The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast

Dr. Ana Velasquez Munoz: Seasonal Calving Challenges | Ep. 56

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-velasquez-munoz-5a3b77211/] 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! [https://www.wisenetix.com/dairyhealthblackbelt] 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 [https://inbarn.com/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://dairyhealthblackbelt.com/] Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/dairycampus/] LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairycampus/]

Tiarna Scerri: Rethinking Mastitis Treatment | Ep. 55

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiarnascerriprofessional/?skipRedirect=true] 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! [https://www.wisenetix.com/dairyhealthblackbelt] 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 [https://inbarn.com/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://dairyhealthblackbelt.com/] Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/dairycampus/] LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairycampus/]

Dr. Laura Hernandez: Understanding Calcium Homeostasis | Ep. 54

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hernandez-6538a91b/] 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! [https://www.wisenetix.com/dairyhealthblackbelt] 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 [https://inbarn.com/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://dairyhealthblackbelt.com/] Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/dairycampus/] LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairycampus/]

Dr. Jennifer Walker: Cow Welfare Beyond Longevity | Ep. 53

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-walker-kinderground/] 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! [https://www.wisenetix.com/dairyhealthblackbelt] 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 [https://inbarn.com/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://dairyhealthblackbelt.com/] Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/dairycampus/] LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairycampus/]

Dr. Ermias Kebreab: Methane Mitigation Strategies Explained | Ep. 52

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ermias-kebreab-dsc-74108a25/] 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! [https://www.wisenetix.com/dairyhealthblackbelt] 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 [https://inbarn.com/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://dairyhealthblackbelt.com/] Instagram: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.instagram.com/dairycampus/] LinkedIn: The Dairy Health Blackbelt Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairycampus/]