Dairy Science Digest

reaganbluel

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

  1. 2H AGO

    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

    36 min

  2. JAN 16

    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

    31 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    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

    28 min

  4. 11/23/2025

    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

    36 min

  5. 11/17/2025

    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

    36 min

  6. 10/16/2025

    DSD 6.10 | Summary of Social Housing for Calves

    Individual housing for pre-weaned calves has long been gold standard, since it was first introduced in the 40s. However, interest has emerged around paired and group housing for this phase of production. Intermittent research on this topic has been published over the past 25 years but has never been compiled, until now. Dr. Katarina Buckova from IA State University, and her team combed through research databases and compiled the results of several projects on paired housing, compared to individually housed calves. Research on production, health and behavior illuminated gaps in knowledge needed for producers to effectively move forward on this production practice. If your farm is considering paired or group housing, listen in for a compelling discussion about the impacts, perceived and measured, about how this calf development concept could impact the future of your herd. Topics of discussion 1:25      Introduction of Dr. Katarina Buckova   3:00      Why review / summarize paired housing research? 4:40      What age were calves paired   6:40       Performance & Health based observations of paired housing 7:49       Body weight gain 8:58       Table 11 – Summary of all metrics 10:04     Volume of milk fed 11:31     Feed conversion ratio     12:22     Did you see scours? 13:50     Possible negative effects of paired housing 14:49    “No effect” is still important information 16:13    Calf behavior differences, coping 18:58     Future research ideas 20:29     What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? 22:48     Discussion of paired vs group housing for new build 25:20     Paired housing presence in FARM program?  Featured Article: Invited review: A systematic review of the effects of pair housing on dairy calf welfare and productivity #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #dairycalf; #socialhousing; #pairedhousing; #hutch; #preweaning; #calfbehavior; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

    30 min

  7. 09/16/2025

    DSD 6.9 | Surplus calves are a perishable commodity

    DSD 6.9 | Surplus calves are a perishable commodity This robust beef market is having a direct impact on the bottom line of dairy calf buyers and possesses the ability to radically impact dairymen’s bottom line long term through low all milk prices. This month we talk to researcher Dr. Sam Locke from The Ohio State University about a survey launched to help better understand the workings of the current calf buyers, jockeys and marketers. All sectors of this parallel and complementary production stream must work together for the dairy industry to generate a stronger, longer - lasting foothold in the beef industry. If done well through this opportunity, the dairy surplus calf market will establish a foothold in the beef supply chain. Listen in to hear insightful quotes from these Midwest calf buyers to help maximize your operation’s innate revenue stream. Topics of discussion 1:06       Paper Title: Understanding 1:40       Introduction of Dr. Sam Locke 2:39       Description of research participants who were being interviewed 3:42       Description of operations 5:07       What are surplus calves 6:09        Percent of Beef on Dairy vs. Holstein calves 7:10       Date of survey / market effect on responses 8:12       Themes of responses 9:36       Number one issue: Long distance transporting 11:31     Gathering calves – the route 12:42     Policies around calf transport in Canada 14:56     Premiums for ideal serum values 16:28     Expert advice needed 18:52     Opinions on vertical integration 21:33     Long term contributions to the beef industry going forward 22:39     Health challenges – consider vaccination 23:54     What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? 24:52     Budget impacts Featured Article: Understanding challenges and strengths in the post–dairy farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #bullcalves; #beefondairy; #surpluscalves; #growers; #Calfjockey; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

    28 min

  8. 08/19/2025

    DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money

    DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money For years researchers have sought out to better understand control mechanisms for a successful transition into lactation from the dry period. We’ve learned changing body condition score during the dry period is not acceptable, but what if it changes during late lactation?  How does this impact energy partitioning for the next lactation? Well managed high producing cows with high fertility might find themselves bred back in less than the “textbook ideal” condition score heading into the dry period. Can we alter the late lactation ration to successfully increase condition with little impact? Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin worked with a team of researchers at the Forage Center to better understand what is happening if high energy is fed late in lactation through extensive data collection to determine the possible potential carry over effects for subsequent lactations. Listen into this compelling discussion as we learn more about the “black box” we know as the transition dairy cow and what phase to invest in to maximize your return. Topics of discussion 1:01       Goal of this month’s research 1:40       Introduction of Dr. Laura Hernandez 2:52       Why is this topic important 5:09       Test ration design for increasing BCS in late lactation 3.25 vs 3.75 8:45       Cow responses to the ration 11:05     Figure 1a: BCS change over 12 weeks 11:45     Dry matter intake 10:27     Possible hormonal responses causing the     13:49     Energy partitioning 16:12     Genetic analysis for response and non-response 18:40     Dry cow and early ration following treatment 19:19     High energy effect on dystocia 20:50     Early lactation energy measurements 22:45     Close up - Intake differences of high and low energy 23:23     Fig 3d: Early lactation intake difference 24:44     Visceral fat changes 26:54     Denovo fatty acids in milk, 70 days post treatment 30:54     Concentration of Megalac in treatment ration 31:57     Description of animals on treatment 32:47     What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? Featured Article: Effects of high-energy and low-energy diets during late lactation on the subsequent dry period and lactation of Holstein dairy cows #2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #transition; #latelactation; #earlylactation; #dmi; #NEFA; #BHB; #drycow; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    reaganbluel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dairy Science Digest

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