The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Rick Grant, Trustee of Miner Institute and the William H. Miner Foundation, discusses how cow behavior, nutrition, and management intersect to influence performance and well-being. He shares how two decades at Miner Institute reshaped his understanding of time budgets, stocking density, and feed access, revealing how these factors influence chewing behavior and rumen health. Learn what “feeding from the cow’s perspective” truly means for nutrition and productivity. Listen now on all major platforms!"If cows spend over 3.5 hours outside the pen, they sacrifice resting time, which directly reduces rumination and overall efficiency."Meet the guest: Dr. Rick Grant, Trustee of Miner Institute and the William H. Miner Foundation, was raised on a dairy farm in northern New York and earned his B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University and Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from Purdue University. His research focuses on forage quality, dairy cattle nutrition, and cow behavioral management. A pioneer in linking cow comfort with feeding efficiency, Dr. Grant’s insights help shape modern dairy management.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!Dr. Adrian Barragan: Managing Transition Period Inflammation | Ep. 106Dr. Chris Chase: Gut Health’s Impact on Cattle | Ep. 114What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:33) Introduction(07:11) Behavior and nutrition(09:27) Miner Institute overview(12:42) Time budgets(19:03) Cow comfort insights(26:52) Management takeaways(28:11) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- Natural Biologics* Jones-Hamilton Co.* Evonik* Adisseo* Priority IAC* Lallemand* Afimilk* Agri-Comfort* CowManager- AHV- dsm-firmenich- SmaXtec- Protekta- DietForge- Berg + Schmidt- BoviSync𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Dairy Podcast ShowInstagram: The Dairy Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Jim Salfer, Regional Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota, explores the world of robotic milking systems. From barn design that supports cow flow to strategies for maximizing milk per robot and improving labor efficiency, Jim discusses the economic and practical considerations of implementing this technology. Whether you're managing robots or considering the transition, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss it—listen now on all major platforms!"Robots started as a lifestyle choice, but now we’re maximizing efficiency and milk per robot."Meet the guest: Jim Salfer, Regional Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota, has served the dairy industry for 30 years. With a BS in Animal Science from South Dakota State University and a Master’s in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota, Jim has pioneered research and outreach in dairy management and technology.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:51) Introduction(06:35) Dairy extension changes over time(08:15) Evolution of robotic milking(16:45) Guided vs. free-flow barns(20:13) Milk per cow vs. robot(30:33) Addressing common challenges(36:05) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Afimilk* Jones-Hamilton Co.* Evonik* Adisseo* Priority IAC* Lallemand- DietForge- Berg + Schmidt- Natural Biologics- AHV- BoviSync- dsm-firmenich- SmaXtec- Protekta𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Dairy Podcast ShowInstagram: The Dairy Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Steve Martin from DNMCmilk discusses the evolution and optimization of distillers grains in dairy cow diets. Drawing from decades of experience, he explains the nutritional and economic factors driving ingredient selection, the balance of fatty and amino acids, and strategies for feed cost efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!"Understanding how distillers grains are produced is essential because each processing pathway creates a different nutritional profile for dairy cattle diets."Meet the guest: Steve Martin earned his B.S. in Animal and Dairy Science from Auburn University and his M.S. in Animal Nutrition from Texas A&M University. With more than 30 years in the industry, he has served as a dairy nutritionist, consultant, and founder of DNMCmilk, providing expertise in feed formulation, milk economics, and heifer nutrition. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:40) Introduction(07:55) History of distillers grains(11:10) Feeding management rules(16:10) Fat and protein balance(21:25) Diet optimization(26:40) Dairy risk and innovation(29:20) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Lallemand* Adisseo* Afimilk* Evonik* Priority IAC- Protekta- AHV- Natural Biologics- Berg + Schmidt- SmaXtec- dsm-firmenich- ICC𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Dairy Podcast ShowInstagram: The Dairy Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Miel Hostens from Cornell University shares how data integration and AI are reshaping dairy herd management. He discusses key challenges in data systems, explains the role of sensors and cloud tools in farm-level decisions, and highlights how smarter data handling leads to more sustainable dairy production. Learn how digital tools are powering the future of dairy analytics. Listen now on all major platforms!"Everyday decision-making should be somehow driven by data to make sure choices are grounded in measurable insights and not assumptions."Meet the guest: Dr. Miel Hostens received his MSc and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from Ghent University. He is the Robert and Anne Everett Associate Professor of Digital Dairy Management and Data Analytics at Cornell University, Dr. Hostens leads a lab focused on precision dairy science and sustainable food systems.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:10) Introduction(09:06) Data integration challenges(12:48) Herd-level analytics(14:40) Sensor-based monitoring(16:20) AI and language models(24:20) Behavior and milk yield(35:37) Final questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Priority IAC* Lallemand* Adisseo* Afimilk* Evonik- dsm-firmenich- ICC- Protekta- AHV- Natural Biologics- Berg + Schmidt- SmaXtec𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Dairy Podcast ShowInstagram: The Dairy Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin-Madison shares groundbreaking insights on calcium regulation in dairy cows. She explains how serotonin, phosphorus, and prepartum management influence hypocalcemia outcomes and overall herd health. Listen now on all major platforms!"Serotonin moves calcium into the mammary gland through transporters to stimulate a hormonal signal that mobilizes calcium from the bone."Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Hernandez is a Professor of Lactation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and Animal Science from the University of Arizona, following her M.S. and B.S. at New Mexico State University. Her research focuses on hormonal and metabolic pathways that regulate calcium homeostasis and mammary function in dairy cows.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:33) Introduction(02:19) Research on calcium(04:15) Serotonin’s calcium link(06:03) Hormonal regulation explained(14:33) Types of hypocalcemia(26:03) Future research areas(30:37) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:Volac* Priority IAC* Lallemand* Adisseo* Afimilk* Evonik- Berg + Schmidt- SmaXtec- dsm-firmenich- ICC- Protekta- AHV- Natural Biologics𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Dairy Podcast ShowInstagram: The Dairy Podcast ShowLinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show