Dairy Digressions

Have you heard of Veronika? The 13‑year‑old pet Swiss brown living in Austria has gone viral for being the first cow documented using tools intelligently and flexibly—a revelation that has stunned the scientific and global community. We’re honored to welcome Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna’s comparative cognition team, who led the study on Veronika. Antonio explains why his area of research is extremely picky about what constitutes tool use—it requires more than just interacting with an object. It’s about an animal handling an object to extend their own body’s capabilities to make the impossible possible. Tooling is a phenomenon that is extremely rare in nature, yet touches a wildly diverse list of species, from Goffin’s cockatoos to dolphins, elephants, chimpanzees, crows, and even digger wasps. Although Veronika started with sticks and rakes, the study team provided Veronika with a broom, observing that she was not only able to use it to extend her ability to scratch parts of her body she otherwise couldn’t reach, but also that she had awareness and sensitivity to the two parts of the broom: the stick end and the brush end. Veronika preferred the brush end for most scratches, but switched to the gentle handle end to deliberately and precisely reach sensitive areas like the base of her tail—a flexible tooling behavior that astounded Antonio and his team.Matt and Antonio explore what about Veronika’s life in Austria might set her apart from other cows, what the team is studying next, and why their initial findings challenge long‑held assumptions about cow cognition. The two explore what they hope is the impact of these findings; that all scientists humbly reconsider the creatures we thought we already understood. Episode Six-Five Show NotesLearn more about Antonio’s research here. Have you observed tool use in cows? Antonio asks that you reach out to him! Curious about the latest in animal behavior research? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this June! Are you looking to publish dairy research in 2026? Save on your article costs via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications when you join the ADSA member community!Explore the article discussed in the episode:Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow, Current Biology (2026)View the paper’s video abstract here!

We know our journals are the engine behind the ADSA community, but have you ever been curious about how the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) comes together? Join us for a rare look at the stewardship required to keep dairy science’s gold standard journal moving as Matt interviews outgoing Editor in Chief Paul Kononoff, PhD, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at the University of Nebraska, and incoming Editor in Chief Laura Hernandez, PhD, professor of lactation physiology and director of the Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. We trace their weaving paths to their dairy science careers, from early days influenced by icons like Bob Collier and Jud Heinrichs to their current roles steering the world’s leading dairy research publication. The conversation details Paul’s tenure, which began just as the global COVID pandemic took hold. He reflects on the “great leap of faith” required to guide the journal through that time of transition, as well as the monumental move to Open Access. The group discusses how ADSA remains committed to providing affordable publishing options for its members, emphasizing the importance of making science accessible to the world, and the refreshed loyalty program designed to reward our dedicated community of reviewers and authors. Listeners will also hear the origins of the JDS Club 100 and the impact of seeing the journal reach a 4.4 Impact Factor under Paul’s leadership.Looking toward the future, Laura shares her vision for the journal’s next chapter. She tackles the challenges of generative artificial intelligence and explains her goals for growing dairy foods representation through interdisciplinary research that bridges production and processing. The episode wraps up with a look at the essential partnership between JDS and JDS Communications, some surprising revelations about what these two scientists would be doing if they weren’t in academia, and a heartfelt exchange of advice on how to lead by simply listening to the ADSA community. Episode Thirty-Four Show NotesLearn more about our guests and follow them on LinkedIn: Paul Kononoff and Laura Hernandez.Read the journals’ new Artificial Intelligence Policy for Authors.Join Paul and Laura—and the larger journal community—at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your research during our call for abstracts, which closes on February 10, 2026! Are you looking to publish dairy research in 2026? Save on your article costs via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications when you join the ADSA member community! Explore articles related to the episode: Laura Hernandez: Mentor, researcher and leader, Progressive Dairy (2025) Some closing words to the Journal of Dairy Science community, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) A note from the Journal of Dairy Science Editor in Chief, Journal of Dairy Science (2026)

Explore the fascinating, frustrating world of microbial biofilms in this special episode of Dairy Digressions! Matt is joined by returning guest and special cohost Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. In this episode, they host two contributors to the recent Journal of Dairy Science special issue devoted to biofilm formation in dairy: Mérilie Gagnon, PhD, coeditor of the Biofilm Formation in Dairy: A Food Safety Concern special issue and microbiology researcher at the Centre ACER, and Tara Wilson, a food science PhD candidate from the University of Guelph. They explain that these invisible communities of bacteria and fungi cling to surfaces from farm to factory, potentially contaminating milk, causing mastitis in cows, and compromising dairy quality and safety. Given the high level of interconnection in the dairy sector, this special issue aimed to present a holistic “One Biofilm” perspective, emphasizing that understanding and controlling biofilms necessitates an integrated strategy that connects farms, processing plants, and the environment. Mérilie walks listeners through the process of how biofilms form and explains that while not all biofilms are bad—some are central to the development of culture and flavor in dairy and maple syrup products, for example—understanding and controlling them is critical for both human and animal health. Nicole and Tara discuss the miles and miles of piping and equipment in dairies and processing plants, explain the power of a good acid wash, review current cleaning protocols, and explore promising new tools like improved equipment design, ultraviolet detection, and machine learning data-prediction tools that can anticipate increasing biofilm risk. Whether you’re in production or dairy, don’t miss this introduction to the microbes that rule our world! Episode Thirty-Two Show NotesLearn more about our guests and connect with them onLinkedIn: Nicole Martin, PhD, Mérilie Gagnon, PhD, and Tara Wilson. Want even more of the latest dairy food science? Join us atthe ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your emerging dairy foods research during our call for abstracts, closing February 10, 2026! Do you have publishing plans in 2026? Save on your articlecosts via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.Explore each of the special issue articles:Biofilm Formation in Dairy: A Food Safety Concern—Introduction, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Microbial community tracking from dairy farm to factory; Insights on biofilm management for enhanced food safety and quality, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Biofilms in the milking machine, from laboratory scale to on-farm results, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Insights into the prevalence of Pseudomonadota and yeasts on milking system surface biofilms, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Recent progress in antibiofilm strategies in the dairy industry, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Effect of biofilm production on antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus bovine mastitis strains from the most prevalent Canadian spa types, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)

In this candid and inspiring episode, host Matt Lucy is joined in conversation by Pam Ruegg, DVM, MPMV, ADSA fellow and David J. Ellis Chair in Antimicrobial Resistance and Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Pam shares her remarkable and diverse path in dairy science, from working in private practice to corporate technical service at Monsanto and extension appointments to roles in academia. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on improving dairy animal health, milk quality, and farm sustainability. She and Matt discuss her professional passion: understanding, treating, and preventing what she calls the most interesting disease in dairy, mastitis. She explains what we know now about responsible antibiotic use on dairy farms, and her work to identify animal, environmental, and pathogen factors that reduce disease risk. Through her journal publications, worldwide talks, and outreach work (don’t miss her YouTube channel, @TopMilkQuality), Pam provides evidence-based recommendations for mastitis treatments that factor in animal welfare, the economic health of the farm, and social responsibility. She dives into the evolution of US dairy farms over her career, the economics of milk quality, and her views on service and mentorship. Along the way, we hear about why she loved being a section editor for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications, plus her advice for young scientists: Align your career with what you want to do with your day—and don’t let pushback and self-doubt stop you. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or industry pro, Pam’s story is a masterclass in persistence, progress, and purpose. Episode Thirty Show NotesLearn more about Pam Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, connect with her on LinkedIn, and follow her on YouTube. Want more dairy health science and connections with mentors? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June! Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode:The future of udder health: Antimicrobial stewardship and alternative therapy of bovine mastitis, JDS Communications (2025) Making Economically Efficient Treatment Decisions for Clinical Mastitis, Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice (2025) A focus group study exploring necessary competencies and contextual factors for effective antimicrobial stewardship on dairy farms, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Impact of training dairy farm personnel on milking routine compliance, udder health, and milk quality, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Economic impact of subclinical mastitis treatment in early lactation using intramammary nisin, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Mastitis in Dairy Cows, pages 339–365 in Production Diseases in Farm Animals: Pathophysiology, Prophylaxis and Health Management (2024)

We’re bringing you a dairy food science icon on this episode of Dairy Digressions. Host Matt Lucy, PhD, is joined by MaryAnne Drake, PhD, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Food Science at North Carolina State University. MaryAnne is the director of the Sensory Service Center, director of the Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center, an ADSA Fellow who served as ADSA’s first female president, and a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists. MaryAnne explains her journey from food microbiology to being a leading authority in sensory science, dairy flavor chemistry, and consumer research after a stint working in a creamery during graduate school. She now runs a lab focused on sensory analysis and flavor chemistry of dairy products and ingredients, working to understand how flavor varies with processing and storage, and how these parameters relate to consumer perceptions. Listen in as MaryAnne shares her valuable insights on pressing issues in dairy, from the influence of packaging on school milk flavor—including why the milk carton might not be the best option—to consumer attitudes toward dairy versus plant-based alternatives. The two also discuss sustainability messaging around dairy, milk marketing, and the critical role of school lunch programs in shaping a lifelong love of milk and dairy products. She takes us behind the scenes of her massive lab (which she lovingly calls her “flying three-ring circus”), her work with industry, tips on getting a job in food science, and why finding your passion and purpose is the key to success in science. Finally, she discusses the importance of purpose driven work, the evolving role of women in science, and the intellectual joy of progress, even if it happens on a quiet holiday. Episode Twenty-Eight Show NotesLearn more about MaryAnne Drake, PhD, and connect with her on LinkedIn. Want even more of the latest dairy food science? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June! Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode:Parental perception of children’s school lunch milk, Journal of Dairy Science (2023) The role of packaging on the flavor of fluid milk, Journal of Dairy Science (2023) Parents’ implicit perceptions of dairy milk and plant-based milk alternatives, Journal of Dairy Science (2022)Children's perceptions of fluid milk with varying levels of milkfat, Journal of Dairy Science (2022)Child preferences and perceptions of fluid milk in school meal programs, Journal of Dairy Science (2021)Invited review: Maintaining and growing fluid milk consumption by children in school lunch programs in the United States, Journal of Dairy Science (2020)

Growing up on a dairy farm in the United Kingdom, Adam Lock, PhD, always thought he would take over the family business and milk cows for a living. Instead, he now works to help dairy professionals increase their cattle’s health, productivity, and profitability through nutrition. Join us to find out how!Host Matt Lucy sits down with Adam, a professor and associate chair for farm operations in the Department of Animal Science, and interim chair of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University. He explains the central focus of his research on fatty acid digestion and metabolism in the dairy cow and the impact of bioactive fatty acids on animal production and human health. The two focus on Adam’s recent work optimizing fat-feeding strategies during the transition period. The previous dogma around feeding fresh cows recommended against supplementing fats, but that is now changing. Adam and his team are proving that particular blends of individual fatty acids can help fill a cow’s unique needs during this time, promote energy balance, and increase milk production. The pair also discuss Adam’s focus on making all of his work immediately applicable to farmers and industry professionals, and the importance of extension work in dairy. Finally, he shares his philosophies around ensuring his lab is fun for students, the best way to connect with and train students, and how to embrace the fortuitous twists and turns your career in science might take. Episode Twenty-Six Show NotesLearn more about Adam Lock and connect with himon LinkedIn. Are you interested in learning applied nutrition strategiesdirectly from Adam? Join us at the 2025 ADSA AnnualMeeting in Louisville, Kentucky, this June! Adam is speakingduring our first-ever applied nutrition symposium and panel discussion focused on feeding high oleic soybeans and balancing diets for milk fat.Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.Catch up with the discussion of dairy nutrition dogma in Arandom view of the world: Because we are never absolutely sure of anything from Normand St-Pierre at the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting. Catch up on the papers and presentation discussed in theepisode:Effects of raw and roasted high oleic soybeans on milk production of high-producing dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)Effects of increasing dietary inclusion of high oleic acid soybeans on milk production of high-producing dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Milk production responses of dairy cows to fatty acid supplements with different ratios of palmitic and oleic acids in low-and high-fat basal diets, JDS Communications (2024) Increasing palmitic acid and reducing stearic acid content of supplemental fatty acid blends improves production performance of mid-lactation dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)Oleic acid abomasal infusion limits lipolysis and improves insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue from periparturient dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2023)

Since our last episode devoted to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in US dairy herds, the virus has passed some concerning new milestones—infecting over 900 herds, more than 60 people (including 1 death), and millions of domestic poultry flocks—and continues to present a pressing concern to dairy scientists and the dairy sector as a whole. To help our listeners keep their finger on the latest science, Matt sits down withDiego Diel, DVM, MS, PhD, a leading virologist and associate professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Diego and his lab team at Cornell were on the testing frontlines during the COVID-19 outbreak and are once again leading the charge in studying, documenting, and understanding H5N1—including via three impactful recent publications inJDS Communications andNature. He and Matt unpack the complexities of the H5N1 virus, explaining its unique components and genetic lineage, how it affects different cells across species, and tracking its evolution from wild birds to spreading in dairy cattle and spillovers to other avian and mammal hosts. The two discuss Diego’s recent work experimentally infecting dairy cows and calves to better understand the dynamics of the virus, detailing how it impacts the mammary gland, leading to severe mastitis and surprisingly high viral loads in milk. They review some of the remaining unknowns of the outbreak: Why haven’t we seen H5N1 in beef cattle? How is the virus spreading regionally from farm to farm? What is theexactroute of infection for dairy cows? Will vaccines be needed to stop its spread? The duo also cautiously explores the pandemic potential from the outbreak, outlining the current presentation of the virus in humans and clarifying that there is currently no human-to-human transmission. Thankfully, we have tools—such as antivirals that are effective against influenza in humans—in the toolbox to fight a pandemic if the virus were to mutate. While reassuring listeners that current data suggest a low risk, Diego emphasizes the importance of continued surveillance, testing, preventive measures, and research to understand how H5N1 might evolve.This episode ofDairy Digressions is a must-listen for anyone in the dairy sector seeking a comprehensive understanding of what we know today about the H5N1 outbreak. Episode Twenty-Four Show NotesLearn more aboutDiego Diel and connect with him onLinkedIn andX/Twitter. Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications.Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s next AnnualMeeting?Submit your abstract beforeFebruary 12, 2025, andjoin us in Louisville, Kentucky, this June!Catch up on the papers, news articles, and podcasts discussed in the episode:Hot topic: Influenza A H5N1 virus exhibits a broad host range, including dairy cows,JDS Communications(2024)Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle,Nature(2024)H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b dynamics in experimentally infected calves and cows,Nature(2025)The global H5N1 influenza panzootic in mammals,Nature (2025)Why hasn’t the bird flu pandemic started?,Science(2024)First bird flu death in U.S. reported in Louisiana,New York Times(2025)Update: Bird flu in the United States, Infectious Diseases Society of America (2025)Transmission of a human isolate of clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) virus in ferrets,Nature(2024)A human isolate of bovine H5N1 is transmissible and lethal in animal models,Nature(2024)A single mutation in bovine influenza H5N1 hemagglutinin switches specificity to human receptors,Science (2024)Genetic tracing of market wildlife and viruses at the epicenter of the COVID 19 pandemic,Cell(2024)

You know how delicious dairy foods are, so join us for a conversation with renowned nutrition scientist Connie M. Weaver, PhD, to better understand their essential role in human diets and overall health. Connie, a Distinguished Research Professor at San Diego State University and Distinguished Professor Emerita of Purdue University, a Fellow of the American Heart Association, American Society for Nutrition, and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, joined us for the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting. From her early days as a young scientist with a passion for food to her groundbreaking research on calcium and bone health, Connie shares her insights on the power of whole foods and the dairy matrix. Discover why the dairy matrix is more than just a collection of individual nutrients—the unique and sophisticated balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contributes to optimal health. Matt and Connie particularly focus on calcium and its importance for bone health, including the data on dairy as the critical source of calcium. Calcium is what we are most likely to be deficient in when not consuming the recommended three servings of dairy per day. Connie also shares her expertise in building successful research teams and the value of humility and open-mindedness in scientific inquiry. Tune in for invaluable insights into human nutrition, health, and the science behind the foods we eat! Episode Twenty-Two Show Notes Learn more about Connie Weaver and connect with her on LinkedIn. Are you interested in participating in ADSA’s next Annual Meeting? Submit your abstract to the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting before February 12, 2025, and join us in Louisville, Kentucky, next June! Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode: Next-generation health benefits of maternal calcium supplementation, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2024) Dairy matrix: Is the whole greater than the sum of the parts?, Nutrition Reviews (2021)

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of bovine reproduction research with Niamh Forde, PhD, professor and chair of molecular reproductive biosciences at the University of Leeds School of Medicine and cofounder of LeedsOmics, a virtual research institute. Niamh, a passionate scientist and community builder, shares her journey from a young, curious mind to a leading expert in the field who is currently focused on understanding the molecular interactions between the uterine endometrium and the embryo required for successful early pregnancy in cattle. She and Matt reflect on the unusual and fascinating diversity of placental structure across species and review Niamh’s research developing both in vitro and in vivo models to study how early-stage, preimplantation embryos in utero communicate with the maternal endometrium. Studying the peri-implantation period of pregnancy is critical, she explains, as this is when most cattle pregnancy losses occur. Our current understanding of these interactions is limited, but developing innovative models using microfluidics, organoids, and extracellular scaffolds holds promise for the future. The two also walk down memory lane of the iconic researchers who went before them in the field of cattle repro and discuss the importance of building a supportive professional community—not only to boost collaboration and creativity but to lend strength in the face of the rigors of a career in science. Finally, Niamh gives her best advice for young scientists and shares her infectious joy around her favorite day at work: new data day! Tune in to learn more about the latest advancements in reproductive science, the importance of mentorship, and the joy of discovering new knowledge. Episode Twenty Show Notes Learn more about Niamh and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications. Save the date for the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting (June 22–25) in Louisville, Kentucky, and submit your abstracts before February 12! Catch Up on the Articles Discussed in the Episode Understanding conceptus–maternal interactions: What tools do we need to develop? Reproduction, Fertility and Development (2023) Quantification of the effect of in utero events on lifetime resilience in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

We’re celebrating dairy cow behavior this month on the pod as the special issue of JDS Communications, Behavior in Dairy Animals, launches! Host Matt Lucy chats with Katy Proudfoot, PhD, associate professor at the University of Prince Edward Island and director of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, and Emma Ternman, PhD, associate professor at Nord University. The two are coauthors of an Editor’s Choice article in the special issue devoted to estimating sleep in dairy cattle. Katy and Emma explain how both of their academic paths were filled with “banana peels” and lots of googling—all of which eventually led them to the study of behavior and welfare in dairy cows. They dive into their work to better measure sleep and rest in dairy cows, explaining that sleep serves several essential functions throughout the animal kingdom, so understanding sleep in dairy cows could help us to improve their overall welfare, health, and production. They review how scientists are currently measuring and estimating sleep in dairy cattle—from changes in behavior to electrodes placed on a cow’s head—including the limitations of these methods and where the science might go. As prey animals, dairy cows must be vigilant during the day and average only about three hours of total sleep time. But they can supplement this with “drowsing,” an intermediate state between waking and sleeping that allows cows to stay alert and continue ruminating while getting essential rest. The two explain, however, that this research is still in its infancy and much work still needs to be done to understand sleep in dairy herds—from how the lights and noise of a barn might impact cows to whether they dream. Finally, the guests give their best advice, including why sleep is just as important for dairy scientists as it is for cows, why no one should ever pull all-nighters, and how to make writing papers fun. Episode Eighteen Show Notes Learn more about Katy Proudfoot and connect with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about Emma Ternman and connect with her on LinkedIn. Want to learn more about the latest science of dairy cow behavior? Dive into the Special Issue of JDS Communications! Catch up on the papers and the news articles discussed in the episode: Methods used for estimating sleep in dairy cattle, JDS Communications (2024) Effects of acute lying and sleep deprivation on metabolic and inflammatory responses of lactating dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2021) Sleep in dairy cows recorded with a non-invasive EEG technique, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2012)

Have questions about how the recent H5N1 strain of avian influenza—or bird flu—outbreak is impacting cow health, worker safety, dairy products, and consumer trust? This special bonus episode of Dairy Digressions takes you straight to the heart of the 2024 ADSA Annual Meeting, where top animal health and food safety experts tackle your most pressing H5N1 concerns. Join moderator Jessica McArt, PhD, DVM, DABVP (Dairy Practice), as she poses audience questions to panelists Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, David J. Ellis chair in antimicrobial resistance and director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Dairy Health Management Laboratory at Michigan State University, and Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and associate director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. This episode is essential listening for anyone in the dairy sector! Do you have unanswered H5N1 questions you’d like us to tackle on the pod? Send them to adsa@adsa.org! We’ll be back soon with more as the science around this outbreak develops. Bonus Episode Show Notes Connect with the Panel Participants Learn more about Jess McArt’s work, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram. Learn more about Pamela Ruegg, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Learn more about Nicole Martin, and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Review the H5N1 responses from the US Department of Agriculture, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Food and Drug Administration. Save the date for the 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting (June 22–25) in Louisville, Kentucky. Catch Up on the Reports and Resources Discussed in the Episode Persistence of influenza H5N1 and H1N1 viruses in unpasteurized milk on milking unit surfaces, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024) A One Health investigation into H5N1 avian influenza virus epizootics on two dairy farms, medRxiv preprint (2024) Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle, Nature (2024) Experimental reproduction of viral replication and disease in dairy calves and lactating cows inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, bioRxiv preprint (2024) Pathogenicity and transmissibility of bovine H5N1 influenza virus, Nature (2024) 2024 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1): Michigan dairy herd and poultry flock summary, US Department of Agriculture (2024) Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in animals: Interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in domestic dairy cattle and cats, United States, 2024, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024) Fatal infection in ferrets after ocular inoculation with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024) Inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus with high temperature short time continuous flow pasteurization and virus detection in bulk milk tanks, Journal of Food Protection Preprint (2024) Inactivation of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in raw milk at 63°C and 72°C, New England Journal of Medicine (2024) USDA announces $824 million in new funding to protect livestock health; launches voluntary H5N1 dairy herd status pilot program, US Department of Agriculture (2024)

Deep dive with us into the exciting world of stem cell research as we welcome Carl Jiang, PhD, associate professor at the University of Florida and member of the University of Florida Genetics Institute. Jiang’s work focuses on reproductive biology, with an emphasis on understanding the epigenetic mechanisms during the embryo-development period when most pregnancy losses occur. Carl and host Matt Lucy get caught up during the International Embryo Technology Society’s 50th Annual Conference and discuss Carl’s path from growing up in rural China to studying embryology after being encouraged by an undergraduate mentor. The two explain the importance of bovine pregnancy success and how our understanding of the mechanisms of blastocysts—the embryo’s early stage—has been hampered by a limited supply of embryos. In a remarkable breakthrough, however, Carl and his team developed an efficient method to assemble bovine blastoids—bovine blastocyst–like structures—via trophoblast stem cells. Although still in the early stages, this technology opens up a more accessible in vitro model for studying embryo development and helping to potentially reduce pregnancy loss and improve reproductive efficiency in tomorrow’s dairy herds. Carl also lets us behind the scenes of his lab, explaining why one-on-one mentorship and a diversity of voices from around the globe are so important to research success. Finally, he explains why “Journal Club Day” is his favorite day at work and how it can kickstart new ideas and a renewed passion for science. Episode Fifteen Show Notes Learn more about Carl Jiang’s work and connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Save the date for the 51st International Embryo Technology Society Annual Conference (January 18–21, 2025, in Fort Worth, TX). Start earning rewards and journal savings via the ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program for the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications. Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode: Establishment of bovine trophoblast stem cells, Cell Reports (2023) Bovine blastocyst-like structures derived from stem cell cultures, Cell Stem Cell (2023)

Join us for a special episode of Dairy Digressions recorded live at the International Embryo Technology Society’s 50th Annual Conference. Between sessions, host Matt Lucy sat down with Goetz Laible, PhD, biochemist and principal scientist at AgResearch and honorary associate professor at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Their discussion walks listeners through Goetz’s work in developing and evaluating technologies for the genetic improvement of livestock. In the face of our warming climate, Goetz and his animal biotechnology team are working to advance gene-editing technology to help dairy herds cope better—and stay healthy and productive—with increasing heat exposure. The two also deep dive into the science behind Goetz’s recent work on light-colored coats in Holstein Friesian cows. Using direct editing of embryos, Goetz and his team amplified naturally occurring coat mutation—which makes some cows lighter than others—to create lighter-colored cows in a single generation. These animals still retain their classic spots but with increased white coverage and a dilution of black spots to a light gray. Lighter gene-edited cows absorb a staggering 40% less solar radiation than their dominantly black counterparts, representing an important step forward for grass-fed dairy herds that spend most of their time outdoors. Listen in as Goetz sheds light on the potential applications of this technology in dairy herds, including his experience taking it to producers. He and Matt discuss the changing tides when it comes to farmer and consumer openness toward biotechnologies with the potential to help cows lead healthier, happier lives. An avid traveler, Goetz also shares his favorite perk of working in science and his advice for young scientists to embrace collaboration. Episode Thirteen Show Notes Learn more about Goetz Laible’s work with AgResearch and connect with him on LinkedIn. Save the date for the 51st International Embryo Technology Society Annual Conference (January 18–21, 2025, in Fort Worth, TX). Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode: Production of light-coloured, low heat-absorbing Holstein Friesian cattle by precise embryo-mediated genome editing, Reproduction, Fertility and Development (2023) Cytoplasmic injection of zygotes to genome edit naturally occurring sequence variants into bovine embryos, Frontiers in Genetics (2022) Embryo-mediated genome editing for accelerated genetic improvement of livestock, Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (2020) Cattle with a precise, zygote-mediated deletion safely eliminate the major milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin, Scientific Reports (2018) Targeted microRNA expression in dairy cattle directs production of β-lactoglobulin-free, high-casein milk, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2012)