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Are we really looking at what our data might be saying, or are we all overrelying on a blanket approach to p-values? This is the discussion that inspired the paper at the center of our latest episode. Richard Laven, BVSc, PhD, professor of production animal health and welfare at Massey University’s Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science in New Zealand, joins host Matt Lucy to talk about his JDS Communications article, “Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research,” coauthored with D. AaronYang, a statistician and epidemiologist with Nanjing Agricultural University. The Editor’s Choice article came out in late 2025 and ranked among the journal’s most downloaded papers of the year. Richard and Matt start by discussing Richard’s path to veterinary science and some of the unique features of New Zealand dairying. They then work through the three issues the paper addresses: comparing results by their significance levels, treating a nonsignificant result as proof of no effect, and calling results near a significance thresholda trend or tendency. Drawing on real examples from the peer reviewed literature, including a fertility study that reported no effect despite a 7% difference in pregnancy rate, Richard makes the case for confidence intervals, effect sizes,and practical importance as a clearer way to show what the data can and can’t rule out. While it may take longer, he recommends that all of his students actually look at the effect their work found, since that is the interesting thing. They also dig into the paper’s calls to action toward four reporting standards for journals and reviewers, and why taking the extra time with your statistics is an investment in good scientific practice and results in better information for you and your readers. Episode Forty Show Notes Connect with Richard on LinkedIn The Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications are society-based journals committed to supporting ourauthors and making the path to publication as easy as possible. Explore our growing library of publishing resources, from webinars to a guide to designing and creating graphical abstracts, and easy-to-use article templates for JDS andJDSC. ADSA cares about keeping you connected to the experts andlatest science across the entire dairy spectrum. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inboxin one streamlined, monthly email. Explore the papers and resources discussed in theepisode: Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research, JDS Communications (2025) The ASA Statement on p-Values: Context, Process, and Purpose, The American Statistician (2016)

Members of the ADSA community represent the full spectrum of careers in dairy science, from academia to industry, dairy production to dairy foods, and everything in between. Join us for an episode that takes us into the vast options and impacts of dairy science work as host Matt Lucy is joined by Pablo Ross, DVM, PhD, chief scientific officer at STgenetics and former professor of animal science at the University of California, Davis. Pablo, the son of a veterinarian, grew up in a small town in Argentina and found his career path through swine pathology research, which showed him what a life in science could actually offer. A conversation at a conference with Jose Cibelli, DVM, PhD, then led him to academia, where he spent years working on animal reproduction with an emphasis on gametes, early embryos, and embryonic stem cells. He explains his contributions to the explosion of efficiencies in animal genetic improvement, including the science of induced pluripotency—how an oocyte erases a cell’s epigenetic memory, sending a differentiated cell backward to an embryonic state and then forward into whatever tissue is needed. He and Matt trace that work to in vitro breeding, which could shorten the generational interval by keeping the whole cycle in a dish, generating embryos, isolating stem cells from the strongest candidates, and starting again without waiting on an animal to grow up. Along the way, he explains how he came to transition from research and teaching to his industry role at STGenetics. At STgenetics, Pablo works on how genetic improvements can help farmers and producers be more efficient and more profitable, highlighting his work on ECO$ and EcoFeed, selection indexes designed to help producers achieve these goals. He also makes the case for industry as a place to do serious science, approaching genetics, as he puts it, through the mind of a physiologist. Episode Thirty-Nine Show Notes Connect with Pablo on LinkedIn ADSA is committed to creating spaces for the open exchange of science and information between all members of the dairy science community. The Discover Conference series is the perfect place for interdisciplinary conversations between researchers, academics, students, and industry professionals in a setting small enough to ask real questions and get real answers. Explore the program for the forthcoming Dairy and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities session and register to join the event running from August 31 through September 3, 2026, at Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, Illinois. Do you have emerging data you’re hoping to publish? 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 papers and resources discussed in theepisode: Phase I/II trial of iPS-cell-derived dopaminergic cells for Parkinson’s disease, Nature (2025) Watch Pablo’s interview with the University of California, Davis, Animal Science Advising Center Improving feed efficiency with the EcoFeed index reduces greenhouse gas emissions in dairy cattle, Journal of Dairy Science (2026) Effect of dose of fresh sex-sorted semen on fertility of lactating dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (2026)

If you study or work in dairy, chances are high that you’ve recently fielded a question or seen a headline about raw milk. Join us for an episode of the pod where host Matt Lucy brings together three experts from across the cow-to-consumer spectrum to work through the science of unpasteurized milk and cheese and to help us all be better communicators and stewards of the science of raw milk and risk. We’re thrilled to have two beloved return guests: 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, and Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program and Cornell Dairy Foods Center in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. The trio is joined by special new guest Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, instructor in clinical medicine, associate research scientist in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University, and host of two podcasts, This Week in Virology and This Week in Parasitism, from the American Society for Microbiology. Together, the group explores why raw milk is seeing a sudden resurgence in public interest and examines the risks from what’s happening on the farm to what happens in the human body. Despite massive advancements in milk quality, pathogens like Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can still find their way into bulk tanks. Because spot testing can’t guarantee 100% safety, Nicole explains how pasteurization steps in to eliminate these risks. Daniel then adds the human health perspective, outlining what these infections look like in patients and why certain groups face much higher stakes. The conversation covers everything from why even dairy calves drink pasteurized milk to how we can communicate clearly when public perception clashes with established science. Finally, the group connects on a shared truth: Many consumers choose raw milk out of a desire to connect with their food and local farmers. Fortunately, safety doesn’t require sacrifice—countless small, local producers offer exceptional, safe, and pasteurized dairy products that you can trust. Episode Thirty-Eight Show Notes Learn more about each of our guests and connect with them on social media: Pam Ruegg, DVM, MPMV (LinkedIn) Nicole Martin, PhD (LinkedIn) Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, (X/Twitter) and explore his work on Parasites Without Borders ADSA cares about keeping you connected to the experts andlatest science across the entire dairy spectrum. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inbox in one streamlined, monthly email. Do you have emerging data you’re hoping to publish? Save onyour 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 papers and resources discussed in theepisode: Perspective: Understanding raw milk quality and processing—Optimizing the dairy value chain from production through processing, Journal of Dairy Science (2026) The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guide to raw milk Clinical Update with Dr. Daniel Griffin, This Week in Virology podcast, episode 1308 Ask the expert: The facts about raw milk, Michigan State University Today (2026) Why Pasteurize? The Dangers of Consuming Raw Milk, Cornell University (2023)

When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 jumped from poultry to dairy cattle in 2024, it raised urgent questions about how exactly this respiratory virus found its way into milk. Our guests today, coauthors Rahul Nelli, PhD, MVM, and Todd Bell, DVM, PhD, DACVP, both from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, were at the forefront of understanding that viral load in milk was due to sialic acid receptors in the mammary glands of dairy cows, which act like docking stations for H5N1. Given that the outbreak has spilled over into other species, the team then wondered: Could the mammary tissue of other species also support H5N1 infection, potentially including humans? Their latest research, published in the Journal of Dairy Science and involving multiple institutions, examined mammary glands from pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas, and human breast tissue, finding that all contained high levels of sialic acid receptors susceptible to both avian influenza and seasonal influenza. The two discuss what these findings mean for viral transmission pathways and the human-animal interface, including that there is potential for transmission among these other domestic mammals and humans. With 71 human cases documented in the current outbreak and high viral loads detected in unpasteurized milk from infected animals, understanding these pathways becomes crucial for protecting animals, agricultural workers, and consumers. Episode Thirty-Seven Show Notes Learn more about our guests and follow them on LinkedIn: Rahul Nelli and Todd Bell. Want to connect with other researchers on the leading edge of dairy science? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this June, where you can connect directly with experts driving dairy forward. Dairy science is changing fast. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inbox in onestreamlined, monthly email. Explore the article discussed in the episode: Exploring influenza A virus receptor distribution in the lactating mammary gland of domesticated livestock and in human breast tissue, Journal of Dairy Science (February 2026) Can H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle be contained in the US?, Cell (February 2026) Sialic acid receptor specificity in mammary gland of dairy cattle infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, Emerging Infectious Diseases (July 2024)

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 Notes Learn 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!

The pod belongs to the students once again as we welcome four of our 2025 ADSA Graduate and Undergraduate Student Division winners! Each year at the ADSA Annual Meeting, top competitors in dairy production and dairy foods face off for cash prizes—and the pride that comes from developing excellence in both scientific rigor and scientific storytelling. Some of this year’s first-place winners include Mitchell T. Armstrong from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2025 Dairy Management Inc. Graduate Student Paper Presentation Contest in Dairy Foods Research), Savitha Saikumar from the University of Florida (2025 ADSA Graduate Student Division Three-Minute Thesis competition), Tessa Tauke, president of the ADSA Undergraduate Student Division (USD), from Iowa State University (2025 ADSA-USD Undergraduate Student Oral Contest in Dairy Foods), and Brooke Seelenbinder of Michigan State University (2025 ADSA-USD Undergraduate Student Oral Contest: Original Research/Independent Study). Their award-winning research spans the frontiers of dairy science, from whey protein phospholipid concentrate and bone health to postbiotic supplementation in transition cows to dietary fatty acid balancing in mid-lactation cows to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or “forever chemicals” in dairy products. Together, they share what inspired them to compete, how they prepared for high-pressure presentations, and the mentors—such as Adam Lock and Barry Bradford—who shaped their paths to the winning podium.   The group also reflects on where their degrees may take them next and how ADSA’s community and diversity, as well as the broad range of science at the Annual Meeting, have already influenced their careers. Their stories underscore why supporting emerging scientists is central to ADSA’s mission and the bright future of the dairy industry.   Episode Thirty-Five Show Notes Graduate Student Division and Undergraduate Student Division, including their robust award programs and the many benefits for student members. Connect with dairy’s next generation and refresh your scientific inspiration at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this June!  The 2026 Three-Minute Thesis Challenge is still open! Learn more and submit your science before Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT to enter this year’s competition. Read each of the winners’ 2025 abstracts: ·        Impact of whey protein phospholipid concentrate and its fraction supplementation on bone and muscle health in a weanling mouse model, 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting ·        Effects of peripartal supplementation of prototype postbiotics on blood metabolic profile and liver enzymes in transition dairy cattle, 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting ·         Effects of balancing dietary 18-carbon fatty acids from high oleic soybeans or a commercially available stearic acid-enriched supplement on milk production of mid-lactation dairy cows, 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting ·        Exploring the impacts of contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in dairy products, 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting

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 Notes Learn 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)

How might dairy science involve dancing and video games? Find out as Matt sits down with Jennifer Van Os, PhD, associate professor and extension specialist in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Jennifer’s path to dairy began in an unexpected place—human psychology—where her early love of applied science set her on a course toward solving challenges for farmers and their cows. Today, her motto, “Giving cows a voice through science,” guides her lab’s work on understanding animal welfare and developing accessible tools to improve the physical, behavioral, and social well-being of dairy cows. The two discuss one such tool, Mooving Cows, a gaming app inspired by flight simulators that allows dairy staff to practice cow-handling skills in a safe, interactive way to keep animals calm and secure during daily movements on the farm. Although she never set out to work in gaming, Jennifer explains how cow handling is like a dance, and that direct feedback from her local farming community inspired the active, hands-on learning solution. Beyond technology, Matt and Jennifer discuss broader themes of public perception of dairy welfare, industry resilience, and herd longevity. Jennifer explains why pair housing can be a win-win for both calves and farmers, and why the future of animal welfare may hinge on giving cows more agency through choice. Along the way, she shares career advice from mentors such as Cassandra Tucker and Paul Fricke, and reflects on the vital role of extension specialists in bridging science with daily farm practice to make improvements for farmers and their cows alike.   Episode Thirty-Three Show Notes Learn more about Jennifer Van Os, download the Mooving Cows game, explore other free resources from her AWS@UWM lab, and see more of Jennifer’s work on Instagram, Facebook, or X/Twitter. Curious about the latest animal welfare research and what cool new tools Jennifer’s lab might be working on? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June and submit your research during our call for abstracts, closing 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! Want a chance to speak directly with—and learn from—dairyscience experts like Jennifer? Look out for the next ADSA Discover Conference coming in fall 2026! Explore the articles discussed in the episode: Engaging dairy farming stakeholders in developing the Mooving Cows digital tool for practicing appropriate cow handling, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Thermo-physiological responses and hutch microclimate of outdoor hutch-housed dairy heifers with or without continuous ventilation during a continental summer, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Producer perceptions of dairy calf management, behavior, and welfare, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Perceptions of dairy cow–handling situations: A comparison of public and industry samples, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Public attitude toward and perceptions of dairy cattle welfare in cow-calf management systems differing in type of social and maternal contact, Journal of Dairy Science (2022) Youth and adult public views of dairy calf housing options, Journal of Dairy Science (2020) Dairy cow preference for access to an outdoor pack in summer and winter, Journal of Dairy Science (2019) Separation from the dam causes negative judgement bias in dairy calves, PLOS One (2014) Invited review: Sustainability of the US dairy industry, Journal of Dairy Science (2013) Retrieval monitoring and anosognosia in Alzheimer’s disease, Neuropsychology (2007) Injury or infection in udders of heifers may terminate in blind quarters, Journal of Dairy Science (1939) Expectation of life in dairy cows, Journal of Dairy Science (1939)

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 Notes Learn 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 episode of Dairy Digressions, host Matt Lucy welcomes Jason Lombard, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist, associate professor, and dairy systems specialist at Colorado State University, and lead author of the Journal of Dairy Science invited review, The One Health Challenges and Opportunities of the H5N1 Outbreak in Dairy Cattle in the United States. Drawing on his experience as the point person on the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreak and the learnings he gleaned from his expert coauthors on the review, Jason provides an update on the latest science we have on the virus and reviews its immense impact to date on animals, the US food supply, and people working in agriculture. He explains what the One Health concept means in practice, showing how dairy farms function as complex ecosystems where animals, humans, and environments are linked. The conversation also explores why the exact mechanisms of transmission—whether through the movement of cows, people, trucks, milk, or aerosols—remain so difficult to pin down. Beyond the science, Jason reflects on his career path from veterinary private practice to his time with the US Department of Agriculture to Colorado State University, describing how epidemiology feels like solving a crime, and how curiosity and humility in the face of what we still don’t know fuel his work. This episode offers a critical update on the H5N1 outbreak and connects breaking research with the lived realities of the dairy sector. It underscores why a One Health perspective will be essential not only in navigating H5N1 but also in strengthening the dairy and agricultural sectors for outbreaks yet to come. Episode Thirty-One Show Notes Learn more about Jason Lombard, DVM, and connect with him on LinkedIn.   Want more science on the H5N1 outbreak in dairy? Catch up on the JDS Communications special issue on highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle, and 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 and presentations discussed in theepisode: H5N1 in dairy cattle: What we have learned in the past 18 months, Hoard’s Dairyman webinar (2025) Dairy environments with milk exposure are most likely to have detection of influenza A virus, medRxiv preprint (2025) Invited review: The One Health challenges and opportunities of the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle in the United States, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) The devil you know and the devil you don’t: Current status and challenges of bovine tuberculosis eradication in the United States, Irish Veterinary Journal (2023) Bovine tuberculosis at the interface of cattle, wildlife, and humans, pages 829–846 in Tuberculosis: Integrated Studies for a Complex Disease (2023) Human-to-cattle Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex transmission in the United States, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2021) An impossible undertaking: The eradication of bovine tuberculosis in the United States, The Journal of Economic History (2004)

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 Notes Learn 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)

In the latest installment of Dairy Digressions, host Matt Lucy sits down with Barry Bradford, PhD, professor and C. E. Meadows Endowed Chair in Dairy Management and Nutrition at Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Animal Science, senior editor for the Journal of Dairy Science, and co-host of The Dairy Podcast Show. After growing up on a seedstock beef operation, Barry was drawn to dairy science because of its incredible complexity. After some gentle pressure from the renowned Don Beitz (and without ever taking a dairy science class!), Barry went to graduate school and now oversees a diverse research program focused on dairy cattle metabolic physiology and providing evidence-based dairy management tips to producers. Listeners will hear Barry’s elevator pitch on the hepatic oxidation theory, which posits that the liver may play a crucial role in appetite regulation in cows, acting as the “traffic cop” of metabolism by sending signals to a cow’s brain regarding feeding behavior. He and Matt also discuss his recent work on inflammation and nutrition during the transition period, touching on how nutrients—including rumen-protected choline and niacin—can act as signals to influence cell physiology and boost performance. Barry also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at MSU’s brand-new, state-of-the-art research dairy, and shares how the facility came to life and why university dairies are essential to advancing real world solutions for producers and the global dairy sector as a whole. From mentoring young scientists to solving on-farm challenges, Barry reflects on the moments that make the long haul of research worthwhile—and offers his best advice on finding your calling and setting the world on fire.   Episode Twenty-Nine Show Notes Learn more about Barry Bradford, PhD, and connect with him 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. Are you looking for tips on crafting your own “on fire” graphic for your next scientific paper? We’ve got you covered with tips and resources for maximizing your research’s visual appeal. Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode and takea virtual tour of MSU’s new dairy: MSU hosts tour of new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, Michigan State University (2025) Invited review: Inflammation during the transition to lactation: New adventures with an old flame, Journal of Dairy Science (2015) Effects of prenatal dietary rumen-protected cholinesupplementation during late gestation on calf growth, metabolism, and vaccine response, Journal of Dairy Science (2022) Symposium review: Fueling appetite: Nutrient metabolism and the control of feed intake, Journal of Dairy Science (2023) Effects of dietary rumen-protected choline supplementation to periparturient dairy cattle on inflammation and metabolism in mammary and liver tissue during an intramammary lipopolysaccharide challenge, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Effects of rumen-protected niacin on inflammatory response to repeated intramammary lipopolysaccharide challenges, Journal of Dairy Science (2024) Effects of rumen-protected choline supplementation on lactation performance of dairy cows: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) On-farm supplementation of rumen-protected niacin: A randomized clinical trial, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)

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 Notes Learn 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)

We’re celebrating dairy foods in the latest installment of Dairy Digressions! Host Matt Lucy sits down with two of the voices behind the recent Journal of Dairy Science special issue, “Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition.” Devoted to the latest science on dairy food nutrition, the selected articles in this issue emphasize the crucial role dairy plays in human health from infancy through adulthood. Join us with Grace Lewis, PhD, assistant professor of animal and food science and Dairy Innovation Hub Affiliate at the University of Wisconsin (UW) River Falls, Journal of Dairy Science section editor, and guest editor of the special issue, and David Everett, PhD, a principal investigator and international stakeholder–relationship manager at the Riddet Institute, incoming ADSA President, and author in the special issue. Grace introduces the special issue articles and the exciting studies happening around the dairy matrix, which is helping to usher in a new era of nutrition science. This new era recognizes that dairy can’t be reduced to its parts—we need a holistic understanding of how the interconnected matrix profoundly affects digestion, absorption, and how we fuel our bodies. Grace and David are passionate about advancing the science and spreading the story of dairy’s important part in human health. They delve into the history of dairy’s consumer perceptions and the evolving science around how we think about full-fat dairy products in particular. Milk is a whole food that delivers all essential amino acids, meaning it’s a complete protein that’s also highly digestible and a vital source of vitamins and minerals like calcium. David dives further into his article on understanding the physical structures in dairy foods that uniquely fuel the human body. He also answers our burning dairy questions, including what the true color of milk is, how we process the most valuable whey powder, and the scandalous history of margarine and butter. Finally, the group debates whether it’s okay to top your pizza with cottage cheese. Do you have a vote? Sound off in the comments on your favorite podcast platform! Episode Twenty-Seven Show Notes Learn more about Grace Lewis, PhD, and connect with her on LinkedIn, and learn more about David Everett, PhD, and connect with him on LinkedIn. Want even more of the latest dairy food science? Join us atthe 2025 ADSA Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, this 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 and presentation discussed in theepisode: Engaging today’s undergraduate students in the field of dairy science with a focus on the female student population, JDS Communications (2025) Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition—Introduction, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition—The impact of the dairy food matrix on digestion and absorption, Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition—Effect of processing infant milk formula on protein digestion and gut barrier health (in vitro and preclinical), Journal of Dairy Science (2025) Dairy Foods: A Matrix for Human Health and Precision Nutrition—The relevance of a potential bioactive ingredient; The milkfat globule membrane, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)

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 Notes Learn 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)