In this special episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. James Spain, Professor at the University of Missouri, discusses how increasing milk production has intensified heat stress challenges in modern dairy cows. With warmer months placing additional pressure on herd performance, he explains the effects on feed intake, milk production, thermal balance, and cooling strategies, highlighting why cow-centered temperature management may improve performance and efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The thermometer we should be using to run our cooling systems is not measuring air temperature; it really should be based on cow temperature."

Meet the guest: Dr. James Spain earned his PhD in Animal Sciences from Virginia Tech and his BS in Animal Sciences from North Carolina State University. As a Professor at the University of Missouri, his work has focused on dairy cattle management, environmental challenges, and production efficiency. Learn more from Dr. James Spain on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:43) Introduction
• (02:43) Heat stress challenges
• (04:06) Internal heat production
• (05:44) Cow-centered cooling
• (08:10) Thermal balance indicators
• (08:56) Nighttime cooling benefits
• (11:30) Closing thoughts

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

* Priority IAC

* Kemin

* Fortiva

* Adisseo

* Vetagro

* Barentz

- Esmilco Inc.

- Virtus Nutrition

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Dwain Bunting from Barentz Animal Nutrition North America discusses how summer humidity affects the stability of potassium carbonate, mineral buffers, and dairy concentrate mixes. He explains ingredient reactivity, moisture risks, formulation considerations, and practical strategies to improve mix stability during periods of hot, humid weather. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Summer humidity raises the reactivity of potassium carbonate and mineral buffers, making chemical stability a serious concern inside dairy concentrate mixtures during the hottest months."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dwain Bunting is a ruminant nutritionist with more than 27 years of industry and academic experience across dairy and beef systems. He holds a PhD in Nutrition and Biochemistry and has worked in research, teaching, product development, and global technical support roles. Currently serving as a Technical Service Dairy Nutritionist at Barentz Animal Nutrition North America, he focuses on applied dairy nutrition and formulation strategies. Listen to Dr. Dwain Bunting on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Dr. Dwain Bunting: DCAD And Palatability | Ep. 121

Dr. Frank Delfino: Potassium Strategies & Heat Stress | Ep. 132

What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:42) Introduction
• (02:17) Summer humidity
• (04:24) Mineral risks
• (06:26) Potassium buffers
• (07:41) Moisture control
• (08:42) Summer caution
• (09:32) Closing thoughts

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

* Barentz

* Adisseo

* Fortiva

* Kemin

* Vetagro

- DietForge

- Esmilco Inc.

- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Susanna Räisänen, Assistant Professor at Aarhus University, discusses the growing importance of histidine in dairy cow nutrition. She explains how lower-protein diets affect amino acid balance, the role of microbial protein, and the challenges of improving nitrogen utilization while maintaining milk production. Learn how histidine may shape future dairy nutrition strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"In a meta-analysis compiling all histidine studies, histidine supplementation increased dry matter intake and increased milk protein, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield."

Meet the guest: Dr. Susanna Räisänen is an Assistant Professor at Aarhus University specializing in nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. She earned her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Animal Science from SLU in Sweden and completed her Ph.D. at Penn State University. Her research focuses on amino acid nutrition, protein efficiency, and sustainable dairy production. Listen to Dr. Susanna Räisänen on The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

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Dr. Sonia Rodríguez: Improving Milk Production with Gut Health Strategies | Ep. 125

Dr. Lance Baumgard: Stress Impact on Gut Health | Ep. 130

Dr. Richard Paratte: Lysine and Milk Production | Ep. 133

What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:41) Introduction
• (03:31) Histidine interest
• (06:08) Low-protein diets
• (07:31) Supplementation responses
• (08:28) Feed sources
• (09:46) Practical limits
• (14:38) Closing thoughts

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

* Vetagro

* Adisseo

* Fortiva

* Barentz

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Esmilco Inc.

- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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LinkedIn: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast