In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Brad Daigneault, from the University of Florida, unpacks the science behind bull fertility and semen quality. Dr. Daigneault talks about key factors like motility scoring and mitochondrial function, and how technologies are being used to improve fertility predictions and boost reproductive performance. Discover how new tools may enhance fertility screening and protect producers from costly reproductive failures. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

"Motility is still the best indicator of fertility, but it doesn’t always predict outcomes accurately."

Meet the guest: Dr. Brad Daigneault is an Assistant Professor of Reproductive Biology at the University of Florida, focusing on improving livestock fertility through innovative reproductive technologies. With a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University, his research explores sperm biology, gene-environment interactions, and embryo development.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:14) Introduction
• (01:45) Dr. Daigneault’s journey
• (05:22) Bull fertility evaluation
• (08:09) Sperm analysis
• (11:25) Mitochondria & sperm
• (22:19) Analysis technologies
• (28:30) Final three questions

The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Priority IAC

* Evonik

* Adisseo

- Natural Biologics

- SmaXtec

- Berg + Schmidt

- dsm-firmenich

- ICC

- Protekta

- AHV

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Mike Hutjens, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, shares valuable tools to optimize calcium levels in transition cows. He breaks down how strategies like DCAD diets and zeolites can help prevent calcium-related health issues, ensuring cows stay healthy and productive through the critical early stages of lactation. Don’t miss his practical tips for better herd management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"When blood calcium is low in fresh cows, it leads to a cascade of problems with milk production, reproduction, and immunity."

Meet the guest: Dr. Mike Hutjens is a Professor Emeritus in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. With extensive experience in dairy nutrition and herd management, Dr. Hutjens has contributed to the development of educational materials for dairy professionals worldwide. He has worked extensively on improving transition cow health, focusing on blood calcium management to optimize dairy production.

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Dr. Michael Hutjens: Buffer Benefits for Dairy Cows | Ep. 58

Dr. Michael Steele: Colostrum Feeding Strategies | Ep. 104

Dr. Miguel Morales: Transition Cows & Calcium Balance | Ep. 126

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:15) Introduction
• (04:57) Calcium in fresh cows
• (07:28) DCAD diet best practices
• (10:13) Zeolite use in dairy
• (16:20) Boluses insights
• (21:25) Monitoring fresh cows
• (24:71) Final three questions

The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

Protekta

* Priority IAC

* Evonik

* Adisseo

- AHV

- Natural Biologics

- SmaXtec

- Berg + Schmidt

- dsm-firmenich

- ICC

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Hinayah Rojas, from Purdue University, shares valuable insights into the rapidly evolving field of genomics in dairy cattle. Dr. Rojas breaks down the challenges and opportunities presented by longitudinal traits like milk production, discussing how genomic tools are helping to boost sustainability across the industry. Additionally, Dr. Rojas offers advice on balancing motherhood with a demanding professional life. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The lactation curve is complex, but genomics allows us to select animals not only for higher milk production but also for better lactation persistence."

Meet the guest: Dr. Hinayah Rojas de Oliveira is an Assistant Professor of Genomics and Animal Breeding at Purdue University. She holds a PhD in Animal Sciences, focusing on Genetics and Animal Breeding, from the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil. Dr. Rojas has completed postdoctoral work at the University of Guelph and Purdue University and previously worked as a Geneticist at Lactanet Canada. Her research aims to develop statistical models that maximize genetic progress while preserving diversity in livestock species.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:30) Introduction
• (02:35) Dr. Rojas’s journey
• (08:52) Genomics in dairy cattle
• (11:55) Longitudinal traits
• (14:30) Genomic & efficiency
• (17:11) Sustainability & genomics
• (28:35) Final questions

The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Adisseo

* Lallemand

* Priority IAC

* Evonik

- ICC

- AHV

- Protekta

- Natural Biologics

- SmaXtec

- Berg + Schmidt

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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