The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Sonia Rodríguez, Ruminant Technical Innovation Manager at Vetagro, explains how rumen protected organic acids and botanicals support intestinal health in lactating cows. She discusses micro encapsulation technology, heat stress mitigation, inflammation control, and performance outcomes. Learn how improving gut integrity can enhance milk production and farm profitability. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Rumen protected combinations of organic acids and pure botanicals can synergistically reduce undesired bacterial load while supporting intestinal barrier integrity under normal and stressful conditions.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Sonia Rodríguez received her DVM from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, her Master’s in Dairy Science from South Dakota State University, and her PhD in Animal Science from Iowa State University under Dr. Lance Baumgard. Her research focuses on immune activation, heat stress, metabolism, and gastrointestinal health in ruminants. She currently serves as Ruminant Technical Innovation Manager at Vetagro.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:48) Introduction
(03:27) Rumen protected organics
(04:42) Micro encapsulation process
(06:11) Heat stress effects
(06:55) Research results
(08:03) Economic benefits
(08:57) Final Questions

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

* Vetagro

* Barentz
* Fortiva
* Adisseo
* Kemin
- Virtus Nutrition
- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, celebrating International Women’s Day, Dr. Megan Abeyta from GPS Dairy Consulting breaks down the physiological and metabolic costs of stress, inflammation, and leaky gut in dairy cattle. She explains how heat stress, acidosis, and management practices influence immune activation and productivity losses. Learn how to use practical indicators like rumination data to identify and reduce risk on-farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Leaky gut occurs when the gut lining is compromised, allowing harmful substances like endotoxins into the bloodstream."

Meet the guest: Dr. Megan Abeyta earned her bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Iowa State University, focusing her doctoral research on the impact of stress, hindgut acidosis, and leaky gut on dairy cow health and productivity. Now an Independent Dairy Nutrition and Management Consultant with GPS Dairy Consulting, she brings a science-based, practical approach to farm management.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:21) Introduction
(02:32) Leaky gut causes
(03:47) Inflammation and energy
(06:01) Biomarker indicators
(08:38) Identifying farm stressors
(10:04) Diet-energy balance
(12:10) Closing thoughts

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

* Vetagro
* Barentz
* Fortiva
* Adisseo
* Kemin

- 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. Mike VandeHaar from Michigan State University discusses his recent studies on short-stature corn hybrids and their impact on dairy cow performance. He breaks down how these hybrids perform in yield, fiber digestibility, and milk production, and what that could mean for on-farm feed efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The short corn varieties showed better fiber digestibility than the tall hybrid we tested."

Meet the guest: Dr. Mike VandeHaar is a Professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University, where he’s been teaching and conducting research in dairy cattle nutrition and feed efficiency since 1988. He earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science from Iowa State University. His work focuses on improving dairy production efficiency through nutrition and genetics. 

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:42) Introduction
(02:47) Short corn variety research
(04:51) Fiber digestibility results
(07:10) Energy-corrected milk yield
(08:56) Hybrid yield comparisons
(11:07) Practical recommendations
(12:20) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva
* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Barentz
* Vetagro

- 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. Marcos Marcondes from the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute discusses key insights into calf and heifer nutrition. He shares findings on feed intake modeling, pre- and post-weaning transitions, and how feeding strategies influence mammary gland development and long-term milk yield. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Pushing heifers to calve too early reduces milk production, even when body weight is adequate; mammary development needs time."

Meet the guest: Dr. Marcos Marcondes is a Dairy Research Scientist at the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Florida. His work focuses on feed evaluation, nutrient requirements, and methane mitigation in dairy cattle. 

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:33) Introduction
(03:09) Model accuracy
(05:26) Starter intake bias
(07:28) Feeding strategies
(10:48) Mammary gland growth
(12:33) Weaning transition
(16:09) Closing thoughts

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

* Vetagro
* Fortiva
* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Barentz

- Virtus Nutrition
- DietForge

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. Dwain Bunting, Technical Service Dairy Nutritionist at Barentz Animal Nutrition, explains how DCAD products can influence palatability and short-term feed intake in dairy cows. He shares insights from controlled research evaluating cow behavior, intake patterns, and product formulation strategies. Dr. Bunting highlights practical implications for formulation decisions and field expectations. Get a technical perspective that supports better nutritional outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!

“DCAD products allow chlorides to be incorporated into a feed matrix in a way that supports palatability and consistent intake.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Dwain Bunting is a ruminant nutritionist with more than 27 years of industry and academic experience across dairy and beef systems. He holds a PhD in Nutrition and Biochemistry and has served in research, teaching, and global technical support roles. Currently a Technical Consultant at Barentz Animal Nutrition, his work focuses on applied dairy nutrition and formulation strategies. 

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:19) Introduction
(02:19) DCAD background
(04:43) Study design
(05:45) Feeding strategy
(07:13) Intake measurement
(07:53) Palatability outcomes
(09:24) Final Questions

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

* Barentz

* Vetagro
* Fortiva
* Kemin
* Adisseo
- Virtus Nutrition
- DietForge

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