The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Scott Brenner, owner-operator of Hunter Haven Farms, shares how adopting a nutrition strategy focused on beneficial rumen microorganisms changed his approach to feeding cows. He explains why digestible forages, dry cow feed access, mineral choices, and water management all matter when improving efficiency on a dairy operation. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest: Scott Brenner is the owner-operator of Hunter Haven Farms, a family-owned dairy in northwest Illinois. The farm milks about 1,000 cows and is co-owned with his wife and partners. Scott focuses on forage quality, digestible nutrients, dry cow management, water access, and practical feeding strategies that help cows convert feed more efficiently. Learn more from Scott Brenner on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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Tom Nauman: Smartbacteria in Dairy | Ep. 137
Richard Breunig: Linking Microbiology and Nutrition | Ep. 145
Brittany Herzfeldt: Microbiology Nutrition For Dairy Cows | Ep. 210

What you'll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:45) Introduction
(05:58) Feeding insights
(07:53) Nutrient-dense forages
(15:52) Dry cow program
(22:11) Feed bunk and water access
(28:14) Future of dairy feeding
(33:34) Final questions

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

Priority IAC

* Adisseo
* Evonik
* CowManager
* Agri-Comfort
* Afimilk
- AHV
- DietForge
- Agrarian Solutions
- Protekta
- dsm-firmenich
- Chemlock Nutrition
- Natural Biologics
- Rangen Group

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Charlie Elrod, President of Natural Biologics, explains why medium chain monoglycerides can support calf health during early disease pressure. He discusses the science behind lipid envelope viruses, gut integrity, antimicrobial stewardship, and practical field results showing lower calf mortality and treatment rates. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Strategic early calf support can reduce disease pressure when young animals face the highest health risk."

Meet the guest: Dr. Charlie Elrod is President and CEO of Natural Biologics, Inc., bringing 46 years of experience in the animal industry. After owning a dairy farm, he earned a B.S. in Animal Science from Berry College and a Ph.D. from Cornell University, focusing on interactions between reproduction and nutrition. He also served as a Cornell Dairy Extension Specialist, worked as a technical consultant and research leader before founding Natural Biologics. Learn more from Dr. Charlie Elrod on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!
Dr. Rick Grant: Rumen Health & Management | Ep. 178
Alex Benoit: Amino Acid & Fatty Acid Interactions | Ep. 183

What you'll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:36) Introduction
(02:48) Industry background
(10:16) Medium chain monoglycerides
(13:41) Calf applications
(21:11) Farm results
(27:04) Lactating cows
(36:15) Final questions

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

- Natural Biologics

* Agri-Comfort
* Afimilk
* Evonik
* Adisseo
* CowManager
- DietForge
- Agrarian Solutions
- Protekta
- AHV
- Rangen Group
- dsm-firmenich
- Chemlock Nutrition

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Barb Petersen, dairy veterinarian and owner of Sunrise Veterinary Service, explains how precision dairy technologies can improve early health detection and support better management decisions. She shares practical insights on interpreting health alerts, choosing the right monitoring system for your operation, and combining technology with hands-on animal observation to achieve the best results. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Early disease detection creates opportunities to identify health problems before clinical signs become visible, making treatment timing one of the most important factors influencing successful health outcomes."

Meet the guest: Dr. Barb Petersen is a dairy veterinarian and owner of Sunrise Veterinary Service in Amarillo, Texas. She works with dairy and beef operations across the Texas Panhandle, specializing in herd health, nutrition, diagnostics, and precision livestock management. Dr. Petersen earned her DVM from Iowa State University and an MBA from West Texas A&M University. She is nationally recognized for helping identify and confirm the first H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle. Learn more from Dr. Barb Petersen on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!
Tara Bohnert: Smarter Herd Monitoring | Ep. 181
Samantha Reighard: Data-Driven Dairy Nutrition | Ep. 186

What you'll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:36) Introduction
(03:11) Early detection timing
(06:06) Health alert troubleshooting
(11:11) Fresh cow conditions
(19:39) Adoption decisions
(23:41) Successful technology users
(28:51) Closing thoughts

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

* CowManager

* Agri-Comfort
* Afimilk
* Evonik
* Adisseo
- dsm-firmenich
- Chemlock Nutrition
- DietForge
- Agrarian Solutions
- AHV
- Natural Biologics
- Protekta
- Rangen Group

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Podcast Show
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YouTube: The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Brittany Herzfeldt from Priority IAC discusses how microbial nutrition supports rumen health, helps prevent acidosis, and improves feed utilization in dairy cattle. She explains forage management, corn silage strategies, ration formulation, and the role of beneficial bacteria in dairy production. Learn practical approaches to optimize herd performance and feed efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Beneficial bacteria can help utilize excess acid in the rumen, supporting digestive stability and reducing challenges commonly associated with acidosis."

Meet the guest: Brittany Herzfeldt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls with a background in Dairy Science and Management. As a Microbiology Nutritionist and Consultant at Priority IAC, she works with dairy producers across the United States, focusing on rumen health, feed efficiency, forage utilization, and microbiology nutrition strategies that support dairy cattle performance. Listen to Brittany Herzfeldt on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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

What you'll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:37) Introduction
(02:09) Acidosis prevention
(02:40) Microbiology nutrition
(05:35) Forage harvest timing
(06:52) Feed efficiency
(07:39) Corn silage management
(15:43) Final Questions

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

Priority IAC

* Afimilk
* Evonik
* Adisseo
* CowManager
* Agri-Comfort
- Natural Biologics
- Protekta
- dsm-firmenich
- BoviSync
- Chemlock Nutrition
- DietForge
- Agrarian Solutions
- AHV

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Christopher Rock, Technical Services Consultant and DVM at Animal Health Vision (AHV), a division of Elanco, discusses quorum sensing inhibition, biofilm disruption, and immune modulation in dairy cattle. He explains how these technologies support animal health, manage inflammation, and influence recovery, rumination, and body temperature responses. Learn how innovative approaches may complement herd health strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Bacterias communicate through signal molecules that coordinate behavior changes, allowing populations to form biofilms and express traits associated with disease challenges."

Meet the guest: Dr. Christopher Rock graduated from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine and owned a veterinary clinic in eastern Iowa for six years. He currently serves as a Technical Services Consultant and DVM for Animal Health Vision (AHV), a division of Elanco, focusing on innovative approaches to dairy cattle health, immune function, and disease management. Listen to Dr. Christopher Rock on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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

What you'll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:33) Introduction
(05:01) Quorum sensing inhibition
(05:45) Biofilm disruption
(10:40) Immune modulation
(16:50) Inflammation management
(20:57) Recovery and rumination
(26:38) Final Questions

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

- AHV

* Afimilk
* Evonik
* Adisseo
* CowManager
* Agri-Comfort
- Natural Biologics
- Protekta
- dsm-firmenich
- BoviSync
- Chemlock Nutrition
- DietForge
- Agrarian Solutions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Dairy Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Dairy Podcast Show
Instagram: The Dairy Podcast Show
YouTube: The Dairy Podcast Show