nutrition to make that happen. The panel discusses where components could top out, how added dietary fat has influenced components and the importance of high quality forage to de novo fat synthesis. (4:09)The panel explores how well nutritionists are keeping up with rapid genetic change in milk component production and how farmers respond to recommendations for things like rumen-protected fatty acids and supplemental fat. Dr. Nelson shares some of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the California dairy producers he works with. (11:56)Dr. Hutjens gives some benchmark values for energy and protein efficiency. The panel debates the merit of energy-corrected milk per stall as an efficiency measure, with the consensus being it might lead to crowding, which would then probably decrease milk and component production due to decreasing cow comfort. The group also discusses selecting for feed efficiency and the heritability of feed efficiency. (16:33)The panel dives into the topic of feed ingredients. High-oleic soybeans and high quality forages are a focus in some parts of the country. Dr. Nelson discusses non-forage fiber sources available in the California market, such as citrus, plums, apples and carrots. The group talks more about how high-sugar byproducts influence rumen fermentation, which is different from starch, as well as benefits in palatability, digestibility and intake. (21:03)Dr. Hutjens talks about benchmarks for milk components and different strategies for increasing component production. Rumen-protected amino acids, purchased fats, roasted high-oleic soybeans and urea are discussed. The group also talks about what might happen if milk processors start asking for less milk fat, for example. Dr. Hutjens talks about how nutritionists can help balance rations to yield different results for different markets. (33:04)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (40:33)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Firkins’ presentation covers key aspects of how to improve digestibility of different diet components: fiber, starch, fat and total diet. (4:31)The negative relationship between starch in the diet and fiber digestion has been well known for more than 50 years. A recent meta-analysis showed the depression in fiber digestibility starts at very low starch concentrations. Dr. Weiss points out this can’t be due to low rumen pH at that starch level. Dr. Firkins agrees pH is probably only about half of the relationship and the other half is factors called the carbohydrate effect. He goes on to say adequate ammonia and amino acids are necessary for the fibrolytic bacteria in the rumen to maximize fiber digestibility, and urea alone is not adequate. The panel agrees there is little knowledge about what exactly the amino acid requirements of fibrolytic bacteria are or should be. (6:05)Dr. Firkins shares some of his findings regarding how sugars impact fiber digestibility. Dr. Krogstad notes grain particle size can have key impacts on fiber digestibility and the panel discusses some of the challenges in nailing down optimal particle size. (13:39)Dr. Weiss indicates diets should be formulated  for rumen degradable starch - but how do we get that number? Dr. Firkins explains some of the difficulty in making accurate, cohesive predictions. The panel discusses some field measures that may be helpful. (18:24)Ruminants have lower fat digestibility than monogastrics. The panel explores biological factors that might be limiting fat digestibility. Dr. Firkins believes palmitic and oleic acids probably help the microbes and that is why we see improved diet digestibility when those fatty acids are supplemented. He encourages further exploration into the reason behind this and the mechanism by which it occurs. Dr. Krogstad mentions a Utah State study that also saw improved diet digestibility and also evaluated microbial fractions and phospholipids. (22:44)The panel explores the relationship between rumen-degradable protein and fiber digestibility. What happens when RDP is too high or too low? What is the optimal level of RDP to maximize digestibility? How does the composition of the base diet influence how much RDP you might need? What role do peptides play in the rumen? (29:00)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (41:52)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Boerman notes we know cows experience a negative metabolizable protein balance in early lactation, which means they’re mobilizing skeletal muscle to make up for that. Dr. Boerman and her group have been interested in strategies to measure how much muscle they’re mobilizing, when they’re losing it and when they gain it back.  (3:51)Cows are ultrasounded during the dry period to determine longissimus dorsi muscle reserves, then divided into low vs high muscle groups. Weekly ultrasounds follow them through lactation.  Animals with high muscle reserves during the dry period mobilized muscle before calving, which resulted in increased calf birth weights. Animals with less muscle during the dry period can gain muscle during that time and have more muscle reserves at calving than they had in the middle of the dry period. Dr. Boerman discusses possible nutrition interventions to manage muscle depletion and accretion, as well as timing of muscle loss and gain.  (5:14)The panel discusses how cows were assigned to high- and low-muscle groups and how representative those groups might be to the general population of dairy cows. Dr. Boerman mentions they’ve recently started evaluating primiparous cows as well to see if they perform differently than multiparous cows. (10:33)Dr. Boerman notes that cows are mobilizing between 30 and 35% of their longissimus dorsi depth during lactation and muscle biopsies have shown a reduction in muscle fiber size. They also measure 3-methyl histidine and creatinine as biomarkers of muscle loss and gain. The panel discusses increased calf birth weights and impacts on colostrum for high-muscle groups. Body condition score is not a good predictor of muscle depth. (16:52)The group discusses how parity might impact protein loss and gain, the influence of genetics on these muscle measurements, how health events might affect muscle mobilization and what kind of hormonal regulation might be occurring to control muscle losses and gains. (23:41)Dr. Weiss shares about a project from his group where muscle and fat losses were measured by dilution. They fed 20% protein diets using soy alone or with supplementation of rumen-protected amino acids. He emphasized the differences between heifers and cows, similar to what Dr. Boerman’s group has observed as well. (29:54)Dr. Boerman shares some ideas of what kind of experiments she’d like to conduct next to continue this line of research. (33:42)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (35:29)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Balchem’s Bourbon & Brainiacs event took place at the Frazier History Museum during the 2025 ADSA annual meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. After introductions, Dr. Lucy shares about the ADSA monthly podcast, Dairy Digressions, which he hosts. He discusses listener demographics, the diverse paths to becoming a dairy scientist and inspiring young people to pursue a career in dairy science. The panel goes on to discuss the camaraderie and friendships developed and nurtured at ADSA meetings. (2:44)Dr. Kononoff asks the panel their thoughts on how to protect students, given the current and potential future funding concerns for science. Dr. Lucy notes he believes science will prevail. Dr. St-Pierre comments we have portrayed science as infallible, when it’s really self-correcting, and the machine of a university is faculty and students. Dr. Kononoff, originally from Canada, discusses the uniqueness of the land-grant system in the US. (8:31)Dr. Lucy shares some of his favorite parts of being an ADSA member. (17:44)Dr. Williamson, a neuroscientist, suggests the dairy industry could learn from human behaviorists regarding marketing their products. Dr. Ordway agrees, as someone who did not grow up in the agriculture industry. (20:42)Dr. St-Pierre talks about presenting at his very first ADSA meeting when he was still learning to speak English. He goes on to discuss how meetings and students have evolved over the years. (23:03)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt. 

This episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Carpenter gives an overview of her presentation. She summarizes an Extension risk management project regarding heifer development, assisting dairies in benchmarking their heifer growth and development. Key focus points include reducing morbidity and mortality and timely breeding to achieve goals for age at first calving. Dr. Carpenter also emphasized heat detection and conception, as well as recordkeeping as important considerations for success. (4:10)Dr. Carpenter shares findings from a beef-on-dairy feeding experiment where any calf that had two or more lifetime respiratory events had lower carcass weight and lower return on investment. The panel discusses industry uptake of using lung ultrasounds to evaluate respiratory events. (11:53)Guests talk about different feeding concepts in heifer development and trends in age at first calving over time. (14:31)The panel dives into home-raising versus custom-developing heifers. Dr. Carpenter notes Penn State has great resources regarding custom rearing of dairy heifers. Pros and cons of both systems are discussed, and the panel also touches on rearing of beef-on-dairy calves as well. (19:17)The group returns to the topic of age at first calving. Reducing variation at age at breeding is important, and producers should consult with their nutritionists and veterinarians for a team approach to success. (24:44)Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Tebbe talk about how producers are dealing with replacement heifer shortages. (27:24)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (31:48)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Guests: Dr. José Santos, University of Florida; Dr. Jeff Firkins, The Ohio State University; Dr. Bill Weiss, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University; Dr. Jimena Laporta, University of Wisconsin; Dr. Jim Aldrich, CSA Animal Nutrition; Dr. Tom Overton, Cornell University; Dr. Mark Hanigan, Virginia Tech University; Martin Bengtsson, Balchem; Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State University; Dr. Turner Swartz, South Dakota State University; Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University; Dr. Goeff Dahl, University of FloridaBalchem’s Bourbon & Brainiacs event took place at the Frazier History Museum during the 2025 ADSA annual meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. This bonus episode features a rotating slate of guests throughout the entirety of the episode. The episode begins with guests talking about how many ADSA meetings they’ve attended and some of their favorite locations. Quebec City travel nightmares, side trips to the Grand Canyon, and university host sites with dorms featuring no air conditioning were highlighted. (0:08)The group talks about the impact scientific meetings have on graduate students and how important the social and networking aspects are in the development of students’ careers. (9:44)Formative moments in your career can be forged at ADSA meetings. Learning to step back and talk about the big picture of your work can be pivotal. Other panelists share their experiences in making the final decision on where to attend graduate school based on their experiences at ADSA meetings. (19:48)Martin Bengtsson, Balchem’s Executive Vice President,  CFO and Animal Nutrition and Health General Manager joins the panel. He talks about his background and Balchem’s investment in animal nutrition research. He asks the panel what they’d like to see a company like Balchem do more of to have a bigger impact and be more helpful to the industry. (22:49)A new wave of guests arrive. Topics include coaching quiz bowl and dairy challenge teams, softball games, rooftop lawn bowling and how one can go from being an up-and-comer to being one of the big names at ADSA to being a retiree. (36:24)Panelists share some of the events at this year’s ADSA meeting they’re excited to attend, including a symposium about feed additives for methane inhibition in conjunction with the Journal of Dairy Science and an applied nutrition series geared toward field nutritionists. (42:06)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.