The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this special rerun episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Alice Brandao from Texas A&M University examines how dairy nutrition can support cows facing metabolic and environmental stress. Drawing on research conducted in Brazil, she discusses insulin sensitivity, chromium supplementation, starch alternatives, immune-modulating additives, and the limits of translating controlled trials into commercial decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Feed additives can support the cow, but they cannot correct poor management."

Meet the guest: Dr. Alice Brandao is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. Trained as a veterinarian in Brazil, she earned a Master’s degree in Dairy Science and a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences. Her experience with transition-cow nutrition and metabolism now informs the physiology and rumen-function foundations she teaches to undergraduate students. Learn more from Dr. Alice Brandao on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:58) Introduction
(07:35) Insulin resistance factors
(09:40) Chromium supplementation effects
(10:33) Non-starch energy sources
(12:13) Immune modulation strategies
(14:40) Feed additive challenges
(17:33) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva
* Priority IAC
* Vetagro
* Adisseo
* Barentz
* Kemin

- DietForge
- Virtus Nutrition
- Esmilco Inc.

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Victoria Asselstine from Jefo Nutrition and Dr. Mélissa Duplessis, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discuss B-vitamin nutrition in modern dairy cows. They explain why older assumptions about rumen synthesis may not fully match today’s production demands, how transition cows rely on B vitamins for protein and energy metabolism, and why regional diet differences can influence folate and B12 status. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Dairy cows are now producing more milk, and their nutrient needs have increased accordingly, including B vitamins."

Meet the guests:
Dr. Victoria Asselstine earned her Ph.D. in Animal Genetics and Immunology from the University of Guelph and serves as Ruminant Technical Service Manager at Jefo Nutrition. She collaborates with industry and academic partners to evaluate nutritional strategies supporting transition cow health, calf development, productivity, and sustainability.
Dr. Mélissa Duplessis is a Research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Her research focuses on dairy cattle nutrition, ruminant metabolism, and animal physiology, including nutritional factors affecting dairy cow health, performance, and nutrient utilization.

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Dr. Victoria Asselstine and Dr. Lance Baumgard: B Vitamins in Transition Cow Nutrition | Ep. 154

What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:04) Introduction
(02:54) Modern B-vitamin needs
(06:23) Folate and B12 status
(08:54) B vitamins to watch
(09:44) Subclinical deficiency
(12:09) Formulating requirements
(14:08) Closing thoughts

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

Jefo

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, Brittany Herzfeldt, Microbiology Nutritionist/Consultant at Priority IAC, discusses forage quality through the lens of usable fiber, moisture, lignin, chop length, and rumen fermentation. She explains why early, wetter forage harvests can improve digestibility, how excess lactic acid can create acidosis pressure, and why targeted bacteria can help cows utilize highly available diets more effectively. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We want the most dense forages and grains. We do not want to fill the cow up with anything that she cannot use."

Meet the guest: Brittany Herzfeldt is a Microbiology Nutritionist and Consultant at Priority IAC, working with dairy producers across the United States. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls, she combines hands-on dairy experience with expertise in forage quality, rumen stability, feed efficiency, forage utilization, and microbiology-based nutrition strategies. Learn more from Brittany Herzfeldt on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(02:14) Introduction
(02:54) Usable fiber
(04:14) Forage moisture
(06:48) Harvest maturity
(07:44) Lignin and density
(08:44) Straw and acidosis
(11:53) Closing thoughts

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

* Priority IAC

* Vetagro
* Fortiva
* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Barentz
- DietForge
- Virtus Nutrition
- Esmilco Inc.

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, Bennet Crochet, owner of BC Dairy Consulting, discusses practical transition cow nutrition and management. Drawing on 28 years of consulting experience, he covers calcium status, anionic diets, urine pH monitoring, targeted feed additives, and metabolic markers while emphasizing cow comfort and farm-specific decisions. Learn how practical nutrition and thoughtful monitoring can support transition success. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Effective transition cow nutrition starts with a comfortable environment, allowing natural cow behavior while nutritional strategies complement the demands of high milk production."

Meet the guest: Bennet Crochet owns BC Dairy Consulting, a private consulting business serving dairy farms across the Upper Midwest and Northeast. He brings 28 years of dairy nutrition consulting experience across much of North America, helping producers apply research through practical, farm-specific nutrition and management decisions. Learn more from Bennet Crochet on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Dr. Frank Delfino: Potassium Strategies & Heat Stress | Ep. 132
Dr. Dwain Bunting: Summer Humidity and Mineral Stability | Ep. 142

What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:52) Introduction
(02:31) Transition philosophy
(03:39) Feeding evolution
(07:45) Farm variability
(10:30) Targeted additives
(12:42) BHB thresholds
(16:20) Closing thoughts

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

* Barentz

* Priority IAC
* Vetagro
* Fortiva
* Kemin
* Adisseo
- Esmilco Inc.
- DietForge
- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
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Every productive dairy starts with the decisions farmers make each day. As we celebrate National Farmers Day this month, The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast welcomes Dr. Jorge Barrientos Blanco, Dairy Nutritionist at Progressive Dairy Solutions, to explain how feeding accuracy, forage sampling, mixer performance, feed delivery, and cow grouping help match nutrient supply with cow requirements. Celebrate the work behind efficient, sustainable, and profitable dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research articles:
Improving nutritional accuracy and economics through a multiple ration-grouping strategy
Partitioning of nutrient variation in alfalfa and corn silage by source on New York dairy farms
Farm-specific estimates of forage variability result in larger optimal control limits for forage quality monitoring

“Greater feeding accuracy improves dairy efficiency, supports economic and environmental sustainability, and strengthens profitability by reducing differences between nutrient requirements and actual nutrient supply.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Jorge Barrientos Blanco is a Dairy Nutritionist and Nutrition Consultant at Progressive Dairy Solutions, Inc. He earned a PhD in Dairy Science from Cornell University and a master’s degree in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Learn more from Dr. Jorge Barrientos Blanco on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Dr. Eduardo Rico: Omega-3 & Inflammation Control | Ep. 128
Dr. Mike Van Amburgh: What is Limiting Milk Components? | Ep. 147

What will you learn: 
(00:00) Highlight
(01:56) Introduction
(03:13) Feeding accuracy and precision
(06:00) Forage variability
(08:15) Sampling frequency
(10:31) Mixer loading and delivery
(15:11) Accuracy priorities
(16:15) Closing thoughts

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

- Virtus Nutrition

* Fortiva
* Barentz
* Kemin
* Adisseo
* Priority IAC
* Vetagro
- Esmilco Inc.
- 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
Facebook: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
TikTok: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast