Dairy Science Digest - a podcast developed to share the MOST current research published in the Journal of Dairy science. Hear directly from the research authors on how their results can impact your herd’s profitability. Science you can base your management decisions around.
Designed to rarely exceed 30 minutes, this podcast provides ONLY the ”need to know” info for dairy producers.
Keywords: dairy, science, reproduction, production, extension, cattle, MIZZOU, MU, Dairy Team, #2xAg2030
DSD 7.9 | Social housed calves build resilience seen as results in during lactation
It’s well accepted that management decisions during the first few weeks of life, can impact the long-term trajectory of success. Easy examples of this fact are colostrum management, plane of nutrition and vaccinations just to name a few. One can typically expect an increase in average daily gain, will return in the bulk tank 2 years later.
Research on social housing over the years has shown an increased rate of gain during the milk phase, but hasn’t captured the implications later in life.
First calf heifers transitioning into the milk string tend to be skittish, reluctant to enter the feed alley and fight with the boss cow. Through this transition, her size matters but also her ability to remain resilient in consistently tolerating the social attributes of the milk string.
Dr. Emily Miller-Cushon, and her team of researchers from the University of FL in Gainesville really wanted to measure the impact of housing type on long-term effects, therefore they made the investment to compare individual, paired or group housing to determine if one housing type would dramatically impact her first lactation success.
Listen in today to learn how social housing could improve your profits through increased survival and milk yields through social resilience.
Topics of discussion
1:49 Introduction of Dr. Emily Miller-Cushon2:47 Background overview of social housing4:52 Project objectives and study design; individual, paired or group housed calves 6:04 What’s the best way to begin implementing paired housing on farm? 8:26 Managing the first two weeks of life for large groups9:30 What’s the ideal age range in paired and groups. 10:24 Diets fed 11:48 Breeding aged culling rate12:41 Cull risk timing (Figure 1)14:01 ADG did not explain the milk yield change (Figure 4) 18:43 Cross sucking and mammary health 22:11 Longterm effects of paired housing, survival through lactation (Figure 2)24:15 Milk production, first 5 weeks (Figure 3)26:42 Disproportionately culled high producing, individually housed animals 28:04 What do you want boots on the ground dairymen to know from your research? Featured Article:
Long-term effects of dairy calf social housing on first lactation survival and milk yield
#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #groupedhousing; #pairedhousing; #dairy; #calf; #ADG; #survival; #resilence; #firstlactation; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
18 Aug 2026
DSD 7.8 | Where the magic happens – Fueling dairy cows
Much research has focused around the transition period. Recent findings suggest feeding oleic and palmitic fatty acids could aid in improving the energy balance of the cow, but why? Dr. Andres Contreras and his team of researchers conducted benchtop science, studying fat tissue to best understand the mode of action documented in this month’s featured article.
The mitochondria is the powerhouse organelle in the cell which determines the energy status for the cow. If running efficiently, this ‘cellular engine’ will generate a substantial amount of energy, or ATP. However, when operating inefficiently, due likely to damage from oxidative stress, the organelle will generate less energy, resulting in the cow mobilizing more fat stores to fuel milk production.
We all know, if the negative energy balance “spiral” begins – the cow is going to struggle through the transition period which has lasting implications on the entire lactation. Listen in today to learn about how energy production in early lactation could be impacted by your feeding program.
Topics of discussion
1:45 Introduction of Dr. Andres Contreras3:00 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project 4:49 Mitochondrial activity 6:04 Objective of the study, what happens to mitochondria when challenged and when subject to oxidative stress.
6:55 Two possible paths for the mitochondria in the first week of lactation. 8:04 When cows start to mobilize fats – mitochondria dysfunction begins 9:37 Excessive Lipolysis results in inflammation response 10:15 Treatment design11:04 How did you test the effect of Oleic and Palmitic Fatty acids on the mitochondria? 11:47 Impact of Oleic Acid on mitochondria function 12:50 Increased respiration rates of the mitochondria, and why that matters. 14:08 ATP increase - The importance of the first 3 days in milk15:53 How does FA concentrations impact the Redox reaction (Antioxidants : Oxidants)18:10 If you have a cohort of over conditioned cows, would OA and PA help? Why? 20:43 Day 3 NEFA impact on first service conception rate
Featured Article:
Oleic Acid Supports Mitochondrial Function During Lipolytic and Pro-Oxidant Challenges in Bovine Adipocytes
Day 3 NEFA article: Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and glucose in blood of periparturient dairy cows are indicative of pregnancy success at first insemination
#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #oleic; #transitiondairy; #mitochondria; #ATP; #liposis; #NEFA; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
18 Jul 2026
DSD 7.7 | Manipulating absorption of colostrum
Arguably the most important first step in the life of any calf is successful establishment of passive immunity through colostrum management. This key touchpoint ensures easy newborn calf management for weeks in the future and improved pay price for your bull calves.
Colostrum replacers occasionally need fed, for a variety of reasons. Understanding the key details of absorption, allows colostrum replacer manufacturers to optimize their product and therefore your success.
How does dilution impact the absorption of the colostrum replacer, based on the rate of abomasal emptying? Does this impact the calf’s IgG absorption and ultimately success of passive transfer? Listen in to Dr. Alberto Lopez has he describes the results of his recently released research and observations from the field.
Topics of discussion
1:43 Introduction of Dr. Alberto Lopez 2:39 Project design/treatments 3:08 150 IgG replacer used4:55 Different CR products on the market 5:23 Osmolarity in colostrum6:44 Maternal colostrum enhancement – impact on osmolarity 8:17 Path of colostrum once it leaves the tube 8:33 High osmolarity takes longer to feed, and digest9:58 Should producers measure osmolarity? 11:17 Measuring / tracking successful transfer of passive immunity (STPI)13:29 Calf buyer pay price 15:03 How did dilution impact IgG absorption16:06 IgG upper limit maxing out absorption 17:27 Abomasal emptying 22:23 No difference in IgG absorption in differing dilution27:35 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Article:
The effect of dilution of colostrum replacer on IgG absorption, abomasal emptying rate, and gastrointestinal permeability in newborn Holstein calves
#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #IgG; #colostrum; #colostrumreplacer; #colostrumenhancement; #calf; #STPI; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Who has been a guest on Dairy Science Digest
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Paul Fricke
Vanda Santos
Paulo Carvalho
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
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5.0 / 5
9 ratings
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