The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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Learn dairy health from the brightest minds of the global swine industry – in 9 minutes. If you are a dairy veterinarian who wants to stay up to date with all that is working in the industry, but doesn’t know how to start, doesn’t have the time, or feel most courses out there don’t deliver, then you have come to the right place. The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is specially designed by and for professionals just like yourself. With it, you can effortlessly have access to the thoughts of the most brilliant minds in our industry – all while going about your routine and saving your time.

  1. Melinda Kovacs: Beef-on-Dairy Crossbred Health and Growth | Ep. 47

    4D AGO

    Melinda Kovacs: Beef-on-Dairy Crossbred Health and Growth | Ep. 47

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Melinda Kovacs, MSc graduate student from the University of Guelph, explains how beef-on-dairy crossbred calves compare to purebred Holsteins in health, growth, and carcass performance. Her retrospective study followed calves from birth to harvest, revealing lower disease incidence and higher weight gains in crossbreds. Listen now on all major platforms! Click here to read the full research article! “Perhaps there is a greater ability of these crossbred calves to recover from diseases compared to Holstein calves.” Meet the guest: Melinda Kovacs is an MSc graduate in Animal Biosciences from the University of Guelph, where her research focused on health outcomes, growth performance, and carcass traits of beef-on-dairy crossbred calves. Her work was recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Learn more from Melinda Kovacs on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:57) Introduction(02:13) Dairy x beef crossbreeding(04:47) Study design and results(06:43) Health outcomes(08:27) Growth performance and body weight(09:45) Following calves to harvest(11:42) Closing thoughts The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like: * inBarn 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    15 min
  2. Dr. Stephen Wadsworth: Training Future Dairy Veterinarians | Ep. 46

    APR 29

    Dr. Stephen Wadsworth: Training Future Dairy Veterinarians | Ep. 46

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Stephen Wadsworth, dairy veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Vermont, explains how experiential learning through student-managed herds builds practical skills in dairy health and management. He highlights hands-on training, accountability for decision-making, and workforce development for future veterinarians. Discover how real farm experience strengthens technical expertise and industry readiness. Listen now on all major platforms! "Managing a small dairy herd allows a detailed understanding of individual animal biology, which can later be scaled to larger operations with stronger confidence and technical accuracy." Meet the guest: Dr. Stephen Wadsworth is a dairy veterinarian and lecturer at the University of Vermont, specializing in dairy health management, reproduction, and animal welfare. With over four decades of field experience, his work focuses on experiential learning through student-managed herds and workforce development in dairy veterinary medicine.  Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:05) Introduction(02:07) Student herd(03:30) Small herd value(05:14) Hands-on learning(06:17) Student transformation(08:07) Work ethic(12:27) Closing thoughts The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like: * inBarn 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    13 min
  3. Gaurav Dutta: Improving Dairy Fertility Traits | Ep. 45

    APR 22

    Gaurav Dutta: Improving Dairy Fertility Traits | Ep. 45

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Gaurav Dutta, Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Connecticut, explains how genomics is improving female fertility traits in dairy cattle. He discusses low-heritability challenges, new measurable traits, and how heat stress affects reproduction and production. Get practical insights on genetic evaluation systems and future opportunities. Listen now on all major platforms! "Female fertility traits present low heritability and are heavily influenced by management and environmental conditions, making genetic improvement challenging within modern dairy production systems." Meet the guest: Gaurav Dutta is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut specializing in dairy cattle genomics, quantitative genetics, and transcriptomics. With a veterinary background and research experience in fertility traits and heat stress, his work focuses on improving genetic evaluations for dairy production systems.  Read the full research articles here: Foundational Review of U.S. Female Fertility Trait Evaluations Genetic parameters and genomic predictions for milk yield by season in US Holsteins: Assessing genotype by environment interactions under heat stress in Texas and Wisconsin PSXIV-6 Comparison of Changes in Snp Effects and Gebv Using Different Training Populations in Simulated Data Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:49) Introduction(01:47) Fertility traits(02:09) Low heritability(03:02) Phenotypic trends(03:59) Trait evaluation(05:42) New trait(07:58) Closing thoughts The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like: * inBarn 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    9 min
  4. Bridger Sparks: Parity Effects on Cows' Metabolic Health | Ep. 44

    APR 15

    Bridger Sparks: Parity Effects on Cows' Metabolic Health | Ep. 44

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Bridger Sparks, PhD candidate at Texas Tech University, explains how adipose tissue innervation influences lipid mobilization and metabolic health in dairy cows. He discusses parity effects, catecholamine regulation, and links to ketosis and transition disorders. Bridger highlights future strategies for breeding and biomarker development. Listen now on all major platforms! "Excessive lipid mobilization creates significant metabolic stress, increasing the likelihood of disorders that impact productivity, reproduction, and overall efficiency within modern dairy systems." Meet the guest: Bridger Sparks is a PhD candidate in Animal Science at Texas Tech University, focusing on how adipose tissue innervation affects metabolic health in dairy cows. His work integrates neurobiology and physiology to study transition period challenges, with publications in the Journal of Dairy Science and recognition from ADSA.  Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:56) Introduction(01:51) Research motivation(02:31) Lipolysis control(03:59) Why it matters(05:00) Parity effects(06:01) Enzyme pathways(10:45) Closing thoughts The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies like: * inBarn 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    13 min
  5. Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos: IgG Transfer and Dry Off Timing | Ep. 43 - Part 2

    APR 8

    Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos: IgG Transfer and Dry Off Timing | Ep. 43 - Part 2

    In this part two episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos, NSERC postdoctoral research fellow at UC Davis and the University of Guelph, continues the conversation, explaining how dry off strategies and dry period length influence colostrum quality and IgG transfer. She discusses regenerative involution, high milk production at dry-off, and management approaches to improve colostrum outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms! “The length of the dry period has been repeatedly associated with colostrum production, particularly when cows are managed appropriately before calving.” Meet the guest: Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos is an NSERC postdoctoral research fellow at UC Davis and the University of Guelph, specializing in whole body and mammary metabolism. She completed her MSc at the University of Alberta, studying colostrum management, and her PhD at the University of Guelph, focusing on maternal and mammary factors affecting colostrum production and composition. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:49) Introduction(01:56) Milk production impact(02:49) Regenerative involution(03:27) IgG transfer timing(03:50) Once daily milking(04:57) Skip day method(08:39) Closing thoughts 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    10 min
  6. Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos: Colostrum Synthesis Timeline | Ep. 42 - Part 1

    APR 1

    Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos: Colostrum Synthesis Timeline | Ep. 42 - Part 1

    In this part one episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos, NSERC postdoctoral research fellow at UC Davis and the University of Guelph, explains how colostrum is produced and what drives its composition. She shares new findings on IgG accumulation, macronutrient synthesis, mammary activity during the dry period, and management factors influencing colostrum quality. Discover practical insights to improve dairy health outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms! “Higher milk yield at dry off was linked to greater mammary activity during the dry period and poorer colostrum outcomes.” Meet the guest: Dr. Amanda Fischer-Tlustos is an NSERC postdoctoral research fellow at UC Davis and the University of Guelph, specializing in whole body and mammary metabolism. She completed her MSc at the University of Alberta, studying colostrum management, and her PhD at the University of Guelph, focusing on maternal and mammary factors affecting colostrum production and composition. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:39) Introduction(01:39) Colostrum synthesis timeline(03:50) IgG accumulation patterns(05:44) Mammary activity effects(07:09) High-producing cows(07:43) Dry off practices(08:33) Closing thoughts 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    10 min
  7. Dr. Dave Renaud: Rethinking Antibiotic Use in Calf Diarrhea | Ep. 41

    MAR 25

    Dr. Dave Renaud: Rethinking Antibiotic Use in Calf Diarrhea | Ep. 41

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Dave Renaud, Associate Professor at the University of Guelph and veterinary epidemiologist, discusses antibiotic use in treating calf diarrhea. He shares research showing that blanket antibiotic therapy at the onset of diarrhea can reduce performance and increase health risks. Dr. Renaud also explains selective treatment, supportive care, and practical strategies to improve calf health outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms! "Disruption of the gut microbiota during diarrhea, followed by antibiotic administration, may worsen dysbiosis and delay recovery." Meet the guest: Dr. Dave Renaud earned a PhD in Epidemiology and a DVM from the University of Guelph. As an Associate Professor in dairy cattle health and veterinary epidemiology, his research focuses on disease prevention, calf welfare, and antimicrobial stewardship. He works closely with producers to apply data-driven solutions that improve herd health and productivity.  Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:43) Introduction(01:44) Selective antibiotic use(03:49) Supportive therapy focus(06:07) On farm logistics(07:28) Microbiome impact(09:46) Treatment decisions(10:07) Final Questions 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    11 min
  8. Dr. Herman Barkema: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dairy | Ep. 40

    MAR 18

    Dr. Herman Barkema: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dairy | Ep. 40

    In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Herman Barkema, Professor of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, explains why reducing antimicrobial use on dairy farms is both practical and necessary. He discusses mastitis prevention, dry-cow management, biosecurity, and antimicrobial resistance from a herd-health perspective. Listen now on all major platforms! “Every infection that does not occur does not have to be treated, and antimicrobial stewardship is actually biosecurity and prevention of transmission in the herd.” Meet the guest: Dr. Herman Barkema is a Professor of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, with joint appointments in veterinary medicine and community health sciences. His work focuses on disease prevention, mastitis control, and antimicrobial resistance in dairy cattle systems. He leads national and international One Health initiatives and has published extensively on dairy herd health.  Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight(00:35) Introduction(01:51) Reducing antibiotics(02:51) Resistance risks(04:22) Dry cow strategy(06:29) Prevention focus(07:41) Producer concerns(10:22) Final Questions 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

    11 min
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About

Learn dairy health from the brightest minds of the global swine industry – in 9 minutes. If you are a dairy veterinarian who wants to stay up to date with all that is working in the industry, but doesn’t know how to start, doesn’t have the time, or feel most courses out there don’t deliver, then you have come to the right place. The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast is specially designed by and for professionals just like yourself. With it, you can effortlessly have access to the thoughts of the most brilliant minds in our industry – all while going about your routine and saving your time.

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