Podcast
Real Science Exchange-Dairy
Hosted by Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health · EN
Balchem Real Science Exchange isn’t just any old boring podcast. You’ll get to know top researchers like you’ve never known them before. Go behind the scenes and hear the conversations that take place over a few drinks with friends. Join us as we discuss the hot topics in animal science and share a range of new ideas.
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Episodes
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Dairy Cow Personality Traits: A New Frontier for Precision Feeding Management with Dr. Anna Schwanke, University of Guelph and Bill Earley, ADM Animal Nutrition
Oct 1400:40:18Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Schwanke begins by describing how we can shape cattle personalities through handling and management and adapting our strategies to accommodate different personality traits so as to not cause undue stress. Personality traits are consistent across time and context, which is nuanced by the other animals in a particular group. There are five generally recognized personality traits: boldness, exploration, activity, sociability and aggressiveness. Some debate exists as to whether dominance should be considered a sixth trait or if it’s just an outcome of the other five. (5:43)Dr. Schwanke’s research focused mainly on how cows react to specific stressors, such as adapting to an automated milking system. In a robotic system, cows who are more independent, explorative and bold are more likely to do well. Some diversity is good because it can help to minimize long-term antagonistic interactions in a group. If we have cows that are very similar to each other, it will take longer for them to establish a social hierarchy. (10:05)The panel discusses where the research is in regard to on-farm applicability and potential genetic components of personality traits. In the future, Dr. Schwanke envisions automated assessments of cow personality through computer vision cameras in the barn, fed into an algorithm that creates a personality ranking of cows based on their behaviors. She also notes personality traits can help predict a cow’s coping style: proactive, reactive and intermediate. Proactive cows are more bold, explorative and aggressive. They thrive in predictable, stable conditions. Reactive cows are more fearful, less active and less dominant. They typically do better than proactive cows in unpredictable or changing environments because they’re better able to modify their behavior to the environment they find themselves in. (14:09)The panel talks about future research goals in this area, including transition to automated milking systems, modifying feed management for behavioral and nutritional requirements and impacts of commingling stress. The guests also explore behavioral research in calves and brainstorm about future research with this age group, as well as talk about potential implications of making the wrong selection decisions for personality traits. (20:08)Are there things dairy producers could do to condition calves to be more adaptable to an automated milking system later in life? If a calf is reared in an automated feeding system, do they adapt to an automated milking system more easily? We don’t have the research yet to answer these questions, but they’re great questions. The panel also talks about how to scale up personality trait information to large herds, how precision feeding systems and personality traits might interact and how machine learning and computer vision technology can automate personality trait assessments. (28:46)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (35:02)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →To 7 Lb. and Beyond - Maximizing Milk Components for Profitability with Guests: Dr. Mike Hutjens, Emeritus, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Tate Nelson, Edge Dairy Consulting
Oct 700:44:26Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Reno, Nevada, during the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference.Dr. Hutjens’ presentation focused on herds producing seven pounds of milk fat and milk protein per cow per day, and the genetics, on-farm management and nutrition to make that happen. The panel discusses where components could top out, how added dietary fat has influenced components and the importance of high quality forage to de novo fat synthesis. (4:09)The panel explores how well nutritionists are keeping up with rapid genetic change in milk component production and how farmers respond to recommendations for things like rumen-protected fatty acids and supplemental fat. Dr. Nelson shares some of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the California dairy producers he works with. (11:56)Dr. Hutjens gives some benchmark values for energy and protein efficiency. The panel debates the merit of energy-corrected milk per stall as an efficiency measure, with the consensus being it might lead to crowding, which would then probably decrease milk and component production due to decreasing cow comfort. The group also discusses selecting for feed efficiency and the heritability of feed efficiency. (16:33)The panel dives into the topic of feed ingredients. High-oleic soybeans and high quality forages are a focus in some parts of the country. Dr. Nelson discusses non-forage fiber sources available in the California market, such as citrus, plums, apples and carrots. The group talks more about how high-sugar byproducts influence rumen fermentation, which is different from starch, as well as benefits in palatability, digestibility and intake. (21:03)Dr. Hutjens talks about benchmarks for milk components and different strategies for increasing component production. Rumen-protected amino acids, purchased fats, roasted high-oleic soybeans and urea are discussed. The group also talks about what might happen if milk processors start asking for less milk fat, for example. Dr. Hutjens talks about how nutritionists can help balance rations to yield different results for different markets. (33:04)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (40:33)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Practical Steps to Improve Diet Digestibility with guests: Dr. Jeff Firkins, The Ohio State University; Dr. Bill Weiss, Emeritus, The Ohio State University; Dr. Kirby Krogstad, The Ohio State University
Sep 3000:47:05Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Firkins’ presentation covers key aspects of how to improve digestibility of different diet components: fiber, starch, fat and total diet. (4:31)The negative relationship between starch in the diet and fiber digestion has been well known for more than 50 years. A recent meta-analysis showed the depression in fiber digestibility starts at very low starch concentrations. Dr. Weiss points out this can’t be due to low rumen pH at that starch level. Dr. Firkins agrees pH is probably only about half of the relationship and the other half is factors called the carbohydrate effect. He goes on to say adequate ammonia and amino acids are necessary for the fibrolytic bacteria in the rumen to maximize fiber digestibility, and urea alone is not adequate. The panel agrees there is little knowledge about what exactly the amino acid requirements of fibrolytic bacteria are or should be. (6:05)Dr. Firkins shares some of his findings regarding how sugars impact fiber digestibility. Dr. Krogstad notes grain particle size can have key impacts on fiber digestibility and the panel discusses some of the challenges in nailing down optimal particle size. (13:39)Dr. Weiss indicates diets should be formulated for rumen degradable starch - but how do we get that number? Dr. Firkins explains some of the difficulty in making accurate, cohesive predictions. The panel discusses some field measures that may be helpful. (18:24)Ruminants have lower fat digestibility than monogastrics. The panel explores biological factors that might be limiting fat digestibility. Dr. Firkins believes palmitic and oleic acids probably help the microbes and that is why we see improved diet digestibility when those fatty acids are supplemented. He encourages further exploration into the reason behind this and the mechanism by which it occurs. Dr. Krogstad mentions a Utah State study that also saw improved diet digestibility and also evaluated microbial fractions and phospholipids. (22:44)The panel explores the relationship between rumen-degradable protein and fiber digestibility. What happens when RDP is too high or too low? What is the optimal level of RDP to maximize digestibility? How does the composition of the base diet influence how much RDP you might need? What role do peptides play in the rumen? (29:00)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (41:52)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Impacts of Skeletal Muscle Depletion and Accretion Across Lactation with guests Dr. Jackie Boerman, Purdue University; Dr. Bill Weiss, Emeritus The Ohio State University; Dr. Jim Aldrich, CSA Animal Nutrition
Sep 2300:39:30Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Boerman notes we know cows experience a negative metabolizable protein balance in early lactation, which means they’re mobilizing skeletal muscle to make up for that. Dr. Boerman and her group have been interested in strategies to measure how much muscle they’re mobilizing, when they’re losing it and when they gain it back. (3:51)Cows are ultrasounded during the dry period to determine longissimus dorsi muscle reserves, then divided into low vs high muscle groups. Weekly ultrasounds follow them through lactation. Animals with high muscle reserves during the dry period mobilized muscle before calving, which resulted in increased calf birth weights. Animals with less muscle during the dry period can gain muscle during that time and have more muscle reserves at calving than they had in the middle of the dry period. Dr. Boerman discusses possible nutrition interventions to manage muscle depletion and accretion, as well as timing of muscle loss and gain. (5:14)The panel discusses how cows were assigned to high- and low-muscle groups and how representative those groups might be to the general population of dairy cows. Dr. Boerman mentions they’ve recently started evaluating primiparous cows as well to see if they perform differently than multiparous cows. (10:33)Dr. Boerman notes that cows are mobilizing between 30 and 35% of their longissimus dorsi depth during lactation and muscle biopsies have shown a reduction in muscle fiber size. They also measure 3-methyl histidine and creatinine as biomarkers of muscle loss and gain. The panel discusses increased calf birth weights and impacts on colostrum for high-muscle groups. Body condition score is not a good predictor of muscle depth. (16:52)The group discusses how parity might impact protein loss and gain, the influence of genetics on these muscle measurements, how health events might affect muscle mobilization and what kind of hormonal regulation might be occurring to control muscle losses and gains. (23:41)Dr. Weiss shares about a project from his group where muscle and fat losses were measured by dilution. They fed 20% protein diets using soy alone or with supplementation of rumen-protected amino acids. He emphasized the differences between heifers and cows, similar to what Dr. Boerman’s group has observed as well. (29:54)Dr. Boerman shares some ideas of what kind of experiments she’d like to conduct next to continue this line of research. (33:42)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (35:29)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Special Episode from ADSA 2025 Bourbon and Brainiacs #3. Conversations with Friends
Sep 1800:33:19Tap to summarizeBalchem’s Bourbon & Brainiacs event took place at the Frazier History Museum during the 2025 ADSA annual meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. After introductions, Dr. Lucy shares about the ADSA monthly podcast, Dairy Digressions, which he hosts. He discusses listener demographics, the diverse paths to becoming a dairy scientist and inspiring young people to pursue a career in dairy science. The panel goes on to discuss the camaraderie and friendships developed and nurtured at ADSA meetings. (2:44)Dr. Kononoff asks the panel their thoughts on how to protect students, given the current and potential future funding concerns for science. Dr. Lucy notes he believes science will prevail. Dr. St-Pierre comments we have portrayed science as infallible, when it’s really self-correcting, and the machine of a university is faculty and students. Dr. Kononoff, originally from Canada, discusses the uniqueness of the land-grant system in the US. (8:31)Dr. Lucy shares some of his favorite parts of being an ADSA member. (17:44)Dr. Williamson, a neuroscientist, suggests the dairy industry could learn from human behaviorists regarding marketing their products. Dr. Ordway agrees, as someone who did not grow up in the agriculture industry. (20:42)Dr. St-Pierre talks about presenting at his very first ADSA meeting when he was still learning to speak English. He goes on to discuss how meetings and students have evolved over the years. (23:03)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Feeding Management of Heifers with guests Dr. Gail Carpenter, Iowa State University; Dr. BIll Weiss, The Ohio State University Emeritus; Dr. Alex Tebbe, Purina Animal Nutrition and Co-Host Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State University
Sep 1600:34:46Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Carpenter gives an overview of her presentation. She summarizes an Extension risk management project regarding heifer development, assisting dairies in benchmarking their heifer growth and development. Key focus points include reducing morbidity and mortality and timely breeding to achieve goals for age at first calving. Dr. Carpenter also emphasized heat detection and conception, as well as recordkeeping as important considerations for success. (4:10)Dr. Carpenter shares findings from a beef-on-dairy feeding experiment where any calf that had two or more lifetime respiratory events had lower carcass weight and lower return on investment. The panel discusses industry uptake of using lung ultrasounds to evaluate respiratory events. (11:53)Guests talk about different feeding concepts in heifer development and trends in age at first calving over time. (14:31)The panel dives into home-raising versus custom-developing heifers. Dr. Carpenter notes Penn State has great resources regarding custom rearing of dairy heifers. Pros and cons of both systems are discussed, and the panel also touches on rearing of beef-on-dairy calves as well. (19:17)The group returns to the topic of age at first calving. Reducing variation at age at breeding is important, and producers should consult with their nutritionists and veterinarians for a team approach to success. (24:44)Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Tebbe talk about how producers are dealing with replacement heifer shortages. (27:24)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (31:48)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Bourbon and Brainiacs #2, Stories from ADSA 2025
Sep 1200:52:47Tap to summarizeGuests: Dr. José Santos, University of Florida; Dr. Jeff Firkins, The Ohio State University; Dr. Bill Weiss, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University; Dr. Jimena Laporta, University of Wisconsin; Dr. Jim Aldrich, CSA Animal Nutrition; Dr. Tom Overton, Cornell University; Dr. Mark Hanigan, Virginia Tech University; Martin Bengtsson, Balchem; Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State University; Dr. Turner Swartz, South Dakota State University; Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University; Dr. Goeff Dahl, University of FloridaBalchem’s Bourbon & Brainiacs event took place at the Frazier History Museum during the 2025 ADSA annual meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. This bonus episode features a rotating slate of guests throughout the entirety of the episode. The episode begins with guests talking about how many ADSA meetings they’ve attended and some of their favorite locations. Quebec City travel nightmares, side trips to the Grand Canyon, and university host sites with dorms featuring no air conditioning were highlighted. (0:08)The group talks about the impact scientific meetings have on graduate students and how important the social and networking aspects are in the development of students’ careers. (9:44)Formative moments in your career can be forged at ADSA meetings. Learning to step back and talk about the big picture of your work can be pivotal. Other panelists share their experiences in making the final decision on where to attend graduate school based on their experiences at ADSA meetings. (19:48)Martin Bengtsson, Balchem’s Executive Vice President, CFO and Animal Nutrition and Health General Manager joins the panel. He talks about his background and Balchem’s investment in animal nutrition research. He asks the panel what they’d like to see a company like Balchem do more of to have a bigger impact and be more helpful to the industry. (22:49)A new wave of guests arrive. Topics include coaching quiz bowl and dairy challenge teams, softball games, rooftop lawn bowling and how one can go from being an up-and-comer to being one of the big names at ADSA to being a retiree. (36:24)Panelists share some of the events at this year’s ADSA meeting they’re excited to attend, including a symposium about feed additives for methane inhibition in conjunction with the Journal of Dairy Science and an applied nutrition series geared toward field nutritionists. (42:06)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →What’s Different When Feeding and Managing Dairy Beef Crosses? Dr. Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University; Dr. BIll Weiss, Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University; Dr. Kirby Krogstad, Ohio State University
Sep 900:51:33Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 2025 Tri-State Dairy Conference.Dr. Jaborek gives an overview of his presentation including sire selection, how beef on dairy crosses compare, feedlot performance, liver abscesses and red meat yield. (6:21)Beef sire availability and quality have changed over time with the development of selection indexes and selection criteria. Calving ease, growth, ribeye area,and quality grade are important traits. (10:03)The panel discusses if milk replacer feeding protocols differ for beef on dairy calves. More research in this area is needed. The group then talks about liver abscesses, including etiology, prevalence, and animal welfare and performance impacts. Dr. Jaborek notes calves with liver abscesses gain about 0.2 pounds per day less, on average. The panel believes understanding the impacts of diet differences (beef calves vs. the dairy model) in early life on rumen development would be a fruitful area of research. (16:00)Dr. Jaborek talks about some of the differences in growth and performance among beef calves raised on their dam, beef embryos from Holstein recips raised in the dairy system, and beef-sired calves from Holstein and Jersey dams raised in the dairy system. The panel talks about why beef calves in the beef system are outperforming those raised in the dairy system, including milk composition differences between beef and dairy cows and milk quantity and availability. Free-choice robot milk replacer feeding systems might better mimic the beef system environment. (26:21)The panel then explores how beef on dairy calves are fed post-weaning. Dr. Jaborek notes they generally continue to be fed a high concentrate diet which may contribute to the liver abscess and digestive issues given the long timeframe of exposure to concentrates. The panel ponders if backgrounding calves on pasture for some length of time after weaning would be beneficial. The group also delves into how maintenance requirements might differ for beef on dairy crosses and if feedlot nutritionists are making adjustments for these calves. (30:45)Given the price of beef calves, would it be more profitable to put beef embryos into dairy cows instead of using beef semen to create a beef-dairy crossbred? Matt then asks if any dairy producers are retaining ownership of these calves past 1-3 days of age. The panel discusses risks and rewards of both questions. (34:29)The panel talks about corn processing and potential impacts on rumen health and liver abscesses. Dr. Jaborek cites a study where feeding more fiber in the form of corn silage did not increase cost of gain, but improved liver abscess reduction by 30 percentage points. (38:47)Dr. Jaborek talks about yield and quality differences in dairy-influenced carcasses and talks about his top priorities for research in the beef on dairy sector moving forward. (42:21)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (46:26)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Special episode from ADSA 2025 - Bourbon Tasting with Dr. José Santos, University of Florida; Dr. Jeff Firkins, Ohio State University; Dr. Bill Weiss, Emeritus, Ohio State University; Steve Yates, Frazier History Museum
Sep 400:21:48Tap to summarizeBalchem’s Bourbon & Brainiacs event took place at the Frazier History Museum during the 2025 ADSA annual meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. This bonus episode takes a deep dive into bourbon tasting!After introductions, Steve leads off in his role as the bourbon steward and describes the two bourbons and a rye whiskey for the tasting. (2:14)Steve gives some instructions on the best way to taste bourbon like an expert, including determining your dominant nostril, the “Kentucky Chew,” the “Kentucky Hug,” and moving from lowest to highest proof. (4:48)Steve leads the guests through tasting Buffalo Trace and Maker’s Mark 46 bourbons and Angel’s Envy rye whiskey. The panel discusses their impressions and talks about mash bills, crop variation and the health of the bourbon business. (7:00)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
Transcribe →Legacy Episode: Dr. Charlie Staples, University of Florida with Dr. Ric Grummer, University of Wisconsin; Dr. José Santos, University of Florida; Dr. Marcus Zenobi, Balchem
Sep 201:00:51Tap to summarizeIn the Real Science Exchange Legacy Series, we celebrate the pioneers who have shaped the dairy industry. In this episode, we honor Dr. Charlie Staples, a distinguished professor at the University of Florida, whose groundbreaking work in dairy nutrition and mentorship touched countless lives. From his 35 years of research mentoring 23 graduate students to earning the American Dairy Science Association's Fellow Award, Dr. Staple's legacy continues to inspire. Join us as we explore his contributions and enduring impact on our industry.Guests introduce themselves and how they knew Dr. Staples. (1:05)Dr. Grummer shares when he and Dr. Staples were applying and interviewing for university jobs in the same pool, and how they eventually landed jobs at universities where the other was not in the pool. (7:22)Drs. Santos, Grummer and Zenobi share about Dr. Staples’ early life, his undergraduate and graduate career, and his family and faith. (10:42)Dr. Staples took a sabbatical at the University of Wisconsin in Dr. Grummer’s lab. He shares a story about taking Charlie smelt fishing, where the tradition is the newbie has to bite the head off a smelt. (18:04)Dr. Zenobi and Dr. Santos talk about Dr. Staples as a teacher and mentor, giving examples of his caring nature and thorough teaching style. (22:30)Dr. Grummer and Dr. Santos give a broad overview of Dr. Staples’ research career, including pioneering work in nutrition-reproduction interactions, fat supplementation and the separation of the energy effect and the fatty acid effect on reproductive performance, heat stress and choline supplementation. All panelists emphasized the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of Dr. Staples’ work. (27:52)Dr. Grummer shares about the fatty acid research he and Dr. Staples collaborated on during Charlie’s sabbatical, as well as the choline research he worked on with Dr. Staples when Dr. Grummer worked for Balchem. The panelists talk about how Dr. Staples was not afraid to reach out to experts in other areas of expertise to ask questions and how thorough he was in literature searches. They talk about a symposium paper he presented summarizing 30-plus years of choline research. (36:12)The panelists talk more about the legacy Dr. Staples left behind - he was unassuming, humble, kind, collaborative and a man of principles. (44:14)Panelists share their take-home thoughts about Dr. Staples’ dedication to dairy science, mentorship and innovation. (54:51)The University of Florida established the Charles R. Staples Lecture Endowment to support the Charles R. Staples Lectureship Series. Each year, an invited speaker gives a seminar and meets with graduate students. If you'd like to support the endowment, you can do so by visiting the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences giving web page: https://give.ifas.ufl.edu/animal-sciences-giving/Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.
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