Dairy Science Digest

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Jul 2026

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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

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August 18, 2026Episode 7522 min

DSD 7.8 | Where the magic happens – Fueling dairy cows

Much research has focused around the transition period. Recent findings suggest feeding oleic and palmitic fatty acids could aid in improving the energy balance of the cow, but why? Dr. Andres Contreras and his team of researchers conducted benchtop science, studying fat tissue to best understand the mode of action documented in this month’s featured article. The mitochondria is the powerhouse organelle in the cell which determines the energy status for the cow. If running efficiently, this ‘cellular engine’ will generate a substantial amount of energy, or ATP. However, when operating inefficiently, due likely to damage from oxidative stress, the organelle will generate less energy, resulting in the cow mobilizing more fat stores to fuel milk production. We all know, if the negative energy balance “spiral” begins – the cow is going to struggle through the transition period which has lasting implications on the entire lactation. Listen in today to learn about how energy production in early lactation could be impacted by your feeding program. Topics of discussion 1:45 Introduction of Dr. Andres Contreras 3:00 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project 4:49 Mitochondrial activity 6:04 Objective of the study, what happens to mitochondria when challenged and when subject to oxidative stress. 6:55 Two possible paths for the mitochondria in the first week of lactation. 8:04 When cows start to mobilize fats – mitochondria dysfunction begins 9:37 Excessive Lipolysis results in inflammation response 10:15 Treatment design 11:04 How did you test the effect of Oleic and Palmitic Fatty acids on the mitochondria? 11:47 Impact of Oleic Acid on mitochondria function 12:50 Increased respiration rates of the mitochondria, and why that matters. 14:08 ATP increase - The importance of the first 3 days in milk 15:53 How does FA concentrations impact the Redox reaction (Antioxidants : Oxidants) 18:10 If you have a cohort of over conditioned cows, would OA and PA help? Why? 20:43 Day 3 NEFA impact on first service conception rate Featured Article: Oleic Acid Supports Mitochondrial Function During Lipolytic and Pro-Oxidant Challenges in Bovine Adipocytes Day 3 NEFA article: Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and glucose in blood of periparturient dairy cows are indicative of pregnancy success at first insemination #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #oleic; #transitiondairy; #mitochondria; #ATP; #liposis; #NEFA; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

July 18, 2026Episode 7422 min

DSD 7.7 | Manipulating absorption of colostrum

Arguably the most important first step in the life of any calf is successful establishment of passive immunity through colostrum management. This key touchpoint ensures easy newborn calf management for weeks in the future and improved pay price for your bull calves. Colostrum replacers occasionally need fed, for a variety of reasons. Understanding the key details of absorption, allows colostrum replacer manufacturers to optimize their product and therefore your success. How does dilution impact the absorption of the colostrum replacer, based on the rate of abomasal emptying? Does this impact the calf’s IgG absorption and ultimately success of passive transfer? Listen in to Dr. Alberto Lopez has he describes the results of his recently released research and observations from the field. Topics of discussion 1:43 Introduction of Dr. Alberto Lopez 2:39 Project design/treatments 3:08 150 IgG replacer used 4:55 Different CR products on the market 5:23 Osmolarity in colostrum 6:44 Maternal colostrum enhancement – impact on osmolarity 8:17 Path of colostrum once it leaves the tube 8:33 High osmolarity takes longer to feed, and digest 9:58 Should producers measure osmolarity? 11:17 Measuring / tracking successful transfer of passive immunity (STPI) 13:29 Calf buyer pay price 15:03 How did dilution impact IgG absorption 16:06 IgG upper limit maxing out absorption 17:27 Abomasal emptying 22:23 No difference in IgG absorption in differing dilution 27:35 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Article: The effect of dilution of colostrum replacer on IgG absorption, abomasal emptying rate, and gastrointestinal permeability in newborn Holstein calves #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #IgG; #colostrum; #colostrumreplacer; #colostrumenhancement; #calf; #STPI; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

June 17, 2026Episode 7331 min

DSD 7.6 | Reduce input costs AND improve performance in 1st calf heifers

Opportunistic Grazing is a term used to maximize forage grazed on marginal land for heifer development. Research work completed in Wisconsin nearly a decade ago and recently published defined the differences between heifers reared on pasture for 6 months annually vs those housed in confinement year-round. Heifer development is the second most expensive portion of the dairy enterprise, and feed going into your replacements is the easiest metric to change. Simply by rotating the females between pastures every 2-4 days during optimum grazing conditions, this data suggests a return of nearly 2700 lbs milk during her first lactation when compared to the ‘couch potato’ counterpart on TMR. Listen in today to learn about what observations to expect, how to be responsive and nimble to weather while decreasing cost of production. Additionally, researchers Ken Kalscheur and Carlos Camisa Nova provides a sneak peek at future research being conducted to better understand what is changing in the heifer to improve first lactation performance. Topics of discussion 1:57 Introduction of Dr. Kalscheur and Carlos Camisa Nova 3:07 Project design/details/background 6:30 How was the pasture measured 7:46 Discussion of supplementation strategies 9:04 TMR composition for 1.8 ADG goal 10:03 Bodyweight difference after first grazing season 12:24 Supplementation strategy to bred heifers, during a drought year 14:59 Feed costs – pasture vs TMR, reduction of 35% 17:21 Repro effect of pasture vs confinement 18:59 First lactation performance of pasture based heifer development 20:02 Impact on Dry matter intake during first lactation 22:23 Follow up project, in progress, to assess possible metabolic differences 25:40 Impact of an activity difference in the two styles of rearing animals 27:57 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Article: Growth and lactation performance from dairy heifers raised in confinement or on pasture #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #pasture; #replacement; #heiferdevelopment; #milk; #dmi; #active; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

May 19, 2026Episode 7230 min

DSD 7.5 | Impact of A2 milk on cheese production

The A2 protein variant was identified back in the 60s as a genetic difference among cattle. Recent consumer interest has driven a demand for A2/A2 milk, resulting in increased prevalence in the dairy industry. Acknowledging the importance of protein in cheese production, food scientists have worked with cheese makers to both identify and reduce the impact of A2 on cheese yield. Beyond yield impacts, Dr. Ibanez and his team of researchers at the Center for Dairy Research wanted to better understand specifically how proteolysis differs when casein proteins change and if this knowledge can ultimately be used to improve the human health impacts of cheese. Listen in to better understand how one slight change in amino acid sequence can transform the ripening process and ultimately the nutrients in your cheese. Topics of discussion 1:26 Introduction of Dr. Rodrigo Ibanez 2:32 Different proteins present in milk, based on genetics 4:00 How A2 milk impacts cheese making efficiency 5:52 Description of 4 types of casein in milk protein 8:07 Cheese yield losses with A2 milk ameliorated with skill of cheese makers. 9:46 Art of stirring the curd 10:30 Sire selection for A2, is it moving the mark? 12:10 Experimental design 12:50 How does A2 milk impact cheese quality – gel firmness and ripening 14:14 Protein and Fatty acid impact on flavor 15:50 Description of β-casomorphin peptides 19:11 A2 tend to be a little bit firmer then A1, and slower digestion. 20:20 Opioid activity in cheese 21:00 Testing for A2 protein fractions to confirm A2 milk was used for A2 cheese 22:42 Will aging help all cheeses be easier to digest? β-casomorphin 7 concentrations. 25:04 β-casomorphin impact on human health 26:54 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Articles: Comparison of the proteolysis and occurrence of a range of β-casomorphin peptides in commercial U.S. Cheddar cheeses manufactured from A1/A2 and A2/A2 β-casein milks #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #A2; #β-casomorphin; #casein; #A1; #ripening; #cheese; #whey; #DRMS; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

April 15, 2026Episode 7131 min

DSD 7.4 | Impact of infection on mammary development in pregnant heifers

The trajectory of the success for a dairy cow begins with mammary development, long before lactation begins. Dr. Benjamin Enger, Associate Professor for The Ohio State University in Wooster, has worked with his team for years to best understand how infection can change the development and if the timing of infection impacts that response. He was specifically interested in Staphylococcus aureus (SA), a common contagious pathogen in dairy farms. To study this, 21 bred heifers at three stages (6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 months) of pregnancy were inoculated, and tissue samples were collected 21 days later to determine the damage done. In this edition, there is much discussion about the physiology of mammary gland development and how different stages of pregnancy impacts progress towards lactation. Understanding the development of the mammary, will likely illuminate the importance of seemingly meniscal management steps. Analyzing your farm’s data could hold the key to eliminating what might be the source of this devastating pathogen. Listen in today to learn more! Topics of discussion 1:40 Introduction of Dr. Ben Enger 3:08 Project set up 3:47 Knowledge gained in projects leading up to this hypothesis 6:53 What is mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and stromal cells 10:18 How did Staph Aureus (SA) impact amount of MEC and stromal cells in infected quarters 13:21 Cellular changes in heifers 6.5 vs 8.5 months pregnant 17:00 Cellular differences between the edge tissue vs the center (pic p4) 18:40 Duration of impact as the result of SA infection in pregnant heifers 20:54 How does SA get into calves prior to freshening? 22:53 Did you observe immunotolerance in the pregnant heifers? 25:53 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project 27:26 Experimental increase of milk using blanket therapy to heifers precalving 28:17 Examine first test SCC in first calf heifers 27:20 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Articles: Impact of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection on cellular proliferation and apoptosis on developing mammary glands of pregnant dairy heifers Supporting article: Impact of intramammary infections on mammary gland development in pregnant dairy heifers during late gestation #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #SA; #staphaureus ; #SA; #mammary; #mammarydevelopment; #heifer; #milk; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

March 16, 2026Episode 7031 min

DSD 7.3 | Generate More Grade 1 Embryos

Embryo transfer has become increasingly popular on US dairy farms to rapidly advance the genetic profile of the herd. This month’s feature article looks at the associations between fertility traits on the success of embryo transfer. Fertility traits such as daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), cow conception rate (CCR) and heifer conception rate (HCR) are consistently classified with low heritability. However, this retrospective study takes a deep dive into the data stored at the Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to use the statistical power of dairy farmers data. There, the researchers were able to find a clear impact of these traits on the success of an ET program and long term impact on herd fertility. Because ultimately … we’re just interested in more calves on the ground, so listen in to better understand how data is improving ET fertility setbacks. Topics of discussion 1:39 Introduction of Dr. Sophia Ortega 2:18 Fertility traits discussion 3:47 How to improve these traits with low heritability 6:25 In vivo (IVD) and in vitro procedures (IVP) definition 8:11 Grade 1 embryo improvements when selecting females using fertility traits 9:27 Embryo loss discussion 10:30 Difference preg rate between cow vs. heifer 12:03 Global impact of ET improvements using fertility traits 13:45 How ET trends in the dairy industry in the past 5 years 16:02 Limitation of in-vitro procedures and expected preg rate 16:57 Blastocyst rate improvement 19:19 Impact of fertility of ET recipients 21:08 Where to find the fertility traits when selecting 27:20 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Articles: Association of fertility traits with embryo development and pregnancy establishment Resources: Dairy Records Management Systems Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #embryo; #ET; #DPR; #CCR; #HCR; #embryotransfer; #CDCB; #DRMS; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

February 17, 2026Episode 6935 min

DSD 7.2 | Take a second look at Sorghum

Sorghum costs less to plant and requires less water to generate productive tonnages. For years, sorghum has been ignored as a dairy forage, because the starch filled berry was nearly impossible to process, limiting the energy available to the cow. To combat this issue a male sterile bmr dwarf variety was developed with no grain head as an opportunity to harvest a nutrient dense, resilient leafy forage. Researcher Juan Pineiro, Associate Professor & Extension Dairy Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo and his team substituted a portion of corn silage in the TMR with sorghum silage to determine the feasibility of this forage for dairy farms. The team found an improvement in dry matter intake which resulted in a nearly 8lb increase in milk produced when substituting 25% of the corn silage with headless sorghum silage. To compensate for the decrease in dietary starch, Dr. Pineiro added ground corn into the ration to balance energy. Additionally, Dr. Pineiro drew our attention to the recent advancements in berry processing for the non-sterile varieties. “We were able to see 0-1% intact berries remaining with the recently patented processor,” he explained. This unlocks the starch available to the cow and should causes dairymen to consider planting once again. He cautions hybrid selection, harvest timing and processing are all keys to making this affordable resilient forage to earn a spot in your ration. Sorghum should be given a second look, especially in water limiting – dairy dense regions. Listen-in to this episode for an update in sorghum advancements for your dairy. Topics of discussion 2:05 Introduction of Dr. Juan Pineiro 2:48 What is male sterile sorghum 4:54 Sugar impact on fermentation profile of sorghum silage 5:50 Harvesting management for dwarf bmr sorghum 7:47 Substituting corn silage with sorghum silage 9:42 Increase of 6.6 lbs in dry matter intake 13:07 Increase of 8lbs of milk by substituting 25% corn silage with sorghum silage. 14:09 Cropping strategies 15:18 Financial and risk considerations on the forage system 16:05 Crop rotation or double crop options 17:36 Hybrid selection matters 19:13 Berry processing technology advancements 21:05 Principals of starch degradability 21:41 Results – shift in population, but same microbial efficiency 23:58 Best berry processing – headlage or whole plant 25:36 Increasing ensiling duration to increase starch digestibility 29:38 Timing of harvest - late soft dough to optimize the total tonnage, starch concentration and reduced leachate 30:41 Next research : 0, 3, 6, 9 month fermentation with 2 varieties of sorghum – yielded 80% starch digestibility 32:21 What’s the custom harvesters charging with this new berry processor 33:17 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Articles: Effects of partially replacing corn silage with brown midrib male-sterile sorghum silage on intake, digestibility, and milk production in dairy cows Effects of a novel onboard sorghum kernel processor and height of cut on berry processing score and ruminal in situ starch disappearance of forage sorghum ensiled for 0 and 90 days #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #starchdegradation; #sorghum; #dwarf; #bmr; #fermentation; #ruminantnutrition; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

January 16, 2026Episode 6830 min

DSD 7.1 | Deliver more protein to the herd at a lower cost through microbial efficiency

Seventy percent of the protein your herd uses for lactation is derived from the microbial population in her rumen. Researchers from UC Davis and Feedworks USA sought to learn more about how different substrates might impact rumen microbial efficiency. They did this with the ultimate goal of increasing the flow of protein available for absorption to help offset feed costs, recognizing protein is the highest cost of the ration, and likely the largest fraction to the cost of production on most dairies. “We know that efficency of growth in the rumen varies dramatically, nearly 2 fold. Microbes can use 1/3 of their energy for growth or as much as 2/3,” Hackmann described. His lab is using invitro cultures to attempt to determine why this variation exists. “If we can pinpoint cause then we can accomidate and make microbes grow more efficiently and deliver more protein to the ruminant at a lower cost.” Past models, used in ration formulation software such as CNCPS , claim rumen bacteria perform digestion more efficiently when fed cellulose, over glucose. However, featured work by Dr. Tim Hackmann’s invitro lab suggests a different result. “We found there will be a larger mass of microbes that grow on glucose then cellulose but they also digest more, so the efficiency is not differnet.” Listen-in to this episode for in interesting dive into the expected changes in the rumen under these conditions. An added bonus banter from Dr. Benjamin Wenner , ruminant nutritionist with FeedWorks USA and co-author on the featured article, about the futuristic concepts possible for ruminant nutrition with mindful investment. Topics of discussion 1:29 Introduction of Dr. Tim Hackman and Dr. Benjamin Wenner 2:03 Key highlights of 80 years of Ruminant nutrition – role of rumen microorganisms, knows and unknowns 4:40 Description of the Invitro research system, magnetic stir syringe treatment delivery 6:41 Treatment differences – Glucose vs Cellulose 8:22 Different Carbohydrates, and concentration changes microbial population 10:04 Why did you choose to focus reporting on bacteria – Hackman 11:20 Importance of Bacteria cont’d, 60-90% of biomass of the rumen - Wenner 13:32 Biochemistry of the Rumen - Acetate:Propionate shifts as a result of the substrate 15:41 The main message of the paper 16:06 Analogy for the ease of digestion - Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin 17:36 Fermentation profile 18:41 Unusual product of fermentation - Caproate 20:43 Add value by reporting all data 21:41 Results – shift in population, but same microbial efficiency What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project 23:18 The future of Ruminant Nutrition – needed investments in descriptive microbiology to feed efficient animals of the future. 26:13 Nutritionists replaced by AI? 28:29 Improving Ration formulation software from 1992 Featured Article: Mixed rumen bacteria grow with similar efficiency on cellulose and glucose #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #CNCPS; #ruminant; #cellulose; #bacteria; #efficiency; #ruminantnutrition; #UCDavis; #feedworks; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

December 16, 2025Episode 6727 min

DSD 6.12 | Brachytic corn for increased production

DSD 6.12 | Brachytic corn for increased production The brachytic gene mutation results in corn that is shorter in stature but an improved digestibility profile. Through a reduction in intranode distance, the corn plant reduces indigestible fiber. Dr. Antonio Gallo , PhD ruminant nutritionist from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and his team in Italy recently studied the impact of this gene mutation on the productivity of the dairy herd. High quality, home grown forages allow dairy producers to maintain the competitive edge. By limiting the purchase of off-farm nutrients, forages possess the ability to advance or hold back a herd. When brachytic corn was fed, they found a yield increase of 3.8 lbs/cow/day. However, the higher producing animals did not consume more. “This is likely due to a chemotactic effect,” Gallo describes. The team measured changes in the intake pattern which provided insight to future research questions for data to better understand how this phenomenon could have happened. The quality of corn silage impacts the health and productivity of the dairy cow. Additionally, her intake behavior is impacted by the ration. As more dairy farms move toward robotic systems, maximizing the energy density of the PMR will directly impact productivity, perhaps brachytic corn is most important in these systems. Listen in to understand how the brachytic corn variety might work in your operation. Topics of discussion 1:24 Introduction of Dr. Antonio Gallo 3:01 What is “brachytic” 5:38 Chemical analysis of Short Stature (SSC) vs Tall Stature Corn (TSC) 6:24 NDF differences (Table 2) 9:11 Dry matter differences – ‘stay green’ benefit 10:02 What about disease pressure in corn fields 12:01 SSC field observations re: lodging during derechos 12:31 Planting rate 13:37 Ration calculation – and feeding strategy 14:58 Individual intake and feeding behavior of each animal 15:59 Research herd description 16:13 Milk yield response, 3.8 lbs/cow/day 17:22 Rumen Flow Rate 18:22 Dry matter yield drag at harvest? 20:10 Feed behavior – eating less and producing more 21:04 Chemotactic effect - Apparent digestibility NDF, starch and protein 24:52 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Article: Effect of silage from a new brachytic corn hybrid with a high harvest index on feeding behavior and performance of lactating dairy cows #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #NDFd; #cornsilage; #brachytic; #moremilk; #staygreen; #lignin; #mealsize; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

November 23, 2025Episode 6636 min

Spotify DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit

DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model. To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online . Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future. Topics of discussion 1:33 Introduction of Megan Lauber 2:54 Impact of strategic breeding on the beef semen industry, as of 2025 5:33 Preg Rate's impact on the insemination eligibility period (IEP) & change over time 7:49 Semen scenarios / combinations of beef and xx-semen to control inventory 9:34 Defining Insemination eligibility period (IEP) 11:21 Impact of insufficient replacements 13:03 Optimum time to inseminate a cow to maximize income 13:53 How does the shift in IEP manipulate the age of the national herd? 16:24 Figure 3: the unexpected shape of the net return 21:20 Herd turnover rate and Heifer survivability 22:48 Heifer hoarding vs just right 25:40 Figure 5: Net Return 28:57 Figure 7: Impact on Net return when Preg Rate increases across semen models 32:15 Why was 170 d used for the net return analysis? 33:21 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? Featured Article: An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproduction; #model; #pregrate; #21-dPR; #netreturn; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

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