In the Real Science Exchange Legacy Series, we celebrate the pioneers who have shaped the dairy industry. In this episode, we honor Dr. Don Beitz, a distinguished professor at Iowa State University. At the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting, a symposium was held titled “Donald C. Beitz Recognition Symposium: 50-Plus Years of Dairy Science Research.” The guests on this episode, all former graduate students of Dr. Beitz, were speakers at the event. Join us as we explore Dr. Beitz’s contributions and enduring impact on our industry.

Panelists introduce themselves and how they met Dr. Beitz. Tricky MS and PhD exam questions are also shared. Panelists emphasize Dr. Beitz’s love for biochemistry, teaching, and collaboration. (1:17)

Dr. Beitz shares about his early life, academic career, and family. (11:45)

Dr. Goff’s symposium presentation focused on Dr. Beitz and colleagues’ contribution to our understanding of transition cow hypocalcemia. He talks about studies on low calcium diets, investigating the metabolic pathways of vitamin D, and low phosphorus diets. Dr. Beitz also studied the impact of vitamin D on meat tenderness. (22:37)

Dr. Nelson’s presentation detailed the advances in understanding bovine immunology from the work of Don Beitz and his colleagues. From the milk fever vitamin D research, it was also discovered that vitamin D had an impact on the immune system, which led to further work with vitamin A and immunity as well. Dr. Beitz also had students investigate calf growth rate influence on immune system development as well as Johne’s disease. (27:22)

Dr. Drackley focused on Dr. Beitz’s work in understanding fatty liver and ketosis. The transition period was of interest to Dr. Beitz, which is reflected not only in his work in hypocalcemia, but also the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of ketosis. Dr. Beitz and his colleague, Dr. Young, developed a successful ketosis model using a slight feed restriction and supplementing a ketone body precursor, which was used to investigate ketosis and fatty liver. (30:25)

Dr. VandeHaar spoke about Dr. Beitz’s passion for research and teaching in dairy science, biochemistry, and life. He emphasized the depth and breadth of Dr. Beitz’s work and teaching. He shared that Dr. Beitz has served as major professor for around 107 graduate students and has taught biochemistry to over 16,000 students. (35:02)

The panelists share stories about Dr. Beitz’s humility, care and support for students, and the many different professional societies he has been involved in over his career. (38:39)

Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (42:56)

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This episode features Dr. Glen Broderick and Dr. May Beth Hall, speakers at the 2025 ADSA Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: Anomalies in Analyzed Nutrient Composition of Feedstuffs.

Dr. Broderick’s presentation was titled “Protein analysis methodology.” The high points of his talk include recommendations for nitrogen analysis in feeds, potential improvements in determining protein degradability and undegradability in the rumen, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis of amino acid composition of feedstuffs. (7:57)

Dr. Hall’s presentation was titled “Success and continuing challenges in analyzing nonfiber carbohydrates.” She gives some history of the analysis of non-fiber carbohydrates and talks about starch assays and how water-soluble carbohydrates are not solely composed of sugars. She also explains how microbes make decisions on which substrates to ferment and which to store for later. (12:47)

The panelists talk about challenges in obtaining real-time nutrient analyses in order to make ration changes. They recommend using rolling averages rather than a single sample and using milk urea nitrogen as a way to evaluate if something is not quite right with a ration. (21:17)

Dr. Broderick notes he recommends that scientists no longer use the Kjeldahl method of nitrogen analysis, that we look for new or alternative methodology other than in situ digestibility to determine protein degradability, and that NIR analysis of amino acids be used to make ration decisions when calibrated for the feedstuff under consideration. (27:10)

Dr. Hall recommends using the appropriate carbohydrate standard when measuring water-soluble carbohydrates: sucrose for fresh forages, fructose for cool-season grasses with high fructan content, etc. She also notes that some feeds, like bakery waste or amylase-modified grain, contain soluble starch, which shows up in both the starch category and the water-soluble category in a feed analysis, essentially double-dipping. Lastly, she suggests that nonfiber carbohydrates remain a bit of a nutritional black box and we continue to learn more with improved technology. (29:36)

Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (43:31)

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If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.