In this episode, Dr. Doug Waterman from Virtus Nutrition explains how management and nutritional strategies influence uterine involution and overall reproductive success in dairy cows. He discusses key factors like inflammation control, calving management, and omega-3 supplementation to improve cow health and future productivity. With today’s high value on herd replacements and beef-on-dairy calves, every pregnancy matters more than ever—making proactive transition cow management essential.

This episode is sponsored by Virtus Nutrition.

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, Gail Carpenter, who is an assistant professor and state dairy specialist at Iowa State University, and host Kimmi Devaney discuss a variety of topics ranging from dairy nutrition, reproduction, silage management and advice for dairy youth.

Visit the Iowa State Extension Dairy Team website for resources.

Here is an episode overview:

1. [~0:55] Meet Gail Carpenter
2. [~2:45] “You can’t outfeed bad management” and back to basics on stocking density, cow comfort, water trough management and more
3. [~10:30] Research: the impact of molasses supplementation on sorting with transition cows
4. [~13:45] Strategies to improve fiber digestion
5. [~15:05] Silage: disease pressure and silage inventory
6. [~17:35] Considerations for silage season
7. [~19:30] Planning for the 2026 silage season
8. [~20:35] Heifer performance strategies
9. [~24:20] Tips to reduce involuntary culling
10. [~28:00] Top challenges Carpenter is hearing from producers
11. [~31:50] Greatest opportunities for dairy producers right now
12. [~36:35] What Carpenter is most excited about with the next generation of the dairy industry
13. [~39:15] The collegiate dairy activities that had the greatest impact on her and set her up for success in her career
14. [~34:10] Carpenter’s advice for students and young people interested in a dairy career
15. [~50:55] Rapid-fire questions

CEO Jim VanderGiessen, Jr. shares how cooling milk became a career and how dairy farmers are using PROChillers to instantly cool milk and heat water to 180°F.

This episode is sponsored by Pro Refrigeration.