In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Froylan Sosa, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains how heat stress affects dairy reproduction at the cellular level. Dr. Sosa discusses oocyte quality, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, early embryo sensitivity, and why pregnancy loss can begin before producers confirm conception. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Heat stress can compromise early embryo development before pregnancy is ever confirmed on the farm."

Meet the guest: Dr. Froylan Sosa is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Florida, and his research focuses on how nutrition, essential amino acids, and heat stress affect oocyte quality, embryo development, and placental function in dairy cattle. Learn more from Dr. Froylan Sosa on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:23) Introduction
• (02:59) Heat stress effects
• (03:48) Mitochondrial damage
• (04:42) Oxidative stress
• (05:33) Embryo vulnerability
• (08:03) Oocyte quality
• (09:26) Closing thoughts

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

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. George Smith from the University of Arizona explains how research, extension, and industry partnerships can move dairy science into practical farm results. He discusses reproductive management, research infrastructure, a nutritional strategy associated with more than $1 per cow per day, heat stress, water use, and sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Applied dairy research can improve milk components and feed efficiency while delivering more than one dollar per cow per day for producers."

Meet the guest: Dr. George Smith is the Charles-Sander Dean of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Previously, he served as Professor and Director of MSU AgBioResearch at Michigan State University, where he built a 29-year career in animal science and research leadership. Learn more from Dr. George Smith on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:21) Introduction
• (02:01) Reproductive research impact
• (02:45) Applied research partnerships
• (04:27) Research infrastructure
• (06:38) Extension opportunities
• (08:34) Future industry challenges
• (10:48) Closing thoughts

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

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Angelica Dias, Assistant Professor in Bovine Health at the University of Calgary, explains why digital dermatitis remains difficult to control in dairy cows. She discusses Treponema species, anaerobic bacteria, microbial dysbiosis, lesion reservoirs, treatment limitations, and footbath strategies for herd-level prevention. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Digital dermatitis is not just a bacterial infection; it is a complex multifactorial disease."

Meet the guest: Dr. Angelica Dias is an Assistant Professor in Bovine Health at the University of Calgary. Her work focuses on dairy cattle health and management, infectious diseases in cattle, host-microbe-environment interactions, and strategies for disease prevention and control. She earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Calgary, her DVM from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, and her master's degree in Animal Science with a focus on ruminant production. Learn more from Dr. Angelica Dias on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:05) Introduction
• (01:50) Why DD is complex
• (03:58) Microbial dynamics
• (06:32) Lesion reservoirs
• (07:38) Treatment limits
• (08:25) Herd-level control
• (09:15) Closing thoughts

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

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Sue Hagenson, Senior Dairy Consultant at inBarn Solutions, explains how cow comfort, ventilation, and targeted cooling shape dairy performance during heat stress. She discusses early behavioral warning signs, holding pen priorities, fan and soaking mistakes, and how to create barn environments that support healthier and more productive cows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Cow comfort is part of dairy production because lying time, rumination, feed intake, reproduction, hoof health, and longevity all connect to performance."

Meet the guest: Sue Hagenson is a Senior Dairy Consultant and Cow Comfort Specialist at inBarn Solutions Inc. with more than 30 years of international dairy industry experience. She specializes in cow comfort, heat stress management, barn ventilation, and cooling system performance, helping dairy producers improve herd wellbeing, productivity, resource efficiency, and farm profitability through practical, science-based solutions. Listen to Sue Hagenson on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Joshua Brooke: How Technology Improves Cow Comfort | Ep. 50

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:10) Introduction
• (01:46) Cow comfort value
• (04:10) Early heat signs
• (05:05) Cooling priorities
• (08:10) Cooling system mistakes
• (11:30) Targeted cooling results
• (14:17) Closing thoughts

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

- inBarn

* Boehringher Ingelheim

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Vinicius Machado, Associate Professor at Texas Tech University, explains how selective therapy for metritis can reduce antimicrobial use in dairy cows. Dr. Machado discusses cow-level data, biomarkers, farm technologies, AI-based prediction models, and validation steps that protect productivity, reproduction, and animal welfare. Listen now on all major platforms!

"AI-based algorithms increased metritis treatment prediction accuracy from about 75% to nearly 95%, creating stronger support for selective therapy decisions."

Meet the guest: Dr. Vinicius Machado is an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University, where his work focuses on dairy science, epidemiology, animal health, and precision livestock strategies. Research connects cow-level data, biomarkers, and predictive modeling to improve dairy cow health and reduce antimicrobial use. Learn more from Dr. Vinicius Machado on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:23) Introduction
• (02:27) Selective therapy
• (03:15) Cow data
• (05:32) Research stages
• (06:54) AI models
• (08:10) Strategy validation
• (11:59) Closing thoughts

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

* Boehringher Ingelheim

- inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Walter Gruenberg, Professor of Ruminant Health at Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Germany, explains how phosphorus management affects transition cow health. He discusses phosphorus deprivation, bone mobilization, phosphorus binders, calcium balance, feed intake risk, and why dry-cow strategies must align with each farm's primary risk factors. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The best transition cow strategy depends on the farm's main risk factor, with phosphorus, potassium, and anionic tools used to solve the specific problem rather than compensate blindly."

Meet the guest: Dr. Walter Gruenberg is Professor of Ruminant Health at Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Germany, and Past-President of the European College of Bovine Health Management. His work focuses on animal reproduction, medicine, surgery, transition cow health, mineral metabolism, and dairy cattle nutrition. Learn more about phosphorus management and transition cow performance with Dr. Walter Gruenberg on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:05) Introduction
• (02:04) Phosphorus interest
• (03:14) Bone mobilization
• (04:29) Fresh cow risks
• (06:38) Binder strategy
• (12:30) Phosphorus levels
• (15:31) 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.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michelle Schack, dairy veterinarian and co-founder of DairyKind, discusses how employee training improves animal well-being, workforce consistency, and audit readiness on dairy farms. She shares insights on labor turnover, video-based learning, documentation, and helping employees understand the purpose behind key procedures. Discover practical strategies to strengthen training programs and accountability. Listen now on all major platforms

"Training that explains why procedures matter turns dairy workers into skilled technicians, not just people following steps."

Meet the guest: Dr. Michelle Schack is a veterinarian and member of the DairyKind team, where she helps dairy farms strengthen employee training, animal well-being practices, and workforce development. Her work focuses on practical training systems, employee education, documentation, and audit preparedness to support dairy operations. Listen to Dr. Michelle Schack on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:49) Introduction
• (02:34) Employee training challenges
• (03:29) Video-based learning
• (06:11) Training documentation
• (07:07) Turnover challenges
• (09:08) Worker knowledge
• (12:49) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

- WiseVAs

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Denicol from UC Davis discusses advanced reproductive technologies shaping dairy cattle breeding. She explains in vitro embryo production, genomic testing, gene editing, disease resistance, heat tolerance, and future applications that could improve productivity, health, and animal welfare. Discover how these innovations may influence the next generation of dairy genetics. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Gene editing can introduce desirable genetic traits into elite embryos while maintaining valuable production characteristics.

Meet the guest: Dr. Anna Denicol is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in reproductive and developmental biology. She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Biology and Embryology from the University of Florida and completed postdoctoral research in ovarian and stem cell biology at Northeastern University. Her work focuses on advancing reproductive technologies and genetic improvement in livestock. Listen to Dr. Anna Denicol on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (02:17) Introduction
• (03:07) Reproductive technologies
• (05:14) Embryo integration
• (06:31) Genetics insights
• (08:19) Disease resistance
• (11:22) Future breeding innovations
• (13:11) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

- WiseVAs

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ronaldo Cerri from the University of British Columbia discusses the evolution of dairy cattle reproduction. Dr. Cerri explains why the industry is shifting from perfecting synchronization protocols to improving overall herd health, and how data analysis helps identify the real drivers of fertility on each farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Herd health affects fertility more than any single factor in the literature, making it central to reproductive progress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ronaldo Cerri is an Associate Professor in the Applied Biology program at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on fertility issues in dairy and beef cattle, sustainable reproductive technologies, and understanding interactions between inflammation, health disorders, the uterus, and the developing embryo. Learn more from Dr. Ronaldo Cerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:34) Introduction
• (02:29) Overlooked challenges
• (03:54) Health and fertility
• (06:12) Metabolic health
• (09:06) Reproductive management
• (12:14) Precision dairy
• (13:48) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

- WiseVAs

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz, Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of Temuco in Chile, explains how seasonal calving creates pressure on pasture-based dairy systems. She discusses calf supervision, environmental stress, worker workload, colostrum hygiene, and how management routines protect newborn calves during high-risk calving windows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Seasonal calving pressure becomes risky when dairy systems lack the resources, protocols, and staff capacity to absorb it."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health at Catholic University of Temuco, in Chile. She earned her MSc and PhD in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and completed postdoctoral training at Michigan State University. Her work focuses on the health, welfare, care, behavior, and nutrition of dairy cows and pre-weaned calves in dairy systems. Learn more from Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:12) Introduction
• (02:10) Seasonal calving
• (04:38) Environmental pressure
• (06:05) Worker workload
• (07:42) Calf priorities
• (10:02) Colostrum management
• (13:45) 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

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Tiarna Scerri, PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, explains how antimicrobial resistance is changing mastitis treatment research. She discusses synthetic biology, farmer-centered product design, regulation, and why new therapies must be both effective and practical for dairy farms. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Alternative mastitis treatments need to be effective, sustainable, and practical enough for farmers to adopt from the start."

Meet the guest: Tiarna Scerri is a PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, developing alternative treatments for mastitis to address antimicrobial resistance in major mastitis-causing bacteria. She holds degrees in science and law, advocates for proactive regulation of agricultural biotechnology, and is part of the 2026 Groundbreakers Program, a cohort whose endeavors are supported by AgriFutures Australia. Learn more from Tiarna Scerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:28) Introduction
• (01:52) Ag law background
• (04:08) Resistance challenge
• (06:15) Synthetic biology
• (07:28) Farm practicality
• (10:28) Commercial outlook
• (11:43) 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.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains why low calcium after calving is not always a problem. She discusses transient hypocalcemia, dyscalcemia, feed intake, mammary calcium demand, and why timing matters when deciding whether a fresh cow needs intervention. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Calcium regulation during the transition period requires distinguishing temporary physiological adaptation from prolonged disruption that affects health and productivity outcomes."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Hernandez is Professor of Lactation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on mammary gland biology, calcium homeostasis, and the transition from pregnancy to lactation in dairy cattle. Learn more from Dr. Laura Hernandez on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (01:51) Calcium patterns
• (04:37) Cow classifications
• (05:46) Mammary demand
• (06:42) Diagnostic markers
• (08:15) Feed intake
• (10:15) 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.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Walker, Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, explains why dairy welfare decisions need to account for more than visible production metrics. She discusses hidden costs, farmer learning networks, cow thriving, caregiver wellbeing, and the importance of keeping cows at the center of herd management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Managing cows as slots removes cow welfare from decisions that should focus on comfort, health, and daily care."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Walker is Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, where she works to improve dairy cattle welfare through education, practical partnerships, and industry collaboration. With experience in veterinary medicine, dairy stewardship, milk quality, and food safety, her work focuses on balancing cow care with sustainable dairy production. Listen to Dr. Jennifer Walker on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:47) Introduction
• (03:02) Welfare investment
• (04:23) Farmer networks
• (06:37) Thriving concept
• (08:13) Cow focus
• (11:08) Caregiver wellbeing
• (14:59) 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.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ermias Kebreab, Professor at the University of California, Davis, explains science based strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy systems. He discusses feed additives, genetic selection, and productivity improvements, while addressing common misconceptions about livestock emissions and environmental impact. Practical insights highlight both short and long term solutions for sustainable dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Genetic selection offers cumulative benefits by producing animals that naturally emit less methane without requiring continuous intervention or daily management adjustments in production systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ermias Kebreab is Professor and Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Animal Agriculture at the University of California, Davis, and Associate Dean for Global Engagement. His work focuses on methane mitigation, nutrition modeling, and climate smart livestock systems, supporting global dairy sustainability and productivity. Learn more about methane mitigation strategies with Dr. Ermias Kebreab on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (02:05) Methane mitigation strategies
• (03:01) Feed additives
• (05:37) Long-term data
• (07:37) Genetic selection
• (11:07) Misconceptions
• (13:33) Closing thoughts

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* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, celebrating World Milk Day, Dr. Jennifer Walker from Kinder Ground, discusses the connection between milk quality, animal welfare, and long-term herd health. She explains how management decisions involving milking routines, efficiency, and cow handling can influence dairy sustainability, resilience, and consumer trust. Learn why balancing welfare and productivity matters for the future of dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Everything we do on a dairy farm is related to milk quality because animal welfare, food safety, and operational decisions are all connected."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Walker is Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, where she works to improve dairy cattle welfare through education, practical partnerships, and industry collaboration. With experience in veterinary medicine, dairy stewardship, milk quality, and food safety, her work focuses on balancing cow care with sustainable dairy production. Listen to Dr. Jennifer Walker on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:03) Introduction
• (02:21) Welfare challenges
• (03:20) Profit balance
• (05:19) Milking insights
• (06:43) Forestripping impact
• (09:41) Farmer motivation
• (13:08) Closing thoughts

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Joshua Brooke from inBarn Solutions explains how automated barn management systems can improve cow comfort, reduce heat stress, and lower water and energy usage in dairy operations. He discusses AI-powered monitoring, smart soaking systems, fan efficiency, and practical strategies that support sustainability and stronger dairy profitability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"It’s about sustainability and helping the bottom line through lower energy usage, reduced water consumption, and better operational decisions across dairy barn management systems."

Meet the guest: Joshua Brooke is the North American Sales Manager at inBarn Solutions, where he leads efforts helping dairies improve cow comfort, welfare, production, and operational efficiency. With experience in dairy equipment, barn systems, and automated management technologies, Joshua focuses on practical solutions that support sustainability and stronger dairy performance. Listen to Joshua Brooke on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms!

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:25) Introduction
• (02:47) Cow comfort insights
• (04:55) Water saving systems
• (07:02) AI barn monitoring
• (09:25) Sustainability benefits
• (10:29) Energy efficiency
• (11:32) Closing thoughts

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

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jackson Seminara, Cornell University veterinary medicine student with doctoral training in epidemiology, explains why dyscalcemia can signal transition cow stress. He connects calcium recovery, inflammation, feed intake, immune pressure, and rumination patterns to show how fresh cow monitoring can identify cows needing closer attention after calving. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research article!

"Dyscalcemia is a really good indicator that things are going badly for a cow during the transition period."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jackson Seminara is a veterinary student at Cornell University, where he also completed his PhD in Epidemiology through a combined DVM PhD program. His work focuses on dairy cow health during the transition period, especially calcium dynamics and inflammation. His research aims to improve understanding of metabolic adaptation in dairy systems. Listen to Dr. Jackson Seminara on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:14) Introduction
• (02:20) Transition challenges
• (03:43) Dyscalcemia definition
• (06:30) Inflammation link
• (08:44) Recovery patterns
• (10:00) Identifying signs
• (12:27) Closing thoughts

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

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jody Kull, Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State University, explains how dairy farms can use protocols, employee training, and the FARM program as a practical tool for risk abatement. She discusses calf care, transition cow management, team communication, and the value of keeping protocols up to date. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Protocols need to become fluid documents that are constantly monitored and adjusted with real farm observations.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Jody Kull is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State University. She is a veterinarian and owner of Valley Veterinary & Consulting LLC, with experience in dairy practice, producer education, rural medicine, and community outreach. Learn more from Dr. Jody Kull on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:18) Introduction
• (02:25) FARM program
• (03:41) Calf care consistency
• (04:51) Protocols importance
• (06:08) Writing protocols
• (07:58) Team communication
• (09:41) Closing thoughts

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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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.

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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

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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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. 

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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:

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

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LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast