Dairy Digressions ADSA

We don’t pick favorites among our guests, but we’re especially thrilled to welcome Jessica A. A. McArt, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Dairy Practice), to the pod! Jess is the new Editor in Chief of JDS Communications and associate professor of ambulatory and production medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where her McArt Dairy Cow Lab focuses on improving cowside detection and the prevention of periparturient disease. Matt and Jess discuss her journey into dairy science—from growing up in Alaska to helming JDS Communications to wrestling with the shocking fact that only 14% of scientific journal editors are women and only 8% are editors in chief. The two discuss the very real systemic gender inequality in academia, its effects on a career in dairy science, and the role these forces play in the current shortage of large-animal veterinary practitioners. Looking to the future, Jess outlines her vision for JDS Communications and her challenge for our community to question assumptions and welcome diverse voices. Taking listeners into her research, Jess explains her recent findings on early lactation disease markers, including hyperketonemia and hypocalcemia–plus an explanation of dyscalcemia, a new term in the scientific milieu that originated in her lab. Finally, Jess leaves us with the best advice she received as a young researcher and the reasons she advises her students and mentees to say “yes” to opportunities—even if it pushes them outside of their comfort zone.  

Join us for a special episode of Dairy Digressions recorded live at the International Embryo Technology Society’s 50th Annual Conference. Between sessions, host Matt Lucy sat down with Goetz Laible, PhD, biochemist and principal scientist at AgResearch and honorary associate professor at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Their discussion walks listeners through Goetz’s work in developing and evaluating technologies for the genetic improvement of livestock. In the face of our warming climate, Goetz and his animal biotechnology team are working to advance gene-editing technology to help dairy herds cope better—and stay healthy and productive—with increasing heat exposure. The two also deep dive into the science behind Goetz’s recent work on light-colored coats in Holstein Friesian cows. Using direct editing of embryos, Goetz and his team amplified naturally occurring coat mutation—which makes some cows lighter than others—to create lighter-colored cows in a single generation. These animals still retain their classic spots but with increased white coverage and a dilution of black spots to a light gray. Lighter gene-edited cows absorb a staggering 40% less solar radiation than their dominantly black counterparts, representing an important step forward for grass-fed dairy herds that spend most of their time outdoors. Listen in as Goetz sheds light on the potential applications of this technology in dairy herds, including his experience taking it to producers. He and Matt discuss the changing tides when it comes to farmer and consumer openness toward biotechnologies with the potential to help cows lead healthier, happier lives. An avid traveler, Goetz also shares his favorite perk of working in science and his advice for young scientists to embrace collaboration.

Episode Thirteen Show Notes

Learn more about Goetz Laible’s work with AgResearch and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Save the date for the 51st International Embryo Technology Society Annual Conference (January 18–21, 2025, in Fort Worth, TX).

Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode:

Production of light-coloured, low heat-absorbing Holstein Friesian cattle by precise embryo-mediated genome editing, Reproduction, Fertility and Development (2023)

Cytoplasmic injection of zygotes to genome edit naturally occurring sequence variants into bovine embryos, Frontiers in Genetics (2022)

Embryo-mediated genome editing for accelerated genetic improvement of livestock, Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (2020)

Cattle with a precise, zygote-mediated deletion safely eliminate the major milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin, Scientific Reports (2018)

Targeted microRNA expression in dairy cattle directs production of β-lactoglobulin-free, high-casein milk, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2012)

Why does the dairy sector have such a good story to tell about environmental sustainability, and how can each of us be a better storyteller for the industry? Join us for a mega episode of Dairy Digressions to find out! Host Matt Lucy is joined by esteemed guest Frank Mitloehner, PhD, a professor and extension specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis, and director of the UC Davis CLEAR Center. An agricultural engineer and air-quality expert, Frank explains exactly why today’s climate change is outside of normal climate patterns, outlines the three main gases responsible for the greenhouse gas effect (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), and illustrates how their increase leads to higher environmental temperatures. While we know that the energy sector, particularly carbon from fossil fuels, accounts for the majority of global emissions, agriculture and the methane from livestock play a critical role in moving the needle toward our shared net zero–emissions future. With a majority of American refrigerators containing animal-sourced foods, Frank is focused on how we can produce those foods while addressing environmental issues ranging from air quality and emissions to animal welfare, worker health and safety, and more. Using Frank’s home state of California as an example, the two discuss how agriculture is currently excelling in finding ways to turn methane from a liability into an asset; dairy farms are on track to achieve 40% or more methane reduction by 2030, reach climate neutrality, and sell credits to other sectors. Despite these incredible advancements, it can feel like the climate narrative around agriculture remains thorny. Frank explains why he established the CLEAR Center and his work—including a recent trip to speak at COP28—to not only advance the science around climate in agriculture but to break down misconceptions and help consumers and thought leaders better understand the importance of agriculture in sustainably nourishing the world.

Episode Twelve Show Notes

Learn more about Frank Mitloehner’s work at the UC Davis CLEAR Center, read his blog posts, and connect with him on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Catch up on the papers and the news articles discussed in the
episode:

Big oil distracts from their carbon footprint by tricking you to focus on yours, GHG Guru (2020)

New report: California is pioneering a pathway to significant dairy methane reduction, UC Davis CLEAR Center (2022)

Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2023)

Animal board invited review: Opportunities and challenges in using GWP* to report the impact of ruminant livestock on global temperature change, Animal (2023)

Fifty years of environmental progress for United States dairy farms, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

We’re kicking off the new year—and our new season of Dairy Digressions—with a special guest, Pete Hansen, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences and L. E. “Red” Larson Professor at the University of Florida. Pete’s research focuses on embryo physiology and developing new management strategies for increasing dairy cattle fertility, particularly in the face of heat stress and a warming climate. A leader in embryology and early embryonic loss, Pete explains when embryos are most sensitive to heat stress and why—including the scientific tools we have for preventing these effects—from genetic selection to embryo transfer to management for cow health and the potential future of artificial embryos from stem cells. A longtime mentor to undergraduate and graduate students (don’t miss his paper on the topic!), Pete also lets listeners in on his teaching philosophy and shares tips for crafting a lab environment that fosters collaboration, hard work, and joy around science.



Episode Eleven Show Notes

Learn more about Pete Hansen’s work at the University of Florida, and connect with him on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Are you interested in learning more about the journal
loyalty program mentioned in the episode? Get all the details,
and sign up today!

Catch up on the papers and the news article discussed on the
episode:

Reflections on a career as a graduate mentor—from baby steps at Wisconsin to today, Journal
of Animal Science (2023)

Stem cells used to model a two-week-old human embryo, Nature
News and Views (2023)

Complete human day 14 post-implantation embryo models from naive ES cells, Nature
(2023)

Pluripotent stem cell-derived model of the post-implantation
human embryo, Nature (2023)

Join us for a very special episode of Dairy Digressions with our first-ever guest cohost, Kimmi Devaney of the Progressive Dairy Podcast and former ADSA Undergraduate Student Division president. Joining host Matt Lucy, the two sit down with Daryl Nydam, DVM, PhD, dairy health and production professor who serves as a director in Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the faculty director at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Daryl’s journey—from his childhood in a dairy and veterinary medicine family to a college student studying science
while shooting hoops to working at the nexus of dairy, veterinary medicine, and human health—has been fascinating. Amidst growing consumer concerns about environmental and animal welfare issues, Daryl reassures listeners that cows today are thriving because of monumental advancements in veterinary care
and management. The discussion covers the importance of optimal replacement decisions to reduce enteric methane production and ensure that each herd has the best cows in the barn. The trio also gets into another critical conservation issue: antimicrobial resistance. Daryl explains a novel, pathogen-based strategy for clinical mastitis treatment during lactation so farmers can make economical and stewardship-driven decisions, thereby reducing the need for antibiotics and hospital pen time. Listeners can also learn more about selective dry cow therapy: For some farms, gone are the days of treating every cow at dry off; now, with advanced diagnostics, we can treat only those cows with infections or at high risk of acquiring an infection during the dry period, maintaining milk quality and herd health without unnecessary antimicrobial exposure. Join us in this enlightening episode as we navigate the intricate landscape of dairy stewardship and why we should all feel optimistic about the dairy industry.

 

Episode Ten Show Notes

Learn more about the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
and Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and connect with Daryl Nydam on LinkedIn.

Read Progressive Dairy, explore the Progressive Dairy Podcast, and connect with Kimmi Devaney on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

Are you interested in participating in future Discover Conference meetings? Save the date for the 46th Discover Conference on precision dairy farming (May 6–9, 2024; Itasca, IL).

Catch up on the papers and article discussed on the episode:

Herd turnover rate reexamined: A tool for improving profitability, welfare, and sustainability, American Journal of Veterinary Research (2023)

Dairy production sustainability through a one-health lens, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2022)

Implementing selective dry cow therapy on farms across New York state, Progressive Dairy (2022)

Pull up a seat as we dive into dairy genetics and Ireland’s esteemed national dairy breeding index—the Economic Breeding Index (EBI)—with the man who championed it, Donagh Berry, PhD. Berry is a quantitative geneticist and a Senior Principal Research Officer with Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre and Director of VistaMilk SFI Research Centre. He joins longtime friend Matt for a special installment of Dairy Digressions recorded during the ADSA Discover Conference on dairy cattle lifespan to explain how he became interested in animal genetics through a love of math and his work developing technologies and tools to help improve dairy farm profitability and futureproof dairy production for the next generation and beyond. Berry takes us behind the decisions that go into selecting traits for the EBI as well as the history of genetic selection—which up until 30 years ago focused mainly on milk production.
The two discuss the state of dairy in Ireland and applaud the resilience and ability of Irish farmers to change and adapt over time, from adopting the EBI despite doubts to transitioning from seeing clover as a weed to a tool reducing dairy’s environmental footprint. Finally, Donagh walk us through the evolving discussion of dairy cow longevity as it relates to genetic progress, profitability, and dairy’s carbon footprint—including how genomics and sexed semen have turned the discussion on its head.

 

Episode Nine Show Notes

Learn more about Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre and VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, and connect with Donagh Berry on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.   

Are you interested in participating in future Discover Conference meetings? Save the date for the 46th Discover on precision dairy farming happening May 6-9, 2024 in Itasca, IL.



Catch up on the papers discussed on the episode:

Invited review: Beef-on-dairy—The generation of crossbred beef × dairy cattle, Journal of Dairy Science (2021)

Predicting methane emissions of individual grazing dairy cows from spectral analyses of their milk samples, Journal of Dairy Science (2023)