In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jessica Halfen from Mississippi State University discusses how polyphenols and phytochemicals can improve dairy cow health during transition and heat stress periods. She shares her in vitro findings, explains the potential of using local byproducts as feed additives, and highlights the future of nutraceuticals in dairy nutrition. Listen now on all major platforms!

"These polyphenols can interact with the immune system, modulating response or decreasing pro-inflammatory response."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jessica Halfen is an Assistant Extension Research Professor of Dairy Science at Mississippi State University. She earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. Her research focuses on transition cow nutrition and health, with deep expertise in phytochemicals and immune function.

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What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:51) Introduction
• (03:41) Role of polyphenols
• (05:08) Antioxidant mechanisms
• (06:16) Byproduct feed potential
• (07:58) Transition period health
• (11:41) Nutraceuticals in dairy
• (12:56) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

* Fortiva

* Barentz

- DietForge

- Kemin

- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Alice Brandao from Texas A&M University explores how insulin resistance, feed additives, and energy sources influence dairy cattle health. She shares insights from her work in Brazil, where challenging conditions call for adaptive nutritional strategies. Learn what impacts immune modulation and metabolic responses in transition cows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Feed additives are great tools, but they are not silver bullets or magic wands."

Meet the guest: Dr. Alice Brandao is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Animal Science. With a background in veterinary medicine from Brazil, she pursued her M.S. in Dairy Science and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences.

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What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:07) Introduction
• (06:44) Insulin resistance factors
• (08:49) Chromium supplementation effects
• (09:42) Non-starch energy sources
• (11:22) Immune modulation strategies
• (13:49) Feed additive challenges
• (16:42) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

* Fortiva

* Priority IAC

- Kemin

- Virtus Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mary Beth Hall from The Cows Are Always Right LLC, shares expert insights on water-soluble carbohydrates in dairy cow diets. She explains how these nutrients differ from starch, their unique fermentation pathways, and the role they play in promoting rumen health and milk production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The water-soluble carbohydrates, when a cow consumes them and they go into the rumen, they're taken up by both bacteria and protozoa."

Meet the guest: Dr. Mary Beth Hall is a dairy cattle nutritionist consulting through The Cows Are Always Right LLC. She earned her BS and PhD from Cornell University and MS from Virginia Tech. A retired USDA-ARS research scientist, her work focuses on nonfiber carbohydrates, rumen fermentation, and practical feeding strategies.

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

What will you learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:26) Introduction
• (02:26) Water-soluble carbs
• (04:47) Microbial glycogen storage
• (06:52) Fermentation vs. starch
• (09:38) Carbohydrate sources
• (11:31) Diet formulation tips
• (13:17) Closing thoughts

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

* Adisseo

* Fortiva

* Priority IAC

- Virtus Nutrition

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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