Real Science Exchange-Dairy

The episode opens with Dr. Overton discussing his work at Cornell University and how Dr. Somare came to Cornell from Argentina on a Fulbright scholarship after gaining experience in the feed industry and teaching. Dr. Somare also introduces the poster he is presenting at the meeting. (00:00 – 01:28) Dr. Somare explains that the study evaluated whether combining zeolite and calcidiol could positively affect mineral metabolism, calcium regulation, and milk performance during early lactation. The study enrolled 92 multiparous Holstein cows in four groups involving either a negative DCAD diet or zeolite feeding, with one group under each strategy receiving calcidiol. The zeolite groups received around 300 g. (02:34 – 04:13) Looking at the results, Dr. Somare explains how cows were retrospectively classified as dyscalcemic or eucalcemic based on calcium recovery, with dyscalcemic cows remaining below 2.2 millimoles per liter on day four. Dr. Overton notes that previous work used 500 grams of zeolite per day, while the 300-gram dose evaluated here was more economical and appeared to be just as effective. Around 90% of cows fed zeolite during the prepartum period were eucalcemic. (04:14 – 06:27) Moving into practical application, Dr. Somare describes zeolite as a lower-management strategy compared with negative DCAD diets, which require urine pH monitoring and forage mineral analysis. When asked about dosing, he says the appropriate amount will probably depend on the mineral balance of the diet, but the study achieved good results with 300 grams. (06:28 – 08:09) Dr. Overton adds that recommendations may move up or down depending on the grams of phosphorus in the diet. He also emphasizes that negative DCAD diets continue to work well and that many herds and nutritionists have extensive experience with them, describing both approaches as viable options. (09:01 – End) If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with your industry colleagues so they can join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. Don't forget to register for our upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars. Finally, if you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription. Then, email a picture to [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Controlled vs. uncontrolled inflammation. After introductions, Dr. Rico explains that inflammation is a natural, protective immune response that cows need for processes such as calving. However, it has to stay limited in extent and duration, and it has to resolve properly. Otherwise, it can become uncontrolled inflammation that works against the cow. (00:00 – 07:26)Are high-producing cows getting what their immune systems need? Next, Dr. Rico asks whether cows get the nutrients needed for a competent immune response as production rises. Building on this, Dr. Fox links chronic inflammation to respiratory disease, liver abscesses, mastitis, lameness and other conditions. He stresses prevention because treatment options can become very limited once disease is chronic. (07:27 – 13:04)Key nutrients involved in inflammation. From there, Dr. Rico describes how omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids help start and resolve inflammatory responses. He also explains that niacin (vitamin B3) supports the systems that defend against reactive oxygen species. In addition, he covers minerals and vitamin D3. He suggests that requirements built for maximum productivity may not fully cover immune protection during a challenge. (13:05 – 18:09)The high-performance athlete analogy. Similarly, Dr. Rico compares high-producing cows to elite athletes: high output doesn't have to mean sickness when the right building blocks are supplied. He points to studies presented at the conference that saw improved immune responses when certain nutrients were supplied at three to four times the recommendation. In those studies, cows under challenge had less dramatic rectal temperatures and toned-down inflammatory markers. Importantly, he frames this as a question about supplementation during stress, not proof that cows are generally underfed. (18:10 – 21:02)The open question of timing. Even so, timing is still uncertain. Research doesn't yet define exactly when supplementation should start ahead of heat stress. B-complex vitamins are metabolized quickly, for example, while vitamin D3 builds up differently in the body. As for omega-3s, cows don't yet have an established requirement. On top of that, rumen biohydrogenation and the very low conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to DHA and EPA create further bottlenecks. (21:03 – 24:48)Management first: vaccination, cow comfort and stress. The conversation then turns to management. Dr. Fox advises against vaccinating during stress or when nutrition is inadequate. He also describes changing vaccine timing based partly on cowside sensor data. Together, he and Dr. Rico stress getting the basics right before fine-tuning supplementation: feed intake, lying time, bunk space, stocking density, feeding management and social stress. (24:49 – 30:30)Transition cows and overconditioning. Around transition, Dr. Fox prefers to minimize disruption for about three weeks before and three weeks after calving. During that window, he prioritizes lying time, rumination, feed access and intake. The panel also looks at overconditioning and chronic low-grade inflammation. Dr. Fox argues that prevention has to start in late lactation, because overweight cows may already eat less before calving and regain their appetite more slowly afterward. (30:31 – 38:20)Putting prevention into practice. Still, prevention can be hard to carry out with one-group TMR systems. Dr. Fox talks about separating first-lactation animals and adjusting diets for mature cows that are gaining too much weight. He notes, however, that everyday realities like pens, gates and people can undermine precise grouping. As a result, the speakers come back to forage quality, consistent husbandry and doing the basics well. (38:21 – 44:37)Emerging strategies and final takeaways. Finally, the panel considers botanicals, polyphenols and other nutraceutical approaches for supporting immune response. Dr. Fox proposes a nutritional "pre-adjuvant" before planned vaccinations. Meanwhile, Dr. Rico notes that more research is needed, since nutrient requirements have traditionally focused on production rather than on preparing cows for stress. The closing takeaways center on management, cowside monitoring, earlier detection of uncontrolled inflammation in dairy cows and continued research into nutritional support for immune function. (44:38 – End)If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with your industry colleagues so they can join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. Don't forget to register for our upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars.Want a Real Science Exchange t-shirt? Screenshot your rating, review or subscription and email it to [email protected] along with your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is uncontrolled inflammation in dairy cows? Inflammation is a normal, protective immune response, and cows need it for events like calving. It becomes uncontrolled when it isn't contained in extent or duration, or when it doesn't resolve properly. When that happens, it can contribute to health and performance challenges.How can nutritional management support the immune response? The panel discusses nutrients such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, niacin (vitamin B3), minerals and vitamin D3. These nutrients play roles in starting and resolving inflammation and in antioxidant defense. Research is still exploring whether supplying more of them during stress can help.Why does the transition period matter for inflammation? The weeks around calving bring major physiological change. Because of this, the speakers prioritize feed intake, lying time, rumination and limiting disruption. They also point to body condition management in late lactation as a key prevention step.Does vaccination timing affect immune response? According to Dr. Fox, vaccinating during stress or when nutrition is inadequate may be less effective. He describes using cowside sensor data to help guide vaccine timing.What is the most important takeaway from this episode? Get the basics right first: management, cow comfort, forage quality and monitoring. From there, research continues to look at how targeted nutrition can support immune function during stress. 

Introductions and Symposium PreviewsDr. Andrew Lapierre shares the nearly 50-year history of CNCPS, and Dr. Jonas de Souza previews his work on fatty acid modeling. Dr. Veridiana Daley reviews milk protein modeling, amino acid nutrition and new technologies that could sharpen decision-making. (00:00 – 10:45)Models in the FieldThe consulting nutritionists explain how they use models' day to day. They discuss how ration software has evolved and why model outputs still need practical farm management and observation behind them. (10:46 – 15:12)NASEM vs. CNCPSThe panel compares empirical and mechanistic models. Models are the best interpretation of available data, not perfect pictures of biology. That's why it's critical to understand each model's assumptions before acting on its recommendations. (15:13 – 19:25)Protein and Rumen Degradable Protein PredictionsNASEM and CNCPS often reach different answers because they rely on different assumptions, microbial compositions and prediction methods. Neither is perfect, but both are useful for evaluating amino acid supply and nutrient responses. (19:26 – 24:08)Modeling the Modern Dairy CowGenetic progress has raised production potential, yet many post-absorptive efficiency assumptions still come from older datasets. The panel names nutrient use efficiency and variable animal responses as key areas for future research. (24:09 – 29:46)Making Practical Ration ChangesNutritionists use models to guide gradual ration changes within real-world constraints. They also point out that management decisions can affect performance as much as the diet itself. (29:47 – 33:32)Adding Sensor Data to ModelsRumination, rumen health and other precision dairy sensor data could improve intake predictions, flag health events and support nutritional decisions. (33:33 – 37:43)Dry Matter Intake and Forage QualityThe panel looks at dry matter intake optimization and forage quality challenges. They also ask whether maximizing intake is always the most profitable strategy. (37:44 – 43:29)Improving Feed Libraries and Response ModelsThe group sees room to expand response modeling and improve feed libraries. They also want to better characterize ingredients and add amino acid and fatty acid data, all while validating models against research and field datasets. (43:30 – 58:41)The Future of Nutritional ModelingLooking ahead, the panel discusses better fatty acid and amino acid prediction systems, sensor integration, artificial intelligence and stochastic modeling. They also call for stronger collaboration between researchers and field nutritionists, with better data and ongoing validation driving progress. (58:42 – End)ConclusionPlease subscribe and share with your industry friends. Invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. In addition, please be sure to register for our upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars.Finally, if you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

Host Scott Sorrell is joined by Dr. Billy Brown (Kansas State University) and Carson Corwin (Kansas State University). The episode centers on Carson Corwin's presentation, "Effect of prenatal rumen-protected choline on dam feeding behavior and offspring mammary development." Carson Corwin outlines the study design, which evaluated multiparous cows fed a rumen-protected choline supplement during the 21-day prepartum period. Individualized feeding bunks equipped with RFID technology were used to measure intake and feeding behavior, including meal timing, meal intervals, meal size, and number of meals. The team also followed heifer calves and collected mammary ultrasound images on days 1, 42, and 84. (03:15 – 05:43) Discussing the results, Carson highlights what he describes as the most exciting finding: increased mammary parenchyma area in calves born to supplemented dams. The researchers also observed a tendency for a greater parenchyma-to-fat-pad ratio, which they describe as an indicator of greater mammary system development potential. Dr. Brown explains that the effect was observed across the evaluation period rather than at a single time point and notes an approximately 10% difference in the measured area. (05:44 – 07:49) Dr. Brown places the findings into the context of earlier research that reported benefits in calf growth, immune responses, and longer-term development. He explains that previous studies and observations have suggested potential downstream production advantages, although some of those observations remain unpublished. The speakers emphasize that the current work is an early step toward understanding possible biological mechanisms and that additional follow-up is needed to determine how these developmental differences may relate to later-life performance. (07:50 – 08:59) When discussing why prenatal choline exposure might influence calf development, Dr. Brown notes that the mechanism remains a "black box." He says the team's best speculation is that epigenetic factors may be involved, but stresses that researchers have not yet identified a definitive explanation. The conversation also turns to future work, including continued monitoring of the calves and plans to evaluate metabolic factors that could provide further insight into observed responses. (09:00 – 09:41) Looking ahead, Carson shares plans for a new project evaluating a yeast supplement fed to prepartum cows beginning earlier in the dry period, with a focus on calf immune response and colostrum quality. The episode closes with reflections on future career goals and the researchers' enthusiasm for continuing to investigate how prenatal nutritional interventions may influence calf development. (09:42 – End) Throughout the episode, the panel reinforces a central message: prenatal nutritional strategies may have effects that extend beyond the dam, but further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms and long-term implications of those responses. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with your industry colleagues so they can join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. Don't forget to register for our upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars. Finally, if you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription. Then, email a picture to [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

The episode begins with introductions from Dr. Addison Carroll and Dr. Kelly Mitchell, who share their educational backgrounds, research experience, and current roles at Washington State University and Elanco Animal Health. They also preview the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference session featuring presentations from Dr. Carroll, Dr. Edward Rico, and Dr. Kelly Nichols. Dr. Carroll's presentation, Nutrient Variation in Feed Delivery and the Impacts on Lactating Dairy Cows, provides the foundation for the conversation, examining how nutrient deviation can influence dairy cow performance and why understanding variation matters for effective feeding management. (00:00 – 03:26)Nutrient variability can begin long before a dairy ration reaches the cow. Dr. Carroll explains that inconsistencies can originate from feed composition, ration formulation, ingredient loading, feed mixing, and cow behavior. Identifying where variation enters the feeding process, along with its potential economic consequences, can help dairy producers uncover opportunities to improve feed consistency and overall herd management. (03:27 – 05:20)Breaking the dairy feeding process into four major areas, Dr. Carroll highlights variation associated with ration formulation, feed loading, feed mixing, and animal consumption. Human involvement in loading and mixing can be a significant source of inconsistency, while Dr. Mitchell notes that small variations at individual stages can compound throughout the feeding process. Understanding these sources provides a clearer picture of how the ration formulated by the nutritionist may differ from what ultimately reaches the cow. (05:21 – 08:26)Drawing on research involving eight dairies ranging from 3,000 to 30,000 head, Dr. Carroll explains that nutrients were overfed 92% of the time, averaging approximately 25 of 28 days per month. However, the magnitude of nutrient deviation varied considerably among farms. These findings reinforce the importance of measuring and evaluating feed and nutrient variation at the individual dairy level rather than assuming every operation experiences the same degree of inconsistency. (08:27 – 10:58)The conversation then examines the relationship between nutrient variation and dairy cow performance. The research linked greater starch deviation with lower dry matter intake but increased milk yield, while crude protein deviation was associated with increased feed intake. Greater NDF deviation was associated with reduced milk yield, and fat deviation was linked with improved pregnancy rate. Dr. Carroll notes that the relationship between crude protein deviation and reproductive performance deserves additional research. (10:59 – 13:19)So, how can dairy farms better monitor feeding consistency? Dr. Carroll recommends using feed weights and loading records to establish benchmarks, with variation below 2% as the goal. Regularly reviewing feeding data and monitoring trends can help producers and nutritionists better understand nutrient deviation and identify where improvements may support more consistent dairy cow performance. (13:20 – 15:23)Importantly, the discussion challenges the idea that all nutrient variation is necessarily negative. Dr. Carroll points to research showing that increases in dietary starch may result in short-term production responses. However, she cautions that the longer-term effects remain less clear, emphasizing the need to consider both immediate and long-term cow responses before adjusting dairy rations. (15:24 – 16:33)Technology may also play a role in improving dairy feed consistency and precision feeding. Dr. Carroll discusses research evaluating a Vector feeding system, which showed modest improvements in variation for dry matter and ADF. The findings suggest that greater automation could help reduce some sources of feed delivery variation and support more precise nutrient management on dairy farms. (16:34 – 20:55)Beyond technology, many opportunities for improving dairy feeding management may already exist in the data farms collect every day. Dr. Carroll encourages producers to review feed records, prepare for weather-related changes in dry matter intake, maintain consistent feed availability, and prioritize employee training. Analyzing existing feeding data can help dairy teams identify patterns and make more informed decisions about ration delivery and management. (20:56 – 23:42)To close the conversation, Dr. Carroll returns to a central theme: nutrient variation does not have to be viewed solely as a problem. While consistency remains an important goal in dairy nutrition, nutrient deviation can also provide an opportunity for producers and nutritionists to examine cow responses, reassess feeding strategies, and better understand what the herd is telling them. Monitoring variation alongside production and reproductive data can provide valuable insight into opportunities for more precise dairy nutrition and feeding management. (23:43 – End)If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Real Science Exchange and share it with your industry colleagues so they can join us at the virtual pub table. Don't forget to register for upcoming Real Science Lecture Series webinars.Want a Real Science Exchange T-shirt? Screenshot your rating, review, or subscription and email it to [email protected], along with your shirt size and mailing address.