The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Laura Hernandez, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explores key insights on managing hypocalcemia in dairy cattle. She discusses strategies to prevent both delayed and persistent hypocalcemia, as well as the concept of transient hypocalcemia, highlighting their impact on cow health and lactation performance. Don't miss the chance to revisit this discussion on optimizing dairy cattle health, productivity, and lifetime performance. Listen now on all major platforms.

"Delayed hypocalcemia is when you have a normal blood calcium concentration within the first two days postpartum, but then at four days postpartum, it becomes clinical or subclinical hypocalcemia."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Hernandez is a Professor of Lactation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she directs the Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program. With a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona, her research focuses on calcium homeostasis during lactation and preventing milk fever in dairy cattle.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:57) Introduction
(02:19) Dr. Hernandez's background
(03:05) Preventing hypocalcemia
(06:22) Transient hypocalcemia
(09:27) Dietary strategies for prevention
(10:25) Calcium binders and phosphorus
(12:45) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:

* Adisseo
* Barentz
* Vetagro
* Kemin
* Fortiva

- DietForge
- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Melissa Cantor from Penn State University unpacks new research on beef-on-dairy calves and their long-term performance. She explains the surprising impacts of early-life respiratory disease, what it means for marbling and carcass traits, and how management practices can reduce risks. Learn how dairy calf health decisions carry lasting value for beef outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Very early lung consolidation, often invisible to farmers, was linked to reduced growth for weeks after diagnosis."

Meet the guest: Dr. Melissa Cantor is an Assistant Professor of Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University, where her work focuses on calf nutrition, health, and precision management practices. With over 30 scientific publications, she leads extension efforts such as the Penn State Dairy Nutrition Workshop and supervises graduate research on calf health and dairy-beef systems. 

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:34) Introduction
(03:14) Early lung disease
(06:59) Carcass performance
(09:24) Energy efficiency
(10:29) Liver abscesses
(13:52) Final remarks
(15:19) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:

* Barentz
* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Fortiva
* Vetagro

- Virtus Nutrition
- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Melissa Cantor from Penn State University breaks down the science and management of pair housing for dairy calves. She explains the benefits and challenges of early pairing, behavioral concerns, and the latest findings from her team’s recent study. Explore strategies to support calf health and optimize early-life performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Pairing calves before 14 days of age supports social facilitation, improving starter intake and adaptation to new diets and environments."

Meet the guest: Dr. Melissa Cantor is an Assistant Professor of Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University. She earned her B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, and an M.Sc. in Dairy Science from UW–Madison. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Guelph. Her work focuses on dairy calf nutrition, behavior, and smart management systems. 

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:22) Introduction
(03:23) Pair housing benefits
(05:06) Abnormal behavior
(07:42) Cross-sucking behavior
(11:19) Research insights
(13:33) Study design
(19:14) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:

* Fortiva
* Vetagro
* Barentz
* Kemin
* Adisseo

- DietForge
- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
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LinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Massimo Bionaz explores the potential of hemp byproducts in dairy cattle nutrition. He shares insights on the nutritional potential of hemp-derived byproducts, challenges related to compound residues in animal feed, how regulatory frameworks influence feed innovation, and the future of feed trials. Discover what current research reveals and what still needs to be addressed before hemp can enter ruminant diets legally. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Spent hemp biomass has a nutrient profile comparable to alfalfa, making it a potentially valuable feed ingredient."

Meet the guest: Dr. Massimo Bionaz earned his Ph.D. in Dairy Husbandry and Production from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy, where he studied liver function and inflammation in dairy cows. He is currently an Associate Professor at Oregon State University, focusing on nutrigenomics, byproducts as feed, and dairy cow welfare.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:22) Introduction
(02:02) Legal status explained
(04:22) Nutritional profile insights
(05:05) Residual compound concerns
(06:50) Research insights
(10:49) Residue data
(14:20) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:

* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Fortiva
* Barentz

- Virtus Nutrition
- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jessica Halfen from Mississippi State University discusses how polyphenols and phytochemicals can improve dairy cow health during transition and heat stress periods. She shares her in vitro findings, explains the potential of using local byproducts as feed additives, and highlights the future of nutraceuticals in dairy nutrition. Listen now on all major platforms!

"These polyphenols can interact with the immune system, modulating response or decreasing pro-inflammatory response."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jessica Halfen is an Assistant Extension Research Professor of Dairy Science at Mississippi State University. She earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. Her research focuses on transition cow nutrition and health, with deep expertise in phytochemicals and immune function.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:51) Introduction
(03:41) Role of polyphenols
(05:08) Antioxidant mechanisms
(06:16) Byproduct feed potential
(07:58) Transition period health
(11:41) Nutraceuticals in dairy
(12:56) Closing thoughts

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:

* Adisseo
* Fortiva
* Barentz

- DietForge
- Kemin
- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast