In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ronaldo Cerri from the University of British Columbia discusses the evolution of dairy cattle reproduction. Dr. Cerri explains why the industry is shifting from perfecting synchronization protocols to improving overall herd health, and how data analysis helps identify the real drivers of fertility on each farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Herd health affects fertility more than any single factor in the literature, making it central to reproductive progress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ronaldo Cerri is an Associate Professor in the Applied Biology program at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on fertility issues in dairy and beef cattle, sustainable reproductive technologies, and understanding interactions between inflammation, health disorders, the uterus, and the developing embryo. Learn more from Dr. Ronaldo Cerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:34) Introduction
• (02:29) Overlooked challenges
• (03:54) Health and fertility
• (06:12) Metabolic health
• (09:06) Reproductive management
• (12:14) Precision dairy
• (13:48) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

- The Owner's Box

- Elevate

- WiseVAs

- ZentrixOS

- Zentrix Insights

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

YouTube: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Facebook: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz, Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of Temuco in Chile, explains how seasonal calving creates pressure on pasture-based dairy systems. She discusses calf supervision, environmental stress, worker workload, colostrum hygiene, and how management routines protect newborn calves during high-risk calving windows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Seasonal calving pressure becomes risky when dairy systems lack the resources, protocols, and staff capacity to absorb it."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health at Catholic University of Temuco, in Chile. She earned her MSc and PhD in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and completed postdoctoral training at Michigan State University. Her work focuses on the health, welfare, care, behavior, and nutrition of dairy cows and pre-weaned calves in dairy systems. Learn more from Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:12) Introduction
• (02:10) Seasonal calving
• (04:38) Environmental pressure
• (06:05) Worker workload
• (07:42) Calf priorities
• (10:02) Colostrum management
• (13:45) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

YouTube: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Facebook: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Tiarna Scerri, PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, explains how antimicrobial resistance is changing mastitis treatment research. She discusses synthetic biology, farmer-centered product design, regulation, and why new therapies must be both effective and practical for dairy farms. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Alternative mastitis treatments need to be effective, sustainable, and practical enough for farmers to adopt from the start."

Meet the guest: Tiarna Scerri is a PhD candidate at the Gulbali Institute in Australia, developing alternative treatments for mastitis to address antimicrobial resistance in major mastitis-causing bacteria. She holds degrees in science and law, advocates for proactive regulation of agricultural biotechnology, and is part of the 2026 Groundbreakers Program, a cohort whose endeavors are supported by AgriFutures Australia. Learn more from Tiarna Scerri on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:28) Introduction
• (01:52) Ag law background
• (04:08) Resistance challenge
• (06:15) Synthetic biology
• (07:28) Farm practicality
• (10:28) Commercial outlook
• (11:43) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains why low calcium after calving is not always a problem. She discusses transient hypocalcemia, dyscalcemia, feed intake, mammary calcium demand, and why timing matters when deciding whether a fresh cow needs intervention. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Calcium regulation during the transition period requires distinguishing temporary physiological adaptation from prolonged disruption that affects health and productivity outcomes."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Hernandez is Professor of Lactation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on mammary gland biology, calcium homeostasis, and the transition from pregnancy to lactation in dairy cattle. Learn more from Dr. Laura Hernandez on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (01:51) Calcium patterns
• (04:37) Cow classifications
• (05:46) Mammary demand
• (06:42) Diagnostic markers
• (08:15) Feed intake
• (10:15) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Walker, Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, explains why dairy welfare decisions need to account for more than visible production metrics. She discusses hidden costs, farmer learning networks, cow thriving, caregiver wellbeing, and the importance of keeping cows at the center of herd management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Managing cows as slots removes cow welfare from decisions that should focus on comfort, health, and daily care."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Walker is Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, where she works to improve dairy cattle welfare through education, practical partnerships, and industry collaboration. With experience in veterinary medicine, dairy stewardship, milk quality, and food safety, her work focuses on balancing cow care with sustainable dairy production. Listen to Dr. Jennifer Walker on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:47) Introduction
• (03:02) Welfare investment
• (04:23) Farmer networks
• (06:37) Thriving concept
• (08:13) Cow focus
• (11:08) Caregiver wellbeing
• (14:59) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ermias Kebreab, Professor at the University of California, Davis, explains science based strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy systems. He discusses feed additives, genetic selection, and productivity improvements, while addressing common misconceptions about livestock emissions and environmental impact. Practical insights highlight both short and long term solutions for sustainable dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Genetic selection offers cumulative benefits by producing animals that naturally emit less methane without requiring continuous intervention or daily management adjustments in production systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ermias Kebreab is Professor and Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Animal Agriculture at the University of California, Davis, and Associate Dean for Global Engagement. His work focuses on methane mitigation, nutrition modeling, and climate smart livestock systems, supporting global dairy sustainability and productivity. Learn more about methane mitigation strategies with Dr. Ermias Kebreab on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (02:05) Methane mitigation strategies
• (03:01) Feed additives
• (05:37) Long-term data
• (07:37) Genetic selection
• (11:07) Misconceptions
• (13:33) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, celebrating World Milk Day, Dr. Jennifer Walker from Kinder Ground, discusses the connection between milk quality, animal welfare, and long-term herd health. She explains how management decisions involving milking routines, efficiency, and cow handling can influence dairy sustainability, resilience, and consumer trust. Learn why balancing welfare and productivity matters for the future of dairy production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Everything we do on a dairy farm is related to milk quality because animal welfare, food safety, and operational decisions are all connected."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Walker is Co-founder and Chief Animal Welfare Officer at Kinder Ground, where she works to improve dairy cattle welfare through education, practical partnerships, and industry collaboration. With experience in veterinary medicine, dairy stewardship, milk quality, and food safety, her work focuses on balancing cow care with sustainable dairy production. Listen to Dr. Jennifer Walker on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:03) Introduction
• (02:21) Welfare challenges
• (03:20) Profit balance
• (05:19) Milking insights
• (06:43) Forestripping impact
• (09:41) Farmer motivation
• (13:08) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, Joshua Brooke from inBarn Solutions explains how automated barn management systems can improve cow comfort, reduce heat stress, and lower water and energy usage in dairy operations. He discusses AI-powered monitoring, smart soaking systems, fan efficiency, and practical strategies that support sustainability and stronger dairy profitability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"It’s about sustainability and helping the bottom line through lower energy usage, reduced water consumption, and better operational decisions across dairy barn management systems."

Meet the guest: Joshua Brooke is the North American Sales Manager at inBarn Solutions, where he leads efforts helping dairies improve cow comfort, welfare, production, and operational efficiency. With experience in dairy equipment, barn systems, and automated management technologies, Joshua focuses on practical solutions that support sustainability and stronger dairy performance. Listen to Joshua Brooke on The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms!

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:25) Introduction
• (02:47) Cow comfort insights
• (04:55) Water saving systems
• (07:02) AI barn monitoring
• (09:25) Sustainability benefits
• (10:29) Energy efficiency
• (11:32) Closing thoughts

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

* inBarn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast