ADSA 2026 Recordings

Session Session_Type Science_Section Session_Date Tracking_Number Watch Abstract_Number Title Session_Order Presenting_Author Combined_Keywords Combined_Authors Abstract
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposum Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t97643 Watch 103 Compositional and microstructural strategies to improve low-fat mozzarella and Cheddar cheese functional properties. 4 R. Gari low-fat cheese,mozzarella,Cheddar,cheese functionality,dairy processing, R. Gari1 "In recognition of Professor Donald McMahon’s mentorship and guidance throughout this work, this presentation integrates 3 studies addressing critical functional, sensory, and nutritional challenges in low-fat mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses. Processing- and composition-based strategies, including curd comminution and targeted fat supplementation, were shown to substantially improve melt and flow performance of low-fat mozzarella under pizza-baking conditions. Concurrently, consumer perception research demonstrated that visual appearance (particularly color) can significantly influence product liking independent of flavor. In the third section, dietary fiber incorporation in low-fat Cheddar using double emulsion systems, with inulin exhibiting the most favorable performance, enhanced nutritional value while maintaining desirable texture. These findings provide practical, forward-looking, and industry-relevant guidance for the development of next-generation cheeses that meet evolving market demands for higher-protein, lower-fat products with excellent functionality, sensory appeal, and nutritional quality."
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t98647 Watch 104 Training a cheesemaker to be a microbiologist: Dr. McMahon’s legacy of dairy microbiology. 5 T. Oberg dairy microbiology T. Oberg1, C. Oberg2 "Microorganisms are an integral element of dairy production and processing. Starter cultures are heart of cheesemaking as they provide desirable flavor, texture and functionality to the natural cheeses. Development of dairy culture technology has a rich history at the Western Dairy Center with Don McMahon playing an integral part in this research during his career. This presentation will highlight the past, present, and future of dairy microbiology research facilitated by McMahon’s research work at the Western Dairy Center at Utah State University. Development and testing of starter cultures to address functionality in mozzarella cheese such as melt and stretch, along with moisture retention, controlled proteolysis, and fat replacement affected the cheese industry. McMahon’s role in investigating the microbiology of cheese aging, gas defects, probiotic incorporation, and selective enumeration will also be discussed."
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t98959 Watch 102 Cold gelling behavior of highly concentrated micellar casein (HC-MCC) dispersions: Structure and function relationship. 3 P. Sharma structure-function relationship,highly concentrated micellar casein concentrate (HC-MCC),thermoreversible gel P. Sharma1 "With increased awareness of health and wellness among US consumers, the growth of high-protein ready-to-drink (RTD) dairy beverage market segment is phenomenal at 14.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Most of the protein drinks include casein-rich fraction called micellar casein concentrate (MCC). Higher concentration of casein micelles (>15%) leads to formation of cold gel at low temperatures, an undesirable attribute in the high protein beverages and in standardization of milk for cheesemaking. Professor Donald McMahon was one of first researchers in the world to study the effect of cold-gelling behavior on cheesemaking characteristics. He also studied effect of calcium chelation on the cold-gelling temperature of MCC liquids, as well as the rennet-coagulation properties of cheese milk standardized with MCC. This presentation will highlight how McMahon’s findings on cold-gelling behavior have been applied to various aspects of dairy processing, including the manufacture of high-protein beverages, production of different cheese varieties, the strengthening of cold-gelling characteristics, and the creation of novel dairy structures. The author will specifically highlight how McMahon’s work in this specialized area informed and guided his own research on elucidating the mechanisms underlying thermoreversible gel formation in highly concentrated micellar casein concentrate (HC-MCC) systems."
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t97226 Watch 101 Chemical interactions among caseins during rennet coagulation of milk. 2 D. R. Sepulveda milk curds,milk gels,milk curd density,caseins interactions,rennet coagulation, D. R. Sepulveda1 "Caseins are milk proteins that assemble into colloidal structures known as casein micelles. These structures act as insoluble calcium phosphate nanocarriers, ensuring protein solubility and calcium bioaccessibility, accounting for about 10% of the volume in skim milk. The structure of the casein micelle has been the subject of intense debate over the past 60 years. In this context, the contributions of Professor McMahon have been particularly valuable in elucidating its structure, internal organization, and the interrelationships among its various constituents. It can be argued that the casein micelle is a structure of such complexity because it is designed to play a double role in a stage play in 3 acts. First, it contributes to controlling ectopic calcification and preventing amyloidosis within the secretory cell and mammary gland. Second, the kappa-casein-stabilized micelle maintains poorly soluble proteins and insoluble calcium phosphate salts suspended in an aqueous solution (whey) until reaching its biological destination, the neonate. Finally, this structure actively participates in a transformation process in which these colloidal particles reorganize into an open, extended, and highly solvated gel in the neonatal stomach, driven by rennet activity or acidic conditions, to facilitate nutrient absorption. The technical implications of this third act will be discussed in this presentation. Classical theory describes the formation of para-casein micelle strands that progressively assemble into a 3-dimensional network, leading to whey syneresis and increased gel firmness. However, experimental evidence challenges this conception, particularly in the early stages of gel formation, and suggests the need for alternative conceptual models to explain milk gel behavior. A biophysics approach linking curd structure and density, together with experimental data on chemical interactions among caseins, will be used to highlight key questions that motivate new models of casein self-assembly in milk curds."
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t98765 Watch 105 BUILD Dairy: A model for university/industry collaboration focused on workforce development and co-founded by Dr. Donald McMahon. 6 E. D. Bastian university,industry,linkage,research,workforce, E. D. Bastian1 "In 2014, the BUILD Dairy program was initiated under the direction of Dr. Donald McMahon. Though the initial program was small, it has grown into a nationally developed and recognized model for industry and university collaborations focused on developing a technical workforce for the dairy industry. Today, the BUILD Dairy Program sponsors approximately 50 graduate students working in the areas of dairy processing and technology, human nutrition, dairy foods packaging, and environmental sustainability. There are now over 130 graduates from the BUILD Dairy Program with a 60% placement in the dairy industry with the remainder mostly working in the broader food industry. Combining resources from the dairy check-off program with industry and government funds, the program is now operating with a $5.5 million annual budget. Graduates from this program are working in areas of research and development, quality assurance, technical services, technical sales and state and federal governments."
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 n9658 Watch   Symposium Introduction 1 David W. Everett, Shengguo Zhao      
Distinguished Professor Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium Symposium Donald McMahon Recognition Symposium 2026/06/21 13:00:00 t97936 Watch 100 On the stability of milk, milk proteins and salts: Changing perspectives. 1 C. Holt casein,casein micelle,food functions,hydropathy,multivalent binding, C. Holt1, J. A. Carver2 "Historically, caseins have been described as hydrophobic proteins whose interactions are driven mainly by the hydrophobic effect. However, they are unfolded proteins in intimate contact with water and hence hydrophilic. We describe the theories, methods and background knowledge needed to describe the properties of hydrophilic caseins and advance our understanding of their functions in foods. For nearly a hundred years, caseins were assumed to be hydrophobic proteins and theories of hydrophobic colloids were used to explain casein micelle stability. Casein association was likened to the that of detergents where the hydrophobic effect drives association of hydrophobic sequences and is opposed by electrostatic repulsion of phosphorylated sequences. However, evidence garnered since the 1950s established beyond reasonable doubt that caseins are fully unfolded proteins, so all the residues are exposed to the solvent. This is the historic casein paradox. A hydrophobic protein should shrink from contact with water and fold into a compact structure with an anhydrous interior. Fortunately, interest in unfolded proteins has burgeoned in the last 30 years with the realization that they comprise a major part of the proteome. Unfolded proteins are more hydrophilic than globular proteins. Some exhibit association behavior while containing few or even no hydrophobic residues due to multivalent interactions of the side chains and backbone. Many are amyloidogenic but can also act as molecular chaperones to prevent the aggregation of unfolding proteins. Some can also act as mineral chaperones to sequester nuclei of a precipitating mineral phase and prevent growth into a precipitate. The historic casein paradox is resolved if caseins are not hydrophobic proteins and their association is not driven (primarily) by the hydrophobic effect. This fundamentally changes how we should describe casein food functions or seek to remedy problems in processing including acid and rennet gelation, heat stability, drying and reconstitution, shelf life of UHT products and fouling of membranes and heat exchanger surfaces."
Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Session: Basic Physiology to Field Translation & Nutritional Management of Transitional Dairy Cows—Part II Symposium ARPAS Symposium 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98401 Watch 271 Nutritional interventions to modulate inflammatory status of transition cows. 4 B. J. Bradford haptoglobin,bioactive feeds,transition period B. J. Bradford1, H. L. Reisinger1 "A growing literature has documented transient increases in circulating positive acute-phase proteins in the week after parturition, in dairy cattle and other species. There is wide variation among dams in the magnitude and duration of this inflammatory wave, and a greater degree of inflammation has been associated with negative production, reproduction, and health outcomes in dairy cattle. The causal role of inflammation in these outcomes has been strengthened by many studies demonstrating positive health or milk production responses to peripartum administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), although not all findings have been positive. Spurred in part by responses to NSAID, numerous teams have investigated dietary tools that may modulate postpartum inflammatory tone. The primary tools tested as anti-inflammatory ingredients to date have been plant polyphenolic extracts and omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and these have altered measures of inflammation in some studies. Less intuitively, there are feeding strategies that have sought to limit inflammation by (1) reducing metabolic and oxidative stress, (2) improving gut health, and (3) enhancing immune defenses to limit the risk of full infections which trigger rampant inflammation. Each of these strategies has shown promise in certain situations, reflecting the integrative nature and complexity of inflammation biology. The field is currently lacking large-scale intervention studies to enable return-on-investment analysis, which is a barrier to adoption given the relatively high cost of many putative anti-inflammatory feed tools. From a biological perspective, many questions remain, including the key organs, cellular receptors, and molecular pathways that should be targeted to have the most impact. As our understanding of the varied causes and effects of peripartum inflammation continues to evolve, there is real potential to alter transition cow biology through targeted bioactive feed ingredients."
Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Session: Basic Physiology to Field Translation & Nutritional Management of Transitional Dairy Cows—Part II Symposium ARPAS Symposium 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98030 Watch 269 Protein and amino acid nutrition for transition cows. 2 T. R. Overton metabolizable protein,transition cow,methionine,lysine T. R. Overton1, T. A. Westhoff2, S. Mann1 "Protein and amino acid nutrition of transition cows has received much research attention over the past 30 years. Most of the initial focus was on protein and amino acid supply during the prepartum period. Meta analyses of studies focused on increasing metabolizable protein (MP) supply suggest that nulliparous animals respond to increased prepartum MP supply with consistently improved performance after parturition. Production responses of parous animals to increased prepartum MP was more mixed; however, studies with higher producing cows generally demonstrated increased milk protein yields postpartum to higher prepartum MP supply. We speculate that mixed responses of parous cows to increased prepartum MP supply may relate in part to postpartum MP strategy. The literature suggests consistent production responses of transition cows to increased methionine (Met) supply and a recent study indicated that increasing the prepartum supply of lysine (Lys) increased postpartum DMI and milk yield. More recently, research has focused on the role of increasing MP supply during the immediate postcalving period. Both proof of concept and feeding studies support the hypothesis that increasing MP supply beyond that typically provided by lactating cow diets increases milk and milk component yield during early lactation. Further, the responses to additional MP appear to be independent of Met and Lys supply in diets formulated to be adequate in these amino acids. Research is needed to refine our understanding of body protein metabolism in the transition cow along with its relationship with protein and amino acid nutrition."
Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Session: Basic Physiology to Field Translation & Nutritional Management of Transitional Dairy Cows—Part II Symposium ARPAS Symposium 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98312 Watch 270 Nutritional strategies to control energy balance of transition cows. 3 J. K. Drackley dry cow,transition period,energy,peripartal period J. K. Drackley1 "Controlling energy intake is an important aspect of transition cow nutritional management. In particular, excessive starch intake prepartum sets the cow up to mobilize more body fat after calving, with greater ketone body production and liver fat accumulation. Overfeeding energy during the dry period is also associated with more displaced abomasum and ketosis. Overfeeding starch energy during the dry period results in greater visceral fat accumulation, with the accompanying release of NEFA and adipocytokines to the liver after calving. Preventing overfeeding of energy is especially important during the far-off dry period. The NASEM (2021) guidelines calculate the energy requirement of a typical Holstein cow to be in the range of 19 to 20 Mcal/d during the closeup dry period, compared with 14 to 15 Mcal/d with the NRC (2001) system. The increase was attributable to increased maintenance costs and increased energy for pregnancy. The dietary goal should be to have the cow consume 100% ± 5% of her daily requirement. Requirements for ME are 27 to 28 Mcal/d with diets of 2.35 to 2.40 Mcal/kg. Because of the increased dietary energy calculated with NASEM (2021), typical diets consisting of corn silage and wheat straw will supply about 1.60 Mcal/kg DM, whereas the same diet evaluated by NRC (2001) would be about 1.43 Mcal/kg. Energy intake for an 800-kg closeup dry cow at 13 kg DM daily would be 20.9 Mcal, compared with 18.6 Mcal for NRC (2001). Single-diet dry cow programs can work well, where diets should contain 45% to 50% NDF and 14% to 16% starch, whereas in a 2-group dry cow system close-up diets should contain 40% to 45% NDF and 17% to 20% starch. Starch can be lowered by use of ingredients supplying large amounts of non-forage fiber, but the small particle size means that particles are not held in the rumen, with intake increasing and negating the effects of decreased starch content and dietary energy density. In areas without corn silage, diets should be high forage and meet the same energy guidelines. In TMR systems with corn silage, feeding management is critical, with uniform chopping of straw necessary to prevent sorting. The DM content of the TMR should be about 45%. Dietary energy density should be increased at calving to help minimize negative energy balance, ketosis, and displaced abomasum."
Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Session: Basic Physiology to Field Translation & Nutritional Management of Transitional Dairy Cows—Part II Symposium ARPAS Symposium 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97554 Watch 268 Practical dietary strategies for prevention of hypocalcemia. 1 J. E. P. Santos DCAD,hypocalcemia,aluminosilicate J. E. P. Santos1, R. Zimpel1, A. Vieira Neto1, M. B. Poindexter1, C. D. Nelson1,2 "Concentrations of Ca in mammals are tightly regulated because of its role as signaling molecule in numerous cellular systems. In most adult mammals, the concentrations of ionized (iCa) and total (tCa) Ca in blood remain above 1.10 and 2.10 mM, respectively. Nevertheless, the onset of lactation causes perturbations in mineral metabolism, in particular Ca, but to a lesser extent P and Mg. Extensive irreversible loss of minerals in colostrum and milk concurrent with the inability of cows to quickly adapt to changes result in a transient reduction in concentrations of Ca in blood. When concentrations of tCa are <2.0 mM in the first days of lactation, cows become more likely to develop diseases. Indeed, a close link between Ca metabolism and inflammation exist and hypocalcemia predisposes cows to inflammatory diseases and inflammation in early lactation exacerbates the negative effects of hypocalcemia on cows. In general, dietary risk factors for hypocalcemia include alkalogenic diets, particularly those high in K, but also Na; diets high in P; and diets marginal in Mg. Hypocalcemia is not related to inadequate Ca intake as prepartum diets that result in negative Ca balance increase blood tCa postpartum and reduce the risk of hypocalcemia, whereas high dietary Ca prepartum acts as an alkalogenic mineral and might predispose cows to hypocalcemia. Perhaps the most common method to prevent hypocalcemia is to feed diets with a negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) to induce a state of compensate metabolic acidosis. Such strategy affects calciotropic hormones such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol that trigger multiple mechanisms to increase whole body flux of Ca, including increased gastrointestinal absorption, bone resorption, and urinary excretion of Ca. The combined effects result in increments in iCa and tCa in blood that prevent hypocalcemia and uterine diseases and benefits milk production. In recent years, incorporation of aluminum-containing mineral sequestering agents that reduce P and Ca absorption have been shown to increase blood Ca postpartum minimizing the risk of hypocalcemia, although benefits to production and health remain unclear."
Joint ARPAS and Ruminant Nutrition Session: Basic Physiology to Field Translation & Nutritional Management of Transitional Dairy Cows—Part II Symposium ARPAS Symposium 2026/06/22 13:30:00 n9669 Watch   Panel discussion 5        
Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience Symposium Forages and Pastures 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98109 Watch 256 Maintaining persistence and productivity of perennial forages in a changing climate. 1 H. Darby perennial forage,harvest frequency,cutting height H. Darby1 "Forage species' productivity and resilience are being challenged by dramatic climatic changes. For example, the northeastern United States will experience greater variability in precipitation, including more frequent extreme rainfall events, reduced snow cover and greater winter precipitation, drier growing seasons, and increased temperatures. Farmers continue to manage their forage stands “as normal” likely because they have limited information and reason to do otherwise. Based on our research we have found variety selection as well as attention to harvest practices can improve forage productivity and resilience to climatic extremes. Research from 2015 to 2025 evaluated perennial forage species and variety performance over a variety of weather extremes. Dry matter yields of grass species at first cut ranged from 1.73 to 5.24 MT ha−1. Within species, varieties differed in dry matter yield by as much as 2.55 MT ha−1. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD30) between varieties of the same species ranged from 63.0% to 88.8%. Because forage quality is significantly affected by grass maturity, heading dates were recorded annually. Heading dates ranged from May 17 to June 7, and in-species differences were as large as 14 d. From 2022 to 2025 a trial compared forage yield, quality, and regrowth rate when cut at heights of 3.81, 7.62, and 15.2 cm. Dry matter yields were reduced by 7% when cutting height increased from 3.81 to 7.62 cm but forage fiber digestibility increased by 5%. Harvest at 30 and 34 d intervals produced higher yield and NDFD30h compared with a 38 d interval. However, shorter harvest intervals reduced overall stand densities over a 3-year period. Harvesting at the appropriate height and frequency can increase productivity, quality, and longevity of the stand, but at either extreme can lead to low productivity, persistence, or quality by exhausting forage species or using resources inefficiently. Additional research under current climatic conditions is needed to help farmers make informed decisions that will protect farm viability and build long-term resiliency."
Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience Symposium Forages and Pastures 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98058 Watch 258 Selecting corn hybrids for silage performance and optimizing relationships between yield and quality in variable growing seasons. 3 J. R. Lawrence forage systems,growing environment,corn silage J. R. Lawrence1 "Corn silage (CS) inclusion rates in dairy cattle diets have increased considerably in recent decades, particularly in climate regions which facilitate the use of homegrown forages as the base of feeding programs. Increased reliance on CS for economically and environmentally efficient milk production in these climate regions also presents risk. Balancing the opportunities and risk of high reliance on CS requires a wholistic management approach in dairy cattle feeding programs. Advances in corn hybrid genetics are credited with tremendous gains in corn grain yields. Although genetic selection for specific characteristics contribute to these gains, changes to the overall cropping systems are credited with allowing yields to move closer to the plants’ genetic potential. As a feed ingredient, the goal of silage production combines feed value and yield (quality × quantity). Although hybrid trait selection and agronomic management are also critical to overall CS performance, when comparing a common set of hybrids, growing environment and forage management have a greater effect on key dairy nutritional metrics than plant genetics. Available water during the growing season influences both quality and quantity and in rain-fed systems, variability in precipitation patterns presents one of the greatest challenges. Low rainfall seasons are correlated with improved fiber digestibility, but in more extreme cases, can lower yields and decrease forage energy value by affecting ear development. High rainfall is associated with reduced fiber digestibility and in more extreme cases, affects the timing of field operations leading to planting and harvest challenges which affect CS quality and quantity. Soil management, including opportunities on dairies facilitated by manure nutrient cycling; hybrid selection for pest tolerance, stress tolerance and matching relative maturity to local growing environments; and attention to harvest management practices are key areas where management has the opportunity to mitigate risk associated with optimizing CS utilization."
Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience Symposium Forages and Pastures 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98725 Watch 259 Strategies to manage feed variability. 4 J. A. Barrientos-Blanco forage variability,sampling practice,monitoring forage J. A. Barrientos-Blanco1, K. F. Reed2 "There are many sources of variation in forage feeds including environmental and management conditions during growing, forage genetics, harvest and storage practices, and management of feed-out. A better understanding of the sources and expected magnitude of forage variability can optimize sampling and monitoring practices to improve accuracy of delivered diets. The extent and source of variation vary with nutrient and nutrient within forage. For example, in a recent New York study, silo-to-silo variation within-farm was the largest source of NDF and starch variation in corn silage and of NDF and CP variation in haylage. The day-to-day and field-to-field variation within-farm demonstrate the need to sample individual silos of corn silage and alfalfa-grass haylage over time. The optimal frequency of sampling depends the extent of variation within a silo and the rate of feed out among other factors. Quality control charts are one tool that can be used to monitor and manage forage variation but the optimal implementation of these methods requires an initial understanding of farm conditions and extent of forage variation. In a case study of 8 New York farms, we found an optimal sampling schedule of collecting 2 forage samples every 2 to 5 d. With this information, we predicted that a median diet reformulation interval of 14 d from component changes of corn silage and 16 d for alfalfa-grass haylage would lead to improved diet accuracy. In a following unpublished crossover design study, we measured the impact of implementing optimal sampling and monitoring practices for corn silage and alfalfa-grass haylage on accuracy of delivered diets, milk production, DMI, and feed efficiency (FE). During the 16-wk trial, the experimental protocol recommends 13 diet adjustments with a median interval of 8 d between adjustments. In contrast, the control protocol diet was reformulated 5 times with median interval of 22 d. A generalized additive mixed-model analysis showed a tendency increase on milk yield by 1.07 pounds (P = 0.1) when cows were under the treatment protocol. The DMI and FE were not significantly different between protocols. These preliminary results suggest that management of forage variation may improve diet accuracy and milk yield but more work is needed to identify precision feeding practices that can be applied on farms. At a minimum, individual forage silos should be sampled 1× per month or every 2 weeks in duplicate throughout the feed out period."
Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience Symposium Forages and Pastures 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97517 Watch 257 Managing forage production under heat stress and intense rainfall events. 2 D. Jaramillo resilience,forage quality,extreme weather D. Jaramillo1 "Forages are the backbone for livestock feed production throughout the world, not only because they can be produced at lower costs relative to other feeds, but also because of the wide range in adapted species available to producers. Morphological and physical adaptations allow forage species to persist and produce of a range of environmental conditions. Because genetic factors are involved in the control of the range of adaptability, forage species and varieties are selected and bred to produce to a defined ecoregion. For forage producers, this is highly beneficial, as this lends to the availability of productive forage genotypes designed to withstand the growing conditions of a given ecoregion. However, the success of a given forage crop is often predicated upon the environmental conditions during the production phase, especially temperature and moisture. Temperature plays a central role in regulating most of a plant’s physiological functions. These functions include photosynthesis, cell wall formation, respiration, and nutrient translocation. Similarly, water is an essential resource for plants, comprising more than 80% of the entire tissue. Too much water, however, can be detrimental to forage crops, as excess water in the soil can result in stand loss through oxygen inhibition. Forage production under high ambient temperatures and high rainfall conditions poses challenges to forage producers. These challenges include increased harvest delays, decreases in forage nutritive value and production potential, pest and disease pressure, as well as machinery effects on crop fields. Understanding these risks is key for developing adaptive management strategies for mitigating the effects of forage production under adverse conditions. These strategies are essential for developing resilient systems capable of producing forage in sustainable manners."
Forages and Pastures Symposium: Sustainable Forage Production—A Management Perspective on Climate Resilience Symposium Forages and Pastures 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98741 Watch 260 Managing quality and feeding compromised crops to dairy cattle. 5 L. F. Ferraretto silage,dairy cow,compromised crops L. F. Ferraretto1 "Dairy cattle diets rely primarily on forages and thus, adequate forage management targeting maximum quality is imperative for optimal farm profitability and sustainability. However, producers face a myriad of challenges to produce, harvest, and store forages optimally. Some of these challenges are associated with abnormal weather patterns which limit growing conditions, crop development, and silage fermentation, thereby increasing dry matter and nutrient losses and promoting contamination with undesirable microorganisms and mycotoxins, ultimately reducing the nutritive value of ensiled forages and their utilization by dairy cows. Some areas experienced abnormally wet spring conditions, delayed or even prevented corn planting for many producers, forcing a scenario where harvesting occurred under adverse conditions, such as excessive rain and flooding, or cold and freezing conditions. Others experienced different degrees of droughts or excessive rainfall combined with average to high temperatures, increasing the risk for pathogen overgrowth, diseases, and the presence of yeasts and molds. Feeding compromised, damaged, and low-quality crops to dairy cows requires careful management to prevent digestive issues, drops in intake and maintain milk production. Key strategies include testing for mold/mycotoxins, blending with higher-quality forages, discarding heavily molded feed, while using silage and diet additives to stabilize rumen health."
Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane - Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Dairy Phospholipid-Rich Ingredients Symposium Dairy Foods 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97236 Watch 251 The milk fat globule membrane—Recent technological advances in the milk fat globule membrane– and dairy phospholipid–rich ingredients. 1 R. Jimenez-Flores milk fat globule membrane,gut-brain axis,dairy foods,human health R. Jimenez-Flores1 "In this presentation, we will explore the development of our understanding of the function and composition of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Significant advancements in the early 1970s and 1980s provided a comprehensive understanding of MFGM and its pivotal role in lactogenesis. Notably, the pioneers in this research were members of the American Dairy Science Association. Today, the MFGM is recognized as a complex structure enveloping the surface of fat globules within mammalian milk. Remarkably, its composition remains remarkably consistent across all mammalian species. The structure of the MFGM during lactogenesis is fundamental to its function. However, we will delve into the contemporary technological advancements that facilitate its isolation and utilization as a crucial component of milk. The MFGM is enriched with bioactive compounds, including phospholipids, glycoproteins, and sphingolipids. Recent research underscores its significant contribution to human health, particularly in infant nutrition. It plays a vital role in cognitive development, immune function, and gastrointestinal health. Moreover, the most recent research indicates that MFGM is essential for infant cognitive development and has demonstrated potential for other functions within the gut-brain axis."
Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane - Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Dairy Phospholipid-Rich Ingredients Symposium Dairy Foods 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97817 Watch 253 Functionality of whey protein phospholipid concentrate. 3 B. Vardhanabhuti whey protein phospholipid concentrate,emulsification,solubility,acidified beverages B. Vardhanabhuti1 "Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC), a co-product from whey protein manufacturing, contains high protein content (~60%–70%) and phospholipids yet remains underutilized despite its potential functionality. This study systematically investigated the functional properties of commercial WPPC samples to elucidate their potential in food applications. WPPC samples from multiple manufacturers were evaluated for compositional and structural properties. Functional characterization included solubility, emulsification properties, and performance in acidified dairy systems. Solubility studies examined pH (3–8) and heat treatment (88°C, 10 min) effects on WPPC dispersions. Compositional and structural properties were assessed. Unheated samples exhibited maximum solubility (77.2%–92.4%) at pH 8 and minimum (30.1%–41.4%) at pH 4. Heat treatment reduced solubility at pH 5 to 7, shifting minimum solubility to pH 5, while pH 3 samples showed enhanced solubility after heating. Significant source-dependent differences were observed. Emulsification properties were evaluated in oil-in-water emulsions (0.5%–5% wt/wt protein, 5%–50% wt/wt oil, pH 3–8). Emulsions formed at pH 4 exhibited significantly larger mean droplet diameters (D4,3: 1.15–5.94 µm) compared with other pH values (0.42–0.67 µm). Increasing protein concentration decreased D4,3 and improved stability. All emulsions except those at pH 4 remained stable through 14-d storage. Performance in model drinking yogurt systems (8% wt/wt protein, heated 90°C/40 min) with glucono-delta-lactone acidification (0.15%–0.35%) revealed significant source and acidification level effects on particle sizes and rheological properties. Samples near the isoelectric point (pH 5.2) exhibited enhanced aggregation. These findings demonstrate that WPPC exhibits versatile functionality across diverse food applications. Source-dependent variations suggest compositional and structural differences impact functionality. These results position WPPC as a promising clean label, multifunctional ingredient that valorizes dairy industry byproducts while meeting consumer demand for sustainable, functional ingredients."
Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane - Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Dairy Phospholipid-Rich Ingredients Symposium Dairy Foods 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98287 Watch 254 WPPC at the interface of function and health: Heat-induced protein interactions, bioactivity, and choline delivery. 4 G. Ozturk whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC),milk fat globule membrane (MFGM),dairy phospholipids,thermal processing,protein–lipid interactions,choline bioavailability G. Ozturk1 "Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) is an underutilized coproduct of whey protein isolate manufacture that is enriched in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins, phospholipids, whey proteins, and nutrients such as choline. Although WPPC contains multiple bioactive components, its functionality and nutritional potential are strongly influenced by processing history. Thermal processing during WPPC manufacture promotes protein–lipid interactions at the fat globule interface. Our work examines how these heat-induced associations between whey proteins and MFGM components alter aggregation behavior, protein solubility, and microstructure, which in turn influence the efficiency of downstream fractionation and recovery of valuable components such as phospholipids and MFGM proteins. Understanding these processing-induced structural changes is critical for developing more effective fractionation strategies and improving recovery of high-value bioactive components. Beyond its functional and structural attributes, WPPC also has growing relevance as a dietary ingredient for human health. WPPC is naturally enriched in phosphatidylcholine and related choline-containing lipids. Choline is an essential nutrient involved in lipid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and methyl group donation, yet intake remains inadequate in much of the population, particularly among post-menopausal women. Ongoing work in our group is evaluating WPPC-derived choline in human nutrition, including its bioavailability and safety in post-menopausal women. Together, these perspectives position WPPC as a bridge between dairy processing and human health, illustrating how understanding structure and functionality can support both improved fractionation strategies and meaningful nutritional applications."
Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane - Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Dairy Phospholipid-Rich Ingredients Symposium Dairy Foods 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97243 Watch 252 Processing of WPPC. 2 M. Ramanathan whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC),WPC,whey protein concentrate,MFGM M. Ramanathan1 "Over the evolution of dairy processing, most if not all of the large scale cheese manufacturers started processing the whey protein to maximize the value out of the milk procured. With the recent advancements in understanding of benefits of whey protein products, market demands are continuously increasing. Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) is an emerging dairy ingredient produced through the controlled recovery of phospholipid-rich fractions in combination with functional whey proteins. Advances in dairy fractionation and membrane processing have enabled the development of WPPC as a unique ingredient stream, offering opportunities to increase the value of whey while leveraging existing processing infrastructure. Generally WPPC is a co-product of whey protein isolate manufacturing but often overlooked. With the intense increase in market demand for WPI, its essential to understand the manufacturing process of WPPC to get the maximum benefits of both streams. Production of WPPC involves careful selection of upstream process, optimization of membrane filtration and concentration steps, and integration of downstream processing and drying operations. Integration of WPPC into existing whey processing plants introduces considerations related to stream segregation, scheduling, and capacity utilization. Together, these manufacturing factors define the feasibility, reliability, and economic performance of WPPC at commercial scale."
Dairy Management Inc. Symposium: The Milk Fat Globule Membrane - Recent Technological Advances in the Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Dairy Phospholipid-Rich Ingredients Symposium Dairy Foods 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97897 Watch 255 Functionality and flavor in beverage applications. 5 M. A. Drake protein beverages,whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) M. A. Drake1, D. M. Barbano2 "Protein beverages remain in high demand by consumers. Nutritional benefits beyond protein content are also desirable while heat induced protein aggregation and gelation with storage remain challenges. Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) offers additional nutritional benefits to protein beverages. Thermal stability, sensory properties and consumer perception of protein beverages with WPPC will be discussed."
Lactation Biology Symposium: The New Era of High Components - How Can We Increase Milk Protein in Accordance with Milk Fat Symposium Lactation Biology 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t98961 Watch 164 Current and future considerations for improving milk protein. 4 K. J. Harvatine   K. J. Harvatine1, C. Dechow1 "Both milk fat and protein concentrations and yields have been increasing in Holsteins, but recent gains have been greater for milk fat than protein. Our understanding of the regulation of milk fat synthesis and strategies to increase it have advanced greatly over the past 25 years. These gains have been assisted by both the greater involvement of environmental regulation and the ability to consistently induce large changes more conducive to interrogation by molecular methods. Milk protein has been more difficult from both applied and basic perspectives. The presentation will first explore the magnitude of variation in milk protein between cows and herds and changes across stages of lactation and seasons to understand the potential of both genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. The lower variation in milk protein than fat likely indicates that regulation is more tightly associated with mechanisms shared with lactose synthesis. Experimentally, milk protein is responsive to both amino acid supplementation and modification of energy signaling. Positive effects of insulin are most extensively studied, although it is likely an indirect mechanism. Increasing milk protein concentration and rebalancing the fat to protein ratio will require disconnecting milk protein from lactose synthesis without substantially changing milk fat synthesis."
Lactation Biology Symposium: The New Era of High Components - How Can We Increase Milk Protein in Accordance with Milk Fat Symposium Lactation Biology 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t99008 Watch 162 How dairy products are made and why milk protein and protein to fat ratio is critical. 1 D. M. Barbano milk composition,fat concentration,cheese D. M. Barbano1 "Historically, the composition of milk received at dairy plants in various regions of the US has varied seasonally, while there was very little change in annual mean fat and protein concentration within regions for a period of 50 years, with an average of about 3.7% in the Northeast US and 3.0 to 3.05% true protein. Milk composition started to change in 2010 with a steady increase in regional average fat concentration in the Northeast to about 4.3% in 2025, while the true protein increased less than fat, from around 3.05 to 3.25%. That trend is continuing and seems to be accelerating. The ratio of casein (protein) to fat in milk is important for production of aged cheeses, particularly Cheddar. Prior to 2010 the milk supply had a relatively constant casein to fat (C/F) ratio of about 0.67 to 0.68. However, since 2010 milk C/F ratio decreased to about 0.63 and continues to decrease. These changes have not been due to a change in breed in the region, but an increase in milk fat concentration across the population, particularly for Holsteins due to a combination of genetic improvement and feeding management. Aged Cheddar cheese has been traditionally made from whole milk without any standardization of C/F ratio, however the change in C/F ratio in the milk causes aged Cheddar cheese fat concentration to increase, moisture to decrease, and salt in the moisture to increase. This has a negative impact on cheese flavor development during aging and the slicing properties of natural cheese. As result, aged Cheddar cheese makers have had to purchase cream separators and ultrafiltration equipment to adjust milk C/F ratio prior to cheese making and learn how to integrate that technology into their pretreatment of milk for Cheddar cheese manufacture. This has been challenging, but cheese makers are trying to adapt. The question is when is milk composition going to stop changing, where will it stop, and how will this impact cheese flavor and slicing? Production animal scientists are now focused on increasing milk protein concentration to bring protein back into balance with fat for cheese making. Time will tell the extent of their success. But beware. Increasing protein concentration will make another change in milk properties that will influence other dairy products, particularly ultrafiltered milk. If the protein concentration is increased to balance the higher fat, the ratio of protein and protein bound mineral to lactose and soluble mineral in milk will change. If raw milk and skim milk protein concentrations are higher, then a milk ultrafiltration process to increase protein to 5.6% protein or higher for production of milk protein beverages will remove less lactose and soluble mineral and that may decrease heat stability of milk protein in aseptic milk protein beverages. Research will be needed to adapt our dairy products and processing technology to handle the new composition of milk produced by modern dairy farms."
Lactation Biology Symposium: The New Era of High Components - How Can We Increase Milk Protein in Accordance with Milk Fat Symposium Lactation Biology 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t98408 Watch 163 How do mammary cells make milk protein: Process and control. 2 M. Hanigan lactation,metabolism,regulation,amino acid,energy,protein synthesis M. Hanigan1 "Protein synthesis is a highly conserved process essential for cell survival. Because some of the amino acids (AA) required for protein synthesis cannot be synthesized in mammalian species, they must be provided in the diet. To ensure provision of those AA as well as many other essential nutrients, mammals have evolved to provide food for young progeny via secretion of milk. Thus, mammary cells synthesize constitutive and export protein. Protein synthesis involves transport of AA and energy substrates from blood into cells, binding of the AA to cognate tRNA, alignment of loaded tRNA at the ribosome, formation of peptide bounds between adjacent AA, processing the resulting polymer to form secondary and tertiary structure, and export of the final protein molecules into the alveolar lumen. Substantial energy is used to catalyze AA transport, load tRNA, form peptide bonds, and synthesize mRNA and tRNA molecules. It has been estimated that 2/3 of the total ATP generated in the tissue is used in support of protein synthesis. It is not surprising given the critical need to synthesize protein and the large nutritional investment in the process that protein synthesis is highly regulated. Rates of polypeptide initiation and elongation at the ribosomes are controlled by at least 2 signaling pathways that sense the relative abundance of intracellular AA, the availability of ATP, and external signals conveyed by insulin and insulin-like growth factors. These signals are integrated into a common set of regulatory factors that interact with the ribosomes to control the overall rates of protein synthesis as well as differentially regulate cell survival protein synthesis. To minimize imbalances among the AA and limitations in AA supply under conditions of strong signaling from energy and hormonal sensors, AA transporters are also regulated in response to concentrations of loaded tRNA. Finally, α-lactalbumin acts as a subunit of the lactose synthase enzyme providing relatively tight linkage between lactose and milk protein production rates. Because lactose is the primary osmotic pull for fluid import, this linkage limits the variation in milk protein concentrations in milk."
Lactation Biology Symposium: The New Era of High Components - How Can We Increase Milk Protein in Accordance with Milk Fat Symposium Lactation Biology 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t99001 Watch 165 The role of genetic improvement in meeting consumer demand for milk protein. 5 J. W. Durr genetic selection,milk protein,phenotyping J. W. Durr1, A. Ling1, J. B. Cole1,2 "Genetic selection for improved milk solids in US dairy cattle has been extremely successful. The first USDA selection index to include butterfat was introduced in 1971, and crude protein was added in 1976. The April 2025 revision of the Lifetime Net Merit index places 36% of selection emphasis on combined fat and protein. Over that time, protein production by Holsteins increased from 203 kg/yr to 408 kg/yr. The rate of genetic gain between 1971 and 1981 was 1.36 kg/yr, increasing to 4.89 kg/yr between 2013 and 2023. This dramatic increase is due largely to the introduction of genomic selection in 2009, which has doubled the rate of genetic gain for many traits, as well as changes in selection objectives. Genetics and management do not exist independently, and high genetic merit and exceptional herd management both are necessary. In 1971, virtually all observed gains in protein yield (~95%) were attributable to feeding and management. In 2023, genetic merit was responsible for 72% of gains in protein production. Although selection for protein has historically focused on total protein, there is potential for the development of more sophisticated selection objectives. Some casein variants, such as the A2 variant of β-casein, are alleged to have desirable human health benefits and genetic tests to determine which alleles a cow carries are widely available. κ-Casein and β-lactoglobulin genotypes have been associated with desirable manufacturing properties. Several phenotypes related to cheesemaking have been studied, including measures of coagulation, curd firmness, cheese yield, time needed for coagulation and to attain curd firmness, and nutrient recovery in the curd. While large-scale phenotyping is still a challenge, mid-infrared spectroscopy has the potential to reduce costs and increase the number of animals contributing data for potential genetic evaluations. Methodology for including these traits in economic selection indices are available, but economic incentives are currently lacking. The availability of better selection goals may help dairy producers capture more value from their milk by providing greater value to processors."
Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Concepts and Strategies to Improve Physiological Resilience to Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97975 Watch 272 Understanding heat stress resilience in dairy cows. 1 Y. Jiang heat stress,dairy cows,resilience Y. Jiang1, J. Laporta1, L. Ferraretto1, S. Tao2 "Heat stress is a major environmental constraint on the global dairy industry, negatively affecting milk production, health, reproduction, and animal welfare. Holstein dairy cows have been genetically selected for high milk yield; however, their elevated metabolic rate and associated heat production make them particularly susceptible to heat stress. Despite the widespread use of cooling strategies such as shade, fans, and sprinklers, economic losses attributed to heat stress in lactating dairy cows are estimated to exceed $1.2 billion annually. These losses underscore the need to better understand heat stress resilience and to develop effective strategies that enhance resilience, thereby supporting animal longevity, welfare, and the sustainability of dairy production systems. Baseline production level, genetic background, and traits such as the slick hair coat are recognized factors influencing heat stress tolerance. Beyond these factors, we observed substantial individual variation in responses to heat stress among Holstein cows managed under the same conditions. Specifically, some cows exhibit greater resilience, characterized by smaller increases in body temperature and minimal reductions in milk yield and feed intake compared with their cohorts. Identifying the physiological and biological characteristics that distinguish heat stress–resilient cows from more susceptible individuals is therefore critical. One possible explanation is that resilient cows differ in their metabolic and immune responses to thermal challenge. Improved understanding of the biological basis of heat stress resilience will aid in identifying resilient animals and in developing targeted nutritional and management strategies to maintain productivity and animal welfare under heat stress."
Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Concepts and Strategies to Improve Physiological Resilience to Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97675 Watch 273 Mitigating perinatal heat stress: Strategies to enhance calf resilience. 2 J. Laporta hyperthermia,programming,cooling,youngstock J. Laporta1 "The perinatal period represents a critical window in dairy calf management that spans late gestation through early postnatal life, encompassing the final weeks of fetal development, birth, and the pre-weaning phase. (±2 mo relative to birth). During this time, rapidly developing physiological systems—including thermoregulation, immune function, metabolism, and organ growth—are highly sensitive to environmental stressors. Heat stress during late gestation alters placental function and nutrient delivery, leading to long-lasting consequences for calf growth, immune competence. Calves exposed to prenatal heat stress are consistently born lighter, exhibit impaired passive immune transfer, altered thermoregulatory capacity, and show reduced growth and performance that can persist into adulthood and leading to less productive cows. Although the prenatal environment establishes the foundation for postnatal performance, the pre-weaning period represents another equally important programming window. Early-life management has the capacity to either exacerbate or mitigate the negative effects of perinatal heat stress. Exposure to thermal stress during the neonatal period places additional strain on immature thermoregulatory and immune systems, increasing disease susceptibility and compromising growth during a phase when lean tissue accretion and organ development are prioritized. Conversely, strategic interventions during the pre-weaning period can enhance resilience by supporting immune maturation, metabolic adaptation, and thermal tolerance. This symposium presentation will focus on heat abatement strategies designed to protect calves before and after birth, emphasizing practical approaches to reduce heat load during the perinatal period. Evidence supporting improved immune function, enhanced thermoregulation, and improved outcomes when heat abatement strategies are implemented during late gestation and early life will be presented. By integrating prenatal and postnatal management, these strategies offer a pathway to improve calf resilience and boost long-term productivity in the face of increasing thermal stress challenges."
Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Concepts and Strategies to Improve Physiological Resilience to Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t97658 Watch 274 Effects of heat stress and cannabinoid-2 receptor activation on immune function in dairy cows. 3 M. Zachut heat stress,immune,cannabinoid M. Zachut1, B. J. Bradford2, L. Hubner1,3, Y. Butenko1, P. Dos Santos1, Silva1,3 "Environmental heat load (HL) elicits dysregulation of immune function in dairy cows, associated with suboptimal health and production performance. To further explore how cooling management may affect the immune response, we examined the effects of 2 levels of intensity of cooling management (soakers and fans) on the inflammatory response to an intra-mammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenge in mid-lactation cows under HL. Cows that participated in cooling sessions 3±/d had stronger inflammatory and stress responses than cows that were cooled 6±/d. Then, we explored a new strategy to improve the inflammatory response of cows, by activating the cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2) in immune cells. The physiological endocannabinoid system (ECS) in mammals regulates metabolism, immune function and stress responses; specifically, the CB2 receptor is highly expressed in immune cells, and its activation exerts mostly anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in rodents. Thus, we hypothesized that targeted CB2 activation could improve immune function in dairy cows under HL. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we supplemented a selective CB2 agonist, β-caryophyllene (BCP), and examined inflammatory responses under HL. Cows that were orally supplemented with BCP showed increased resting time, lower peak fever, lower blood monocyte percentages and increased mean platelet volume and mass post-LPS versus controls. Moreover, BCP-supplemented cows had altered blood proportions of several endocannabinoid-related compounds post-LPS compared with controls. In vitro, incubating bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells with BCP downregulated the expression of CB2 and of inflammatory genes post-LPS and altered the immune-related proteome in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Together, the degree of HL affects the immune and stress responses to an inflammatory challenge, and CB2 activation may elicit moderate anti-inflammatory and stress-mitigating properties, suggesting a novel ECS-based immune-modulatory strategy that could improve resilience to HL in dairy cows. Further studies are required to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and to validate these findings."
Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Concepts and Strategies to Improve Physiological Resilience to Heat Stress in Dairy Cows Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/22 13:30:00 t98193 Watch 275 Physiological and molecular responses to heat stress: Modulatory roles of amino acids and plant polyphenols in dairy cow resilience. 4 V. Lopreiato heat stress,resilience,one-carbon metabolism,amino acids,plant polyphenols, V. Lopreiato1, L. Liotta1, J. J. Loor2 "Heat stress (HS) in dairy cattle disrupts homeostasis and thermoregulation, negatively affecting milk production, health, and metabolism. Dairy cows are particularly susceptible to HS due to long-term genetic selection for high milk yield, which increases metabolic heat production per unit of feed consumed. As global warming intensifies, improving resilience to HS requires not only effective management strategies but also a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. Beyond reduced feed intake and milk yield, HS induces profound systemic and cellular responses involving endocrine regulation, immune function, oxidative balance, and energy metabolism. At the systemic level, compared with pair-fed cows, HS led to elevated circulating insulin and reduced NEFA concentrations, indicating that HS alters metabolic regulation rather than inducing a classical negative energy balance. In parallel, HS promotes a state of low-grade inflammation closely associated with oxidative stress, key components of HS-induced loss of resilience. At the molecular level, HS is associated with extensive remodeling of gene networks related to mitochondrial function, inflammation, antioxidant defenses, and amino acid metabolism. Functional amino acids are increasingly recognized as modulators of immunometabolic responses. Amino acids involved in one-carbon metabolism, such as methionine, support transsulfuration pathways and glutathione synthesis, thereby contributing to redox balance and immune regulation. Alongside amino acids, plant polyphenols have gained attention as nutritional modulators of HS responses, improving thermoregulatory efficiency, phagocytic activity of innate immune cells, and antioxidant capacity while attenuating inflammatory responses. Activation of Nrf2 signaling, leading to increased glutathione availability, represents a key mechanism through which plant polyphenols reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Targeted nutritional strategies based on functional amino acids and plant polyphenols appear achievable in the short to medium term and, alongside genetic selection for heat tolerance, may help maintain health, metabolic stability, and productivity during periods of environmental heat stress."
Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Genomics of Dairy Cattle Behavior and Well-Being Symposium Animal Behavior and Well-Being 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t97822 Watch 150 From welfare science to practical phenotypes: Guiding dairy genetic improvement. 1 J. Van Os animal welfare,behavioral genetics,ethics J. Van Os1, F. Peñagaricano1 "Welfare is an ethical concept describing an animal’s quality of life. Discussions of genetic improvement to welfare require not only scientific and practical considerations, but also ethical and philosophical ones. Welfare refers to the subjective internal state of an individual, ranging from negative to positive. Many welfare scientists prioritize inferences about underlying affective (emotional) states, while considering the interplay with biological functioning and the ability to fulfill behavioral needs. Genetic improvement has largely focused on biological functioning: productive and reproductive traits, resistance or susceptibility to diseases, and thermotolerance, among others; these represent areas of further opportunity. Less clear are the welfare implications of genetic selection for behavioral expression and affective states. Gene editing could accelerate the prevalence of hornlessness (a naturally occurring phenotype), replacing painful disbudding; social science research suggests public support for this tool when used to directly benefit animal welfare. As with initial domestication, interest continues in temperament selection for handling ease (scored with subjective scales), or for related reductions in aggression, fearfulness, or stress responses. An important methodological factor when measuring behavioral phenotypes is inter-observer reliability. Rapid development in precision technologies may enable large-scale, automated data collection to inform selection decisions, but these tools must be rigorously validated. Furthermore, a scientific and ethical challenge is that cattle with dampened responses may still experience negative affective states (i.e., stoicism). Also, recent animal welfare discourse has moved beyond alleviating suffering to providing opportunities for positive welfare, and it is unclear how genetic selection could promote the latter. Ultimately, welfare is a state not a trait and thus cannot be improved solely through selection; it is ethically imperative to also prioritize good animal care practices. This is especially important since selection focuses on future generations, while improving housing, management, and handling can immediately impact current welfare."
Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Genomics of Dairy Cattle Behavior and Well-Being Symposium Animal Behavior and Well-Being 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t97983 Watch 153 Genomic selection meets sensor data. 5 N. Deeb sensor data,automatic milking system,feed efficiency,heat resilience,genomic evaluation, N. Deeb1, P. Khanal1, J. Johnson1, V. Ribeiro1, I. Kukor1, P. Ross1 "The rapid adoption of precision dairy technologies has generated unprecedented volumes of high-frequency phenotypic data, enabling genomic selection to expand beyond conventional production traits. Here we describe an integrated genomic framework leveraging automatic milking system (AMS) data, feed-intake phenotypes, and intraruminal sensors. Using large-scale AMS data, milkability traits relevant to milking throughput were evaluated, including milking speed (MS), effective milking speed (EMS), box time (BT), and milking time (MT). Using AMS records collected since 2019, heritability estimates were moderate to high for MS (0.53 ± 0.02), EMS (0.36 ± 0.02), BT (0.44 ± 0.02), and MT (0.43 ± 0.02). High heritabilities and reliabilities, supported by farm-independent cross-validation, demonstrated robust genomic prediction across environments, enabling early-life selection of AMS-adapted animals. Pre-attachment scanning further provided udder structural and functional traits, including udder balance (UB, 0.31 ± 0.02), teat orientation (TO, 0.60 ± 0.02), and teat length (TL, 0.14 ± 0.01). Feed efficiency phenotypes were modeled using RFI for Holstein heifers and cows within the EcoFeed program. RFI was calculated from over 7,500 heifers and 3,500 cows, with heritabilities of 0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.26 ± 0.03. The genetic correlation for RFI between life stages was 0.37 ± 0.04. Heat resilience was evaluated using continuous rumen temperature measurements collected with FarmFit intraruminal boluses, with responses to environmental heat load capturing genetic differences in thermal sensitivity and recovery. Across sensor technologies, these phenotypes provide scalable data depth, meaningful heritability, and actionable genomic predictability. Integrating complementary sensor streams enables precision breeding strategies that improve milking performance, reduce feed costs, and enhance resilience, aligning selection with the operational and environmental realities of modern dairy production."
Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Genomics of Dairy Cattle Behavior and Well-Being Symposium Animal Behavior and Well-Being 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t98145 Watch 151 Genomics of dairy cattle behavior: Opportunities for optimizing dairy cattle breeding programs in the phenomics era. 2 L. F. Brito cattle behavior,milking efficiency,calf behavior,genomic selection,novel traits, L. F. Brito1 "Precision livestock farming technologies are rapidly expanding the scope, scale, and objectivity of behavioral phenotypes in dairy production systems, creating new opportunities to genetically improve dairy cattle welfare, health, and efficiency through genomic selection. Sensor-derived data streams have enabled routine phenotyping of complex behavioral traits, but widespread implementation requires harmonized trait definitions, rigorous trait validation, robust data governance, and scalable genetic evaluation pipelines capable of integrating multisource information. In this talk, I will synthesize key challenges and opportunities associated with the use of sensor and automation technologies to genetically modify dairy cattle behavior to improve welfare under specific production environments. I will discuss approaches for deriving novel behavioral traits and estimating their genetic parameters, including heritabilities and genetic correlations with other economically and biologically relevant traits, as well as practical pathways for incorporating behavior into dairy cattle selection goals within a phenomics framework, including ethical considerations. For example, analyses of automated milking system records demonstrated that multiple indicators of robotic milking efficiency are heritable, with estimates of heritability up to 0.46 and meaningful genetic correlations among traits such as milking time, milking interval, milking success rate, and preference consistency. Extending behavioral genomics to early life, automated milk feeder data from Holstein female calves enabled the identification of moderately heritable social dominance indicators and revealed genetic relationships with feeding behavior traits relevant to calf management, health, and welfare. I will also discuss activity traits derived from wearable sensors and their use in defining novel fertility-related phenotypes. Overall, behavioral traits derived from sensors and related technologies are heritable, polygenic, and increasingly measurable at scale, supporting their inclusion in modern breeding objectives when traits are biologically interpretable, repeatable, economically relevant, and socially acceptable. In the phenomics era, progress will be maximized by standardizing trait definitions across platforms, implementing rigorous quality control and longitudinal modeling strategies, expanding reference populations with linked genotypes and high-frequency phenotypes, and embedding behavioral traits into multi-trait selection indexes aligned with welfare, efficiency, and sustainability goals."
Joint Animal Behavior and Well-Being and Breeding and Genetics Symposium: Genomics of Dairy Cattle Behavior and Well-Being Symposium Animal Behavior and Well-Being 2026/06/22 09:00:00 t98430 Watch 152 Transforming dairy cattle wellness through genomic selection. 4 N. Vukasinovic genomic predictions,wellness trait,dairy cattle resilience N. Vukasinovic1, M. A. Sánchez-Castro1, D. González-Peña1, B. Fessenden1 "Wellness traits such as disease resistance, fertility, metabolic health, and overall resilience have historically received less emphasis in dairy cattle breeding programs relative to production traits. This imbalance has largely been due to their lower heritability, the complexity of their underlying biology, and the absence of comprehensive, harmonized recording systems for health and functional traits. Recent developments in phenotyping technologies, on-farm digital data streams, and genomic tools, however, have demonstrated that by leveraging extensive producer-recorded health and performance data alongside high-density genomic information and robust statistical methodologies, it is now possible to generate accurate and reliable genomic predictions for a wide range of wellness traits. These advances enable producers to identify and select animals with superior disease resistance and improved resilience to environmental challenges early in life, thereby accelerating genetic progress for traits previously considered difficult to improve. Incorporating wellness traits into breeding objectives not only enhances the economic efficiency and long-term sustainability of dairy herds, but also contributes to improved animal welfare, better product quality, and a more favorable public perception of dairy farming practices. This presentation outlines the development and implementation of genomic prediction methods for wellness traits in both Holstein and Jersey dairy cows, as well as resilience-related traits specifically evaluated in Holstein herds across the United States. In addition, it provides validation results derived from commercial dairy populations both domestically and internationally, illustrating the practical impact and broad applicability of these tools in modern breeding programs."
Joint ADSA - CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood - Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability Symposium CSAS Symposium 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98087 Watch 470 Implementation of a national genetic evaluation for calf health traits in the U.S. 1 J. B. Cole calf health,genetic evaluation M. Neupane1, K. L. Parker Gaddis2, S. Toghiani1, A. M. Miles3, J. R. Graham4, J. W. Dürr2, J. B. Cole2, J. R. O’Connell5, C. P. Van Tassell1, P. M. VanRaden1 "The production of healthy calves is important for long-term dairy sustainability and profitability. This study examined the feasibility of using data from the National Cooperator Database maintained by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (Bowie, MD) to develop a national genetic evaluation for calf health. Reporting of health events related to respiratory disease (RESP) and diarrhea or scours (DIAR) in calves has been possible since the establishment of a format for health data exchange in 2008. Evaluations for Holstein (HO) and Jersey (JE) heifer calves were found to be possible using the currently available data, which now include approximately 765k RESP and 236k DIAR records. Incidence rates of DIAR and RESP in heifer calves were 13.5% and 14.5% in Holstein and 17.8% and 23.7% in Jersey, respectively. Variance components were estimated using a linear animal model similar to those currently used for cow health traits. Fixed effects included year-season of birth, parity of the dam, and regressions on inbreeding and heterosis, with random effects for animal, herd-sire interaction, and herd-year interaction. Heritability estimates were 2.1% for DIAR and 1.8% for RESP, considering records from HO and JE. Correlations of PTA with existing traits were estimated using records from proven bulls. Notable correlations were observed between the 2 calf health traits, between calf health and calf livability, and between RESP and cow longevity traits. Full genetic correlations will be estimated to evaluate the performance of a multitrait model of calf health and heifer livability. Genomic evaluations were conducted using the standard set of 69k imputed SNP used in routine US national evaluations. Mean genomic PTA for animals born after 2020 averaged 0.08 ± 0.47 and −0.03 ± 0.34 for DIAR in Jerseys and Holsteins, and −0.01 ± 0.48 and −0.11 ± 0.51 for RESP in Jerseys and Holsteins, respectively. These PTA are expressed as percentage points of resistance to the respective event relative to the population mean. Mean genomic reliabilities were 33% and 39% for DIAR and RESP in Jerseys, whereas mean genomic reliabilities in Holsteins were 45% and 59% for DIAR and RESP. Implementation of DIAR and RESP evaluations in the United States is planned for 2026."
Joint ADSA - CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood - Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability Symposium CSAS Symposium 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98528 Watch 472 Nature versus nurture of the dairy heifer: Nurturing the next generation with consideration for their nature. 4 M. E. Van Amburgh calf,programming,early life,environment,nutrition, M. E. Van Amburgh1, R. A. Molano2 "With the development and full implementation of genomic selection, the genetic capacity of dairy cattle is increasing at a nearly exponential rate for certain traits related to milk components yield, reproduction and health. These capabilities present the industry with potential that is yet to be fully realized. Evidence from previous and ongoing research clearly demonstrates nurture’s role in enabling heifers to express their natural productive capacity. Overall, the environmental effects on milk yield are ~38% of the yearly improvement, which is over half of the genetic selection on milk yield. Studies published over the last 20 years indicate environmental conditions (e.g., in utero heat stress, colostrum status and nutrition) can explain up to 21% of the variation in first and subsequent lactation milk yield, both negatively and positively. This also suggests that additional, yet to be identified factors continue to influence productivity. Farm-level data can identify similar responses but do not provide enough detail to fully elucidate the mechanisms. Some synergistic factors include maternal communication from the dam to the neonate through lactocrine factors in colostrum which translate into enhanced gastrointestinal function and greater nutrient absorption, leading to improved growth rates, feed intake and milk yield in the first lactation. Any detractor, such as early life respiratory disease, can negatively affect the long-term productivity and longevity of dairy cattle by limiting the expression of its genetic capacity. This highlights the existence of both synergistic and antagonistic programming cues during calf development that are critical determinants of lifetime productivity."
Joint ADSA - CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood - Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability Symposium CSAS Symposium 2026/06/24 09:00:00 n10336 Watch   Discussion 6        
Joint ADSA - CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood - Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability Symposium CSAS Symposium 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t97840 Watch 471 Optimizing early-life health in dairy calves: Translating biology into practical action. 2 D. L. Renaud dairy calves,precision livestock management,calf health D. L. Renaud1 "Diarrhea and respiratory disease remain the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial use in preweaning dairy calves, with downstream effects on welfare, growth, and lifetime productivity. Despite substantial advances in calf health research, disease control remains inconsistent across production systems, reflecting variable disease definitions and persistent gaps between research evidence and on-farm implementation. Although pathogens initiate disease, host factors, nutrition, and management play a larger role in determining the severity and duration of diarrhea and respiratory disease in dairy calves. Higher targets for passive immunity are increasingly recognized as critical for reducing disease risk, underscoring the need to refine colostrum feeding practices. Beyond immunoglobulins, bioactive components within colostrum support gut and immune development and recovery during illness, whereas higher planes of milk nutrition promote growth and protect against disease during early life. Early identification of calves at risk is critical for effective intervention. Research evaluating precision technologies, including automated milk feeders and activity monitoring, has shown that changes in feeding behavior and activity often precede overt clinical signs of both diarrhea and respiratory disease. These tools provide opportunities to shift disease management toward earlier, targeted responses that improve outcomes while supporting judicious antimicrobial use. Looking forward, progress in calf health research is constrained by inconsistent disease definitions and outcome measures, which limit comparability across studies and reduce clarity around disease assessment and management for producers. Effective disease control requires translating scientific evidence into practical, on-farm decision making, yet adoption is frequently constrained by knowledge gaps, time limitations, and insufficient consideration of economic feasibility. Aligning research outputs with practical decision-making frameworks is essential to reducing disease burden, improving calf welfare, and supporting sustainable dairy production through improved performance and responsible antimicrobial use."
Joint ADSA - CSAS Symposium: Shaping the Next Generation from Calfhood - Integrating Genetics, Nutrition, and Management to Optimize Dairy Herd Sustainability Symposium CSAS Symposium 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98130 Watch 473 Improving calf rearing practices: From research to adoption on commercial farms. 5 D. M. Weary welfare,pain,group housing,extension,policy, D. M. Weary1 "This presentation begins by reviewing advances in research that have led to important improvements in calf welfare, focusing on pain management, calf feeding and social housing; these scientific advances have helped inform changes in Canada’s Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle. I also review research showing that some of these new provisions in the Code are already widely implemented on farms in Canada, but for other changes (including the requirement that indoor-housed calves be socially housed) producers seem to require further support to help achieve high levels of adoption. The final portion of this presentation reviews recent findings on research addressing producer perspectives on these changes, including challenges in changing practice, what research is needed address these challenges, and producer concerns regarding the governance processes that resulted in the revisions to the Code of Practice. I conclude that socially sustainable calf rearing practices require a strong base of research to inform high welfare practices, strong governance that is perceived as legitimate by producers and others, and a strong commitment to engagement to ensure that improved practices are successfully adopted on commercial farms."
Extension Education Symposium: Dairy Extension and Industry Impacts - From Research to Real Life Symposium Extension Education 2026/06/24 09:00:00 n10335 Watch   Dry cow therapy panel/Open Q&A 6 D.V. Nydam, Cornell University      
Extension Education Symposium: Dairy Extension and Industry Impacts - From Research to Real Life Symposium Extension Education 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98980 Watch 467 Nutrition knowledge: From research to industry adoption. 1 M. Hanigan additive,efficacy,evaluation M. Hanigan1 "The quest to discover relationships between diet and animal performance and health dates to Socrates and Hippocrates some 2,400 years ago. Since that time, the relationships among energy and protein digestion, metabolism, and animal performance have been well characterized, but there is less knowledge of individual AA, mineral, and vitamin effects, and there are a myriad of potential bioactive compounds that may influence performance. We also don’t fully understand interactions with genetics, management, and the environment. These uncertainties contribute to economic risk when attempting to manipulate nutritional inputs with the goal of improving performance. Producers weigh that risk when considering adoption of a product, where performance gains must outweigh product cost plus the cost of perceived risk. Research and product testing reduces the perception of risk, and thus it is an important aspect of market acceptance. The simplest approach is to conduct feeding trials and measure animal responses, which provides direct cost: benefit data and variance estimates that the producer can assess. If there are no interactions with the environment, genetics, or management, and variance is small, the observed responses should be consistent across trials, which reassures producers. However, that is generally not the case. To avoid false negative tests, experimental work should demonstrate the mechanism of action if not previously known; verify that the active compound is being delivered to the animal in a dose-dependent manner; and demonstrate that animal responses are generally observed with product dosing. If a link between the active compound and animal responses has been demonstrated, and the active compound is observed to increase in the animal with dosing, one should not conclude lack of efficacy if an animal response is not also observed. Other factors may be preventing expression of the effects. Staged deployment of the product in field trials of increasing size should help identify the conditions that prevent and foster responses. Such information allows targeted product sales and a higher probability of long-term success."
Extension Education Symposium: Dairy Extension and Industry Impacts - From Research to Real Life Symposium Extension Education 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t97725 Watch 468 Beef × dairy crossbreeding: Economic impacts, replacement constraints, and a market outlook for on-farm decision making. 3 V. Cabrera beef-on-dairy,sexed semen allocation,replacement sufficiency,calf income over semen cost (ICOSC) V. Cabrera1 "Beef-on-dairy has shifted from a niche practice to a mainstream breeding strategy, enabled by improved reproductive performance, widespread use of sex-sorted semen, and strong demand for beef × dairy calves. Adoption succeeds when beef semen is used within an integrated replacement plan, not a simple “swap to beef.” Economic outcomes depend on relative calf prices, semen prices (beef, conventional, sexed), herd reproductive performance, and how sexed and beef semen are combined, captured as income from calves over semen costs (ICOSC). Using a Markov-chain herd simulation decision tool (monthly transitions; explicit tracking of replacement supply vs. demand), we compared semen allocation strategies across low, medium, and high reproductive performance. In our 2022 baseline (then-prevailing price relationships), low-performance herds were replacement-constrained, limiting beef semen use without creating heifer deficits, whereas medium- and high-performance herds could pair targeted sexed semen in heifers, and young and high genetics animals with strategic beef semen in older low genetics cows to raise ICOSC while maintaining replacement sufficiency. With today’s calf and semen prices, the value surface shifts upward; strategies marginal in 2022 have become attractive, but outcomes remain price- and reproduction-sensitive. Market outlook is central to “research to real life.” Current cattle-cycle projections indicate fed and feeder steer prices will stay elevated for much of the next decade before moderating, supporting demand for well-managed beef × dairy calves even as the cycle turns. Three practical lessons explain success versus failure: (1) reproductive performance determines flexibility to use beef semen; (2) replacement sufficiency must be actively managed (often requiring sexed semen); and (3) long-run viability depends on producing consistent, high-quality crossbreds (sire selection, calving ease, and calf management). Market volatility reinforces the need to re-evaluate strategies as conditions change and to use decision tools for scenario testing. The talk will emphasize decision rules and scenario testing rather than fixed point estimates."
Extension Education Symposium: Dairy Extension and Industry Impacts - From Research to Real Life Symposium Extension Education 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98833 Watch 469 Selective dry cow therapy: Considerations for doing it or not. 5 D. V. Nydam mastitis,antibiotics D. V. Nydam1, A. K. Vasquez1, T. Potter2, S. Rowe3, S. Godden4, M. B. Capel2 "This invited extension talk and panel will review data regarding SDCT, as well as discuss experience for what herds are good candidates for SDCT, which herds might not be, why some herds stop, and what herds do that have been successful after many years of adoption. Administering intramammary antibiotics to cows at dry-off to cure existing (mostly subclinical) infections and prevent new ones has been among the most widely adopted dairy management practices in the last 50 years. When first instituted the average cow or quarter had an intramammary infection (mostly subclinical) and many of these were caused by contagious pathogens (e.g., Streptococcus agalactiae). Blanket dry cow therapy has been associated with improving udder health. Since that time and because of improvements in overall dairy management, most cows now do not suffer from infections at dry-off, the prevalence of contagious pathogens is very low on many farms, and the use of teat sealants has become widespread. With these facts and our industry’s goal of being stewards of many resources including antibiotics, selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) has been mandated in some countries and investigated rigorously in the United States. Selective dry cow therapy uses some decision criteria to select which cows (and/or quarters) should have IMM antibiotic administered and which ones should not. Data from randomized controlled trials and field observations have shown that it is possible to decrease the use and expense of dry cow antibiotics by 40–60% compared with blanket therapy without negatively affecting udder health and cow performance. For overall mastitis control programs, which should be solidly in place before starting SDCT, the 7-point plan from the National Mastitis Council (NMC) is available at https://www.nmconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SEVEN-point-NMC-Recommended-Mastitis-Control-08.18.25.pdf. There are resources discussing SDCT implementation available from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) at https://aabp.org/committees/resources/DryCowGL_2024.pdf. Further, there are tutorials regarding how to set up work lists for SDCT in management software at https://vas.com/blog/how-to-set-up-selective-dry-cow-therapy-with-dairycomp/."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98219 Watch 476 Characterizing sources of variation in milk energy output from mammary-level metabolic predictors using mixed effects and partial least squares modeling. 3 A. J. Fischer-Tlustos milk synthesis,systems modeling,mammary metabolism A. J. Fischer-Tlustos1,2, D. J. Innes3, K. Nichols2, J. P. Cant1 "Mechanistic mammary metabolism models have significantly advanced our understanding of mammary nutrient transfer to milk; however, the main metabolic controls dictating the level of milk energy output (Eout) remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to utilize complementary mixed effects and partial least squares (PLS) modeling to identify mammary metabolic pathways and patterns associated with variation in Eout. A total of 68 observations from 20 experiments characterizing energy metabolites and AA arterial and venous concentrations, arteriovenous differences (AVD), and mammary plasma flow (MPF) in lactating Holstein cattle were used. Using R, mixed effects model predictors were selected using AIC-based backward elimination and likelihood ratio tests by maximum likelihood estimation with study included as a random intercept. Final coefficients were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood. Kernel PLS with 10-fold cross-validation was conducted using standardized predictors. Variable importance scores in projection (VIP) were calculated, and the optimal number of components was determined from cross-validated root mean squared error of prediction. The mixed effects model included 7 predictors (MPF, venous concentrations of glucose, 2-carbon substrates (2C), LCFA, and group I AA, and group I and II AA AVD), with every 1 SD increase in each predictor changing Eout by +11.6, −4.9, +0.6, −0.9, −1.8, +3.5 and +8.4%, respectively. All predictors contributed unique variation to Eout, except for venous 2C and LCFA, which were important for model stabilization. In the PLS model, 4 components (lipid supply, 2C metabolism, MPF and AA AVD, and AA supply) explained 77.9% of variation in training data and 58.4% in cross-validation. Mammary plasma flow displayed the greatest VIP (2.46), followed by venous (1.55) and arterial (1.33) acetate. In summary, milk energy output was associated with MPF regulation and AA and 2C availability. Future work should investigate how modification of such factors may improve mammary energy transfer to milk."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98289 Watch 477 Deciphering the mechanisms underlying the production of dairy fat using mammary epithelial cell cultures. 4 N. Tzirkel-Hancock medium-chain fatty acid,bovine milk fat,mammary epithelial cells,fatty acid synthesis N. Tzirkel-Hancock1, M. Rakover1, R. Tadmor-Levi1, N. Argov-Argaman1 "Bovine milk fat consists of a unique fatty acid (FA) composition, rich in short and medium-chain FAs synthesized de novo in mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and incorporated into triglycerides. The high concentration of these FAs is unique to the mammary gland of ruminants and not found in any other ruminant tissue. We hypothesized that a distinct expression pattern of lipogenic genes and the response to metabolites such as acetate drive this distinct profile. Acetate is an abundant volatile FA in the ruminant bloodstream, unlike in monogastric mammals, where glucose is the primary metabolic substrate. We determined the response of bovine MEC to acetate in terms of gene expression and FA composition and used siRNA knockdown to assess the role of key genes in short-chain FA activation. As a control, we used bovine fibroblasts as non-milk producing cells, which utilize the same lipogenic pathways as MEC. Primary cultures of MEC and fibroblasts were isolated from 3 lactating Holstein cows. Cells were harvested for lipid or RNA extraction following 24 h supplementation with 40 mM acetate. Gene expression was quantified using real-time PCR and FA content was measured using gas chromatography. Results were analyzed using Student’s t-test or one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey–Kramer honestly significant difference test. MAMMARY epithelial cells and fibroblasts exhibited significantly different basal FA composition and gene expression profiles. Under basal conditions, medium-chain FAs C10:0 and C12:0 were undetectable in both cell lines. However, acetate supplementation induced their synthesis exclusively in MEC, and C14:0 abundance increased 2.2-fold in MEC, while remaining unchanged in fibroblasts. In addition, acetate increased the expression of acetyl-CoA short chain synthetase (ACSS1) 2-fold in MEC but remained unchanged in fibroblasts. This enzyme is responsible for ligating CoA to short-chain FAs such as acetate, allowing their utilization by fatty acid synthase (FASN) for de novo FA synthesis, as well as their incorporation in triglycerides synthesis. ACSS1 knockdown in MEC reduced its expression 2-fold, whereas acetate supplementation restored and increased ACSS1 expression beyond control levels. These findings suggest that intrinsic gene expression and metabolic responses to acetate contribute to the distinctive FA composition of bovine milk."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t97782 Watch 474 Consequences of a double heat wave on mammary epithelium integrity and oxidative stress in dairy cows. 1 J. E. Duclos heat stress,redox status,mammary epithelial cells J. E. Duclos1, M. Falabrègue1, L. Rey-Cadilhac1, A. Chauvin1, C. Hurtaud1, A. Boudon1, M. Boutinaud1 "Climate change is increasing heat wave (HW) frequency, affecting dairy production systems, while direct effects on the mammary epithelium remain poorly understood in dairy cows. This study assessed the effects of 2 consecutive HW on mammary epithelium integrity and mammary epithelial cell (MEC) oxidative status. Six primiparous Holstein cows were exposed to two 7-d HW (36°C from 1100 to 1800 h), separated by a 14-d thermoneutral period, in a climate-controlled chamber. Measurements were performed on the days preceding HW (HW d−1, baseline), during HW (HW d1,2,7), and after HW (HW1 d+1, +2, +6, +7, +8, +13 and HW2 d+1, +2, +6). Plasma cortisol was measured once per week in the evening before milking. The Na+/K+ ratio was evaluated in the evening milk. Milk MEC (CD49f+) concentration, viability (eFluor), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and capacity to respond to an oxidative stress (TBHP induction) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures mixed ANOVA, with day (fixed effect) and cow (random effect). The milk Na+/K+ ratio decreased during both HW compared with baseline HWd−1 (P < 0.01) suggesting a closure of tight junctions during heat stress. In parallel, plasma cortisol concentration increased on HW1d7 (P < 0.001), being potentially involved in the closure of tight junctions. Milk somatic cell counts and milk MEC viability (~49.8%) remained unchanged, but the number of MEC exfoliated into milk tended to increase after 2 HW (P < 0.1). The proportion of ROS-producing MEC tended to increase during HW2d7, followed by a decline at the end of the experiment (HWd−1 and HW2d+1: 26% vs. HW2d7: 41%; P < 0.1). A similar increase was observed with TBHP (HWd−1: 12% vs. HW2d7: 30%; P < 0.05). In live milk MEC, ROS production per cell and the delta of fluorescence intensity between TBHP and basal (HWd−1: 37 vs. 101 and HW2d+1:18 vs. 26) were reduced over time (P < 0.001). In conclusion, HW unexpectedly promoted tight-junction closure while tending to increase MEC exfoliation, suggesting opposing effects on mammary epithelium integrity. Moreover, repeated HW altered MEC redox status."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98113 Watch 475 Colostrum impacts mammary cells in developing neonates. 2 W. O. Ogundare colostrum,mammary,neonate W. O. Ogundare1, L. M. Beckett1, V. Suresh1, T. M. Casey1 "Greater colostrum (COL) intake as a neonate links to increased milk production in mature cows and sows, but the mechanism is poorly understood. The number of mammary epithelial cells drives lactational milk yield, with stromal cells supporting epithelial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of COL at varying levels on cell proliferation in the neonatal mammary gland. We hypothesized that COL intake and adequate nutrition would increase proliferation of mammary epithelial and stromal cells. To test, we assigned 57 newborn gilts with similar birth weight (BW) to 6 groups. Treatment gilts were bottle-fed COL or milk replacer (MR) diets at a high (20% BW) and low (10% BW) dose. Hence, groups included COL20 (n = 10), COL10 (n = 10), MR20 (n = 10) and MR10 (n = 10). Control gilts were zero hour (ZH; n = 8), euthanized at birth or stay-on-sow (SOS; n = 9), which suckled directly from the sow. We bottle-fed every 2 h from birth until 22 h, and euthanized gilts at 24 h postnatal except ZH. Mammary tissues were collected, fixed in buffered formalin, paraffin embedded, sectioned, placed on slides, and immunostained with Ki67 to assess cell proliferation. Percent area of proliferating cells was quantified using ImageJ deconvolution analysis. Analysis included 2 separate linear models in SAS to test the impact of treatment and the overall effect of diet and dose, with significance set at P < 0.05. Our previous study found 20% dose promoted growth and thermic state (P < 0.05), with no effect of diet. Compared with 10%, 20% dose significantly increased epithelial (P = 0.0003) and stromal (P = 0.0005) proliferation. Treatment had an overall effect on stromal and epithelial proliferation. Post hoc Tukey revealed COL20 stromal proliferation was greater (P < 0.05) than other groups; COL20 epithelial proliferation was also greater than COL10 (P = 0.03). Together, findings support adequate COL intake promotes mammary epithelial and stromal cell proliferation in neonatal mammary gland. Further studies are needed to identify COL cell-type specific responses to understand regulatory mechanism of epithelial and stromal progenitors for future mammary development."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98818 Watch 478 Bovine mammary organoids: A 3D model to study mammary epithelial biology. 5 E. Mussard organoid,3D cell culture,mammary epithelium,mammary gland,bovine, E. Mussard1, D. Payros2, S. Belvederesi1, G. Foucras2, S. Purup1 "The primary function of the bovine mammary gland is milk production. Current in vitro models used to study the mammary epithelium and lactation are limited by their inability to preserve the natural in vivo 3-dimensional (3D) architecture and epithelial organization. Mammary organoids may represent an innovative 3D model for investigating lactation biology. This study aimed to develop and characterize bovine mammary organoids and to evaluate culture conditions that support epithelial organization and polarity. Organoids were generated from epithelial fragments isolated from heifer mammary gland and cultured for 20 d in the commercial medium MammoCult (MC), or in a defined growth factor (GF) medium. The GF medium was supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), FGF-10, insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the TGF-β inhibitor A83-01. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model with culture medium as a fixed effect and cow as a random effect. Morphologically, organoids grown in GF medium developed into spherical structure with a clear lumen, whereas those grown in MC appeared more irregular and darker. Quantitative analysis showed that GF medium produced more spherical organoids than MC (P < 0.05). Confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of luminal (cytokeratin 8) and basal (cytokeratin 14) epithelial cell populations in both conditions. The localization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 at the inner surface of the organoids indicates that the apical side of the epithelial cells was oriented toward the lumen. Overall, we established bovine mammary organoids that recapitulate key features of mammary epithelial cell diversity and polarity. At this stage, these organoids are suitable for investigating epithelial organization and regulatory pathways. However, further differentiation and functional validation are required to study milk secretion and complex infectious diseases. Improving culture conditions, including the addition of differentiation-promoting factors such as prolactin, may enhance lactogenic differentiation and expand the utility of this model."
Physiology and Endocrinology 2 Symposium Animal Health 2026/06/24 10:45:00 t97950 Watch 513 Effect of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on intake, body weight, and haptoglobin levels of beef cows. 1 E. Sarmikasoglou cattle,forever chemical,per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) E. Sarmikasoglou1, M. Bugoni1,2, O. D. R. Fajardo1, H. Reisinger1, K. Hebdon1, P. McDonald1, L. Mamedova1, S. Qian3, H. Li3, C. Murphy4, B. Bradford1 "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or forever chemicals, are synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products, whose exceptional environmental persistence has led to widespread contamination of soil, water, and livestock feed. Their bioaccumulative nature and potential associations with adverse reproductive, developmental, immune, and cancer outcomes make PFAS a growing concern for the beef and dairy industries. The objective of this study was to determine if diets or pens contaminated with PFAS would affect intake, body weight, and haptoglobin levels of nonlactating beef cows. Beef cows (n = 45), aged 2 to 8 yr, were blocked by age and randomly assigned to 16 pens (n = 2–3/pen). Each pen was assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups in a 2 ± 2 factorial arrangement of 2 rations: clean feed (CON; 50:50 corn silage: alfalfa silage) or contaminated feed (PFAS; CON plus a blend of PFAS chemicals: 1.51 mg PFBS, 0.23 mg PFHxS, 0.32 mg PFOS, 1.51 mg PFOA, 0.75 mg PFDA per cow), and 2 housing conditions: non-PFAS-contaminated concrete barn (BARN), or PFAS-contaminated soil (PASTURE). All cows were fed CON for 7 d and then fed assigned diets for an 80-d period. Intake was measured daily for the first 49 d, BW was measured at d −1 and 80, and blood was sampled at d −1, 28, 49, and 80. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS 9.4. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the effects of PFAS feeding, housing, and their interaction. Cows fed PFAS had lower DMI (12.5 vs. 14.4 kg/d, adjusted for cows per pen) than cows fed CON (P = 0.05). Cows on PASTURE had greater DMI (15.1 vs. 11.8 kg/d), BW change, and lower serum haptoglobin concentration (22.8 vs. 25.3 μg/mL) than cows housed in BARN conditions (all P ≤ 0.01). Preliminary findings indicate that exposure to PFAS-contaminated feed may be associated with reduced feed intake in beef cows, whereas measured inflammatory health indicators remained largely unchanged in 80 d of exposure. Additionally, housing animals on PFAS-contaminated soil did not appear to negatively influence the health metrics evaluated. The long-term effect of PFAS consumption on cattle health remains to be elucidated."
Lactation Biology Oral Lactation Biology 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98057 Watch 479 Longitudinal gene expression analysis of the bovine mammary gland: 10 weeks of life through the first lactation. 6 A. Vang mammary gland,RNA sequencing,development A. Vang1, W. Frizzarini1, L. League1, L. Lewandowski1, H. Webster1, T. Cunha1, G. Rosa1, J. Dorea1, L. Hernandez1 "Mammary gland development and productive capacity are shaped by dynamic transcriptional programs across life stages. To better understand how these programs are coordinated within individuals over time, we leveraged a longitudinal, repeated-measures design (n = 10) to characterize mammary transcriptomic dynamics across pregestation, gestation, and lactation. Sequencing data were analyzed using BioState AI’s OmicsWeb platform, which implements DESeq2 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across the different time points. The resulting lists of DEGs were submitted to the NIH DAVID website for GFC and KEGG pathway analysis, conducted for each developmental period and individual time point. GFCs were considered significant with ES >1.3 (P ≤ 0.05) and KEGG pathways at an FDR <0.05. Pregestation gene expression was dominated by transcriptional regulation, architectural organization and remodeling, and signaling, (FDR < 0.05) indicating establishment of regulatory and epithelial capacity without activation of high-output functional programs. Gestation was characterized by downregulation of metabolism pathways including mitochondrial energy production and oxidative metabolism, amino acid metabolism, carbon metabolism, and insulin signaling (FDR < 0.05). Also downregulated were biosynthetic and trafficking pathways (FDR <0.05). In contrast, lactation exhibited selective activation of pathways supporting milk production and epithelial defense, including CXCL, GPAT, and CYP genes (ES >1.3). Shared-expression analyses revealed distinct transcriptional programs across developmental stages, including persistent regulatory signaling between pregestation and gestation, maintenance of infrastructure across gestation and lactation, and reutilization of epithelial interface–related programs between pregestation and lactation. Together, these findings suggest that lactational function is supported by temporal coordination rather than continuous activation. By capturing transcriptional changes across the full reproductive cycle within the same individuals, this study highlights the importance of timing and transcriptional coordination in shaping long-term lactational performance."
Physiology and Endocrinology 2 Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/24 10:45:00 t98235 Watch 514 Peripartal changes in daily rhythms of blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation profiles in dairy cows. 2 A. F. Souza Lima circadian rhythm,peripartum period,cosinor analysis A. F. Souza Lima1, G. Goncalves Begalli1, E. Trevisi2, T. Fernandes1, I. J. Salfer3, I. Yoon4, J. S. Osorio1 "This study aimed to characterize circadian rhythms of blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation parameters in dairy cows during the transition period. Forty Holstein cows (BW = 779 ± 100 kg; parity = 2 ± 1.2; 305 ECM = 13,863 ± 2,490 kg) were monitored from −35 to 60 DIM. Cows were fed once a day at 1011 (±23 min) and 0925 h (±26 min) during close-up and early lactation, respectively. Blood and rumen samples were collected at 9-h intervals over 3 consecutive days to assess 24-h rhythmicity at −14 prepartum (PRE) and 14 ± 2 DIM postpartum (POST). The fit, amplitude, and acrophase of the daily rhythms were evaluated by fitting the data to a linear form of sin and cosine functions using a linear mixed model in R with the fixed effect of stage of lactation (PRE vs. POST), collection day (1, 2, and 3), parity, and random effect of cow. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P ≤ 0.10. During PRE, plasma glucose and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) exhibited significant 24-h rhythmicity (P ≤ 0.04), with a trend for BHB (P = 0.10). During POST, significant rhythmicity was observed for NEFA and BHB (P ≤ 0.04). Mesor glucose decreased (P < 0.01) from PRE to POST, whereas mesor NEFA and BHB increased (P < 0.01). Acrophase shifted (P ≤ 0.01) from PRE to POST for glucose (0521 to 0127 h) and BHB (1954 to 1632 h), whereas NEFA peak timing remained unchanged (P = 0.60). Ruminal fermentation parameters, including total and molar proportion of main VFA, exhibit daily rhythms during PRE and POST (P ≤ 0.04). In contrast, ruminal NH3 rhythmicity was present in PRE (P < 0.01) but not POST (P = 0.99). Acrophase shifted (P < 0.01) from PRE to POST periods for NH3 concentration (0749 to 1726 h), total VFA (2045 to 1952 h), and butyrate (mol %; 2055 to 1958 h). Changes in glucose, BHB, and NEFA rhythmicity suggest that while diurnal gluconeogenesis (or blood glucose uptake) and partial fatty acid oxidation shift around calving, lipid mobilization remains consistent during the transition period. The lack of rhythmicity in NH3 after calving could reflect a reorganization of N metabolism, driven by changes in diet, feeding behavior, and rumen microbial activity."
Physiology and Endocrinology 2 Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - Physiology, Fermentation and Digestion 2026/06/24 10:45:00 t98258 Watch 515 The NAD+ metabolome of dairy cows changes actively during the peripartal transition. 3 J. E. Rico nicotinamide mononucleotide,peripartum,longevity M. da Silva1,2, N. Pothode1, M. Hubbard1, R. L. Baldwin3, A. Miles3, J. E. Rico1,3 "Altered energy metabolism is linked to metabolic stress, inefficient milk production, and postpartum (pp) disease in dairy cows. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) coenzymes are central to energy metabolism. In rodents, the hepatic NAD+ metabolome becomes progressively depleted pp, leading to poor lactation performance and limited offspring growth. Our goal was to characterize the NAD+ metabolome in blood and liver of multiparous Holstein cows (parity = 2.5 ± 0.5) of low residual feed intake (L-RFI; high efficiency; n = 12) and high RFI (H-RFI; low efficiency; n = 12) during the peripartum (21 d prepartum to 21 d pp). Determinations of RFI groups were based on expected vs. actual intake from the previous lactation. Liver biopsies were performed at d −21 and d 7, and blood samples were collected weekly from d −30 to d 21, relative to parturition. The NAD+ metabolome (n = 30) was quantified using HPLC/MS. Data were analyzed in SAS under a mixed model with time and RFI class as fixed, and cow and enrollment block as random effects. Plasma glucose and insulin decreased by 16% and 80% pp (P < 0.05), whereas NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) increased (2- and 5-fold by d 21 pp, respectively; P < 0.05). The BHB was 62% higher at d 14 pp in H-RFI and NEFA were 44% higher in L-RFI at d 14 and 21 pp (P < 0.05). Glucose was 14% higher at parturition in L-RFI cows. The Low-RFI group tended to have higher total antioxidant capacity 21 d pp (+25%; P = 0.08). NAD+ was the most abundant nucleotide (~85% of total) prepartum and pp. Hepatic NAD+ and NADP+ increased (12% and 107%, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas NAD precursors decreased pp (all P < 0.05). The NAD+/NADH ratio decreased pp (−18%; P < 0.05), whereas the NADP+/NADPH increased pp (+18%; P < 0.05). Nicotinamide mononucleotide was lower in H-RFI (−46%; P = 0.04) and tended to decrease pp in both groups pp (−32%; P = 0.06). The sum of hepatic NAD+ metabolites was unaffected by time or RFI (all P > 0.41). The increase in hepatic NAD+ metabolites, coupled with reductions in NAD+ precursors, agrees with a heightened demand for NAD+ at the onset of lactation; however, no shortage of NAD+ metabolites was apparent short-term, and limited differences were observed between RFI groups. Future work over the whole lactation should evaluate whether hepatic NAD+ metabolome pool depletion develops progressively with sustained lactogenesis in dairy cows, as well as its impact on milk production."
Physiology and Endocrinology 2 Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/24 10:45:00 t98331 Watch 516 Abomasal infusion of 5-hydroxytryptophan affects glucose response during an insulin challenge in late-lactation cows. 4 D. Rayford insulin,glucose,5-hydroxytryptophan D. Rayford1, D. N. Sherlock2, S. I. Arriola Apelo1 "Intravenous bolus administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor to serotonin, transiently decreases circulating insulin in late-lactation cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate insulin-independent effects of 5-HTP continuously infused into the abomasum on glucose kinetics. It was hypothesized that 5-HTP would reduce glucose needs when insulin is clamped at hyper-physiological levels. Six late-lactation (148 ± 25 DIM) Holstein cows were enrolled in a study with 3 levels of 5-HTP (0, 1, or 3 mg/kg/d) and 3 periods (21-d infusion, 7-d rest) in a replicated Latin square design. Treatments were diluted in 8 L of tap water and continuously infused into the abomasum (except during milkings). On d 20 or d 21 of infusion, cows were subjected to a 6 h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Insulin was dissolved in sterile saline and intravenously infused at 5 μg/kg/h. Glucose (50% vol/vol) was infused through the same catheter at a variable rate to maintain target glycemia. Blood glucose concentration was measured from a coccygeal vessel with a handheld glucometer every 5 min until target glycemia was achieved, and at incremental times after that, up to 30 min. Blood glucose concentration, lag time to the beginning of glucose infusion, total glucose infused during the 6 h clamp, and maximum infusion rate were analyzed using a linear mixed model with treatment and period as fixed effects and cow as random. Average blood glucose concentration during clamp (50.4 mg/dL) and lag time to glucose infusion (69.7 min) did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the total amount of glucose infused (623 mg/kg BW) and the maximum infusion rate (189 mg/kg/h) for control cows (0 mg/kg/d of 5-HTP) decreased linearly (112 mg/kg and 39 mg/kg/h, respectively, P < 0.005) in response to each milligram of 5-HTP infused. Abomasal infusion of 5-HTP reduced the amount of exogenous glucose required to maintain euglycemia during an insulin challenge in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that, in addition to circulating insulin, 5-HTP reduces the response of sensitive tissues to the hormone."
Physiology and Endocrinology 2 Symposium Physiology and Endocrinology 2026/06/24 10:45:00 t97859 Watch 517 Cholesterol metabolism in early-lactation cows with different body condition scores. 5 J. Eichinger dairy cow,obese,lipoprotein metabolism,early lactation J. Eichinger1, T. Heiri1, J. Hendricks2, A. M. Reiche2, F. Dohme-Meier2, J. J. Gross1 "Dairy cows with a high body condition score (BCS) at calving are predisposed to postpartum (pp) metabolic disorders, but the short-term dynamics in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism during early lactation are poorly characterized. Therefore, we investigated the cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism during the first week pp in cows with different BCS. Twenty-four Holstein cows were assigned 42 d ante partum (ap) to either a high (6.9 MJ NEL; n = 14) or a low energy (5.3 MJ NEL, n = 10) diet ad libitum creating cow groups with different BCS at calving (high BCS 3.72 ± 0.11 [HC]; low BCS 2.68 ± 0.11 [LC]). From calving onwards, HC cows received a moderate (6.6 MJ NEL) and LC cows an appropriate energy diet (6.8MJ NEL). Feed intake, body weight, and milk yield were recorded continuously. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein and lactose content to calculate the energy-corrected milk yield (ECM). Daily blood samples pp were analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Statistical analysis included linear mixed models (fixed effects: cow group, time, interaction; random factor: animal). During the first week pp, HC cows showed a higher ECM than LC cows (P = 0.04). Serum NEFA, BHB, and TG were greater in HC compared with LC cows and NEFA and BHB increased over time (P < 0.01). While total cholesterol did not differ between cow groups (P = 0.26), it first fluctuated and then increased over time (P < 0.01). VLDL-C was (P < 0.01) and HDL-C tended to be (P = 0.09) greater in HC compared with LC cows. LDL-C, GLDH and GGT did not differ between cow groups (P > 0.10), while HDL-C and GLDH fluctuated over time (P < 0.05). Elevated NEFA and BHB concentrations in HC cows indicate increased hepatic metabolic load during the first week pp, accompanied by changes in triglyceride metabolism and cholesterol distribution among lipoprotein fractions. Our results warrant further investigation of cholesterol metabolism in early lactation."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t97738 Watch 545 Finding the return on investment in methyl donor supplementation strategies. 2 T. H. Swartz methyl donor,transition cow,cost-benefit assessment T. H. Swartz1 "Methyl donor supplementation, including rumen-protected choline, methionine, and betaine, has gained attention in the dairy industry due to its potential to support milk production, metabolism, and health. While biological responses to methyl donor supplementation continue to be described, translating these responses into an economic value remains a critical question for dairy producers, nutritionists, and farm advisors. This presentation will explore the benefits of methyl donor supplementation on the performance of dairy cattle and then translate those benefits into an economic value to explore return on investment (ROI). Rather than focusing on a single experimental outcome, this presentation will frame ROI as the balance between supplementation costs and a range of biological and management responses. Historically, supplementation strategies have focused on peripartum periods when cows experience metabolic challenges; therefore, much of the discussion will center on this time. These responses include feed intake, colostrum production, milk and energy-corrected milk production, and health benefits, including potential benefits for pre-weaned calves born from supplemented dams. Key factors influencing ROI will include supplementation cost, duration and timing of feeding, expected magnitude and duration of the responses, and market prices for milk and calves. Special emphasis will be placed on long-term milk production responses following the supplementation period, and how these responses positively influence ROI. The presentation will also highlight the variability in responses found in research settings and discuss potential nutritional and management sources of this variation. By integrating principles of nutritional physiology with practical financial considerations, the presentation will provide a framework for evaluating when and where methyl donor supplementation is most likely to generate positive returns. The goal is to provide context-specific decision-making that aligns nutritional strategies with herd goals as part of a broader approach to improve productivity and profitability in the dairy industry."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t98754 Watch 544 Methyl donor impact on immunity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. 1 J. S. Osorio one-carbon metabolism,immune response,dairy cow J. S. Osorio1 "Methyl donors play a central role in coordinating metabolic, redox, and immune pathways in dairy cows, particularly during physiologically demanding periods such as the transition from late gestation to early lactation. Nutrients involved in one-carbon (1-C) metabolism (e.g., methionine, choline, folate, and betaine) support methyl-group availability for transmethylation reactions while also contributing carbon and sulfur skeletons for antioxidant and immune-related processes. Emerging evidence demonstrates that methyl donor supply extends beyond epigenetic regulation to directly influence immune cell function, inflammatory tone, and oxidative balance. Recent studies indicate that enhanced methyl donor availability can modulate innate immune responses by supporting glutathione synthesis, maintaining redox homeostasis, and limiting excessive reactive oxygen species production during immune activation. In transition dairy cows, insufficient methyl donor supply is associated with impaired antioxidant capacity, heightened inflammatory signaling, and increased susceptibility to metabolic and infectious disorders. Conversely, targeted supplementation strategies have been shown to attenuate systemic inflammation, improve hepatic redox status, and support immune competence without suppressing necessary inflammatory responses. At the cellular level, methyl donors influence macrophage and neutrophil metabolism, linking 1-C flux to immune cell energetics, redox signaling, and functional outcomes such as phagocytosis and cytokine production. This presentation will synthesize recent advances in understanding how methyl donors integrate metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune regulation in dairy cows, drawing from both in vivo and mechanistic studies. Particular emphasis will be placed on the transition period as a window of heightened vulnerability and opportunity for nutritional intervention. A clearer appreciation of methyl donor biology within immune and redox networks will help refine precision nutrition strategies aimed at improving resilience, health, and productivity in modern dairy production systems."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - General 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t97976 Watch 546 Effects of peripartum supplementation of chromium, rumen-protected choline, or both on milk production in Holstein dairy cows. 4 G. F. L. Cruz transition cow,early lactation G. F. L. Cruz1, A. J. Bowers1, L. A. Lewerke1, S. E. Green1, S. J. Kendall1, V. Malacco2, I. Brown-Crowder2, J. Hergenreder2, H. M. White1 "The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of peripartum supplementation of chromium (Cr), rumen-protected choline (RPC), or both (RPC+Cr) on production in dairy cows. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (n = 90) were randomly assigned to control (CTL), RPC (15 g pre- and 30 g postpartum, CholiGEM, Kemin), Cr (0.5 mg/kg of diet DM, KemTRACE® Chromium, Kemin), or RPC+Cr for 22 ± 4 d pre- and 23 ± 3 d post-calving. Cows had ad libitum access to treatment (TRT) diets via Insentec Feeders (Hokofarm Group; 4 feeders/TRT). Following the supplementation period, cows received a common diet until 100 DIM (postSP). Milk yield (MY) was recorded twice daily, and milk composition was analyzed weekly. Prepartum, postpartum, and postSP data were analyzed separately with mixed models (SAS 9.4), with Cr, RPC, week (Wk), and their interactions as fixed effects and random effects of cow nested within TRT and Wk of enrollment. Statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05, and tendencies as 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Data were transformed and back-transformed means are reported. Means were separated by Tukey when RPC × Cr was P ≤ 0.10 and by SLICE when time interactions were P ≤ 0.10. Supplementation of Cr reduced (P = 0.04) prepartum DMI (13.0, 12.1 kg/d) and RPC increased postpartum DMI (P = 0.03; 22.8, 24.1 kg/d). Overall, MY (P = 0.09) and ECM (P = 0.06) tended to be increased by RPC × Cr. MY was greater (P = 0.03) in RPC, and tended to be greater (P = 0.06) in RPC+Cr, than CTL (42.0, 44.8, 45.6, 45.2 kg/d; CTL, Cr, RPC, RPC+Cr). RPC increased milk protein (P = 0.03; 1.42 vs. 1.50 kg/d) and lactose (P = 0.05; 2.04, 2.13 kg/d). Cr × Wk tended to decrease fat (P = 0.05; wk 1: 5.03, 4.75%) and increase protein (P = 0.02; wk 1: 1.25, 1.35 kg/d). PostSP MY did not differ by TRT (P = 0.12; 53.6, 54.6, 56.6, 55.3 kg/d; CTL, Cr, RPC, RPC+Cr). PostSP protein was increased by RPC (P = 0.04; 1.66, 1.72 kg/d). Rumen-protected choline consistently improved early-lactation production, whereas Cr had limited and time-dependent responses. Despite differing mechanisms of action, their combined supplementation did not result in additive effects on production performance."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - General 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t97977 Watch 547 Effects of prepartum supplementation of chromium, rumen-protected choline, or both on colostrum yield and composition in Holstein dairy cows. 5 A. J. Bowers IgG,Brix,transition cow A. J. Bowers1, G. F. L. Cruz1, L. A. Leuwerke1, S. E. Green1, S. J. Kendall1, V. Malacco2, I. Brown-Crowder2, J. Hergenreder2, H. M. White1 "Supplementation of chromium (Cr) and rumen-protected choline (RPC) in dairy cows has been linked to improved metabolic function and productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of prepartum supplementation of Cr, RPC, or both (RPC+Cr), in a factorial design, on colostrum yield and quality. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (n = 90) were randomly assigned to control (CTL), RPC (15 g, CholiGEM, Kemin), Cr (0.5 mg/kg of diet DM, KemTRACE® Chromium, Kemin), or RPC+Cr at 21 d before anticipated calving date (22 ± 4 d). Additives containing the treatments (TRT) were mixed into TMR, and cows had ad libitum access via Insentec Feeders (Hokoform Group; 4 feeders/TRT). Colostrum was collected within 6 h of calving (n = 82), weighed, and a Brix measurement was taken using a handheld digital refractometer. Colostrum was stored at −20°C until analysis for immunoglobulins (IgG) using a radial immunodiffusion plate, and protein and triglycerides (TG) using a colorimetric assay. Data were analyzed using mixed models (SAS 9.4), with Cr, RPC, and RPC × Cr as fixed effects and random effect of cow within TRT and week of enrollment. Data were transformed, and back-transformed means are reported. Differences were declared as significant at P ≤ 0.05, and tendencies at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.1. When interactions were P ≤ 0.1, means were separated by Tukey’s comparison. Colostrum weight tended to differ (P = 0.06) by RPC × Cr with increased yield (4.2, 6.8, 5.2, 5.1 kg; CTL, RPC, Cr, RPC+Cr) with the only separatable difference being RPC, compared with CTL (P = 0.04; +2.4 kg). Supplementation of Cr increased (P = 0.02) Brix (27.2, 29.2%; CTL, Cr), whereas RPC tended to increase (P = 0.10) Brix (27.5, 28.9%; CTL, RPC). Total protein (P = 0.02; 14.6, 18.2 g/dL) and IgG concentrations (P = 0.05; 13,660, 15,236 mg/dL) were increased in cows fed Cr compared with CTL. The TG concentration did not differ (P > 0.1) by TRT. These results suggest that rumen-protected choline primarily enhances colostrum yield, whereas chromium supplementation improves colostrum quality, with no additive effects observed when the supplements were combined."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - General 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t97984 Watch 548 Efficacy of free betaine or complexed with trace minerals in hepatic oxidative and metabolic status. 6 M. Beltran cattle,betaine,hepatic gene expression M. Beltran1, B. Serrano1, S. Rothstein2, A. Bach1 "The aim of this study was to assess the effects of free betaine or betaine complexed with trace minerals on oxidative status and lipid metabolism in the liver. Fifty-one healthy crossbred Holstein-Belgium white blue cattle (497 ± 50.3 d of age) were fed a TMR (13.8% CP; 34.7% NDF) ad libitum and were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments: Control (CTR; 100, 15, 85, and 100 mg/kg of DM of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe sulfates, respectively; n = 17); BET (CTR plus 623 mg/kg of betaine anhydrous; n = 18;) and BetaTrace (100, 15, 85, and 100 mg/kg of organic Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe complexed with betaine, which is equivalent to 623 mg/kg of betaine anhydrous; n = 16) for 30 d before slaughtering age. Both BET and BetaTrace treatments provided the same amount of bioavailable betaine to the animals. Immediately after slaughter, liver samples were collected for RNA extraction and reverse transcription. Gene expression of markers involved in antioxidant defense (SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPX3, and BAX), methyl-group metabolism (MTR, BHMT, GNMT, and MAT1A), lipid metabolism (SREBP1, FASN, SCD1, CPT1A, and PPARA), and immunity (ILB1 and NFKB) was determined by qPCR. Results were analyzed using a mixed-effects model with block as a random effect and treatment as a fixed effect. Betaine affected expression of some genes involved with oxidative stress, methyl-group, and lipid metabolism, but not those related to immunity. A greater BHMT expression was observed in both BET and BetaTrace compared with CTR, indicating an increased recycle of homocysteine to methionine. Greater SOD1 and SOD2 expression was observed in BetaTrace compared with CTR and BET, which suggests ability to scavenge free radicals on BET group (P < 0.05). Last, lower SREBP1 expression was observed in BET and BetaTrace than in CTR. A reduced expression of SREBP1 would prevent fat accumulation and could contribute to a reduced risk of oxidative stress. It is concluded that betaine supplementation improves one-carbon metabolism of cattle, improves hepatic oxidative stress, and reduces lipogenesis."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - General 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t98357 Watch 549 Concentrations of choline metabolites in plasma of dairy cows following 7 days of abomasal infusion of increasing levels of choline and following a bolus dose. 7 M. Arif choline,trimethylamine,dairy cow M. Arif1, C. Matamoros1, A. Shay1, S. Braet1, K. J. Harvatine1 "ADSA-Graduate Student Competition: Production (PhD Oral Semifinalist)
Choline (Cho) is an important nutrient for lipid metabolism and optimal animal performance, but its degradation in rumen and intestine limits its bioavailability. We first conducted a continuous abomasal infusion of increasing doses of Cho to establish responsiveness of Cho metabolites in plasma and then characterized the temporal response of metabolites after an abomasal and meal bolus. Plasma Cho metabolites, including Cho, trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine N oxide (TMAO), betaine (Bet), phosphocholine (PCho), and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPCho) were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. In experiment 1, 12 lactating rumen-cannulated cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 7-d abomasal infusions of 0, 18, 36, and 54 g/d of Cho chloride followed by 7 d washout. Data were analyzed with cow and period as random effects and tested the linear and quadratic effect of dose. Increasing Cho dose linearly increased plasma PCho (P < 0.01) and quadratically increased Cho, Bet, TMA, and TMAO (P < 0.04), while GPCho was not changed (P = 0.14). In experiment 2, 9 cows were given an abomasal bolus infusion of 36 g of Cho in 3 separate periods and blood were sampled from jugular catheter over 24 h. Plasma Cho and TMA peaked at 4 h and TMAO at 10 to 12 h postinfusion. Plasma PCho was increased at 6 h and Bet was progressively increased and plateaued from 6 to 20 h. In experiment 3, 6 lactating cows in a crossover design were fed 36 g of unprotected Cho (UPC) as a meal and samples collected over 24 h. There was a treatment by time interaction for plasma TMAO (P < 0.01), which peaked at 4 h. The choline meal increased both Cho and GPCho but there was no treatment by time interaction. Choline metabolites are responsive to both ruminal and postruminal administration and the temporal response may be important to determining bioavailability."
Ruminant Nutrition Platform Session: Mighty Methyl Donors - Updates on Roles of 1-C Supplementation and Metabolism in Dairy Production Symposium Ruminant Nutrition - General 2026/06/24 13:30:00 t98252 Watch 550 Impact of dry period heat stress and rumen-protected choline on mammary cell proliferation in Holstein cows. 8 M. A. T. de Bari Ki-67,involution,epithelial M. A. T. de Bari1, K. Estes2, C. Zimmerman2, H. Olmo1, D. Onan-Martinez1, D. Binder1, J. Lance1, G. E. Dahl1 "Heat stress during the dry period impairs mammary development and reduces milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Proper mammary involution at dry-off is essential for later mammary epithelial cell (MEC) proliferation. Evidence suggests that choline and other methyl donors stimulate mammary cell apoptosis in vitro, potentially supporting involution and subsequent proliferation; however, the effects of choline supplementation on MEC cells during the dry period remain unclear. We evaluated the effects of dry period heat stress and rumen-protected choline (RPC) on MEC proliferation in Holstein cows. Late-gestation cows in a freestall barn (n = 56) were assigned to heat stress (HT), HT+RPC (HTC), cooling (CL), or CL+RPC (CLC). A cooling system with shade, fans and soakers was provided to CL and CLC cows, whereas HT and HTC cows had only shade. A highly concentrated RPC was fed at 30 g/d during the dry period. Mammary biopsies were collected from a subset of cows (HT = 5, HTC = 5, CL = 4, CLC = 4) at 3 d before dry-off (d −3) and on d 3, 7, and 21 relative to dry-off. Tissue sections were immunostained for Ki-67, and cell proliferation was quantified (20×) using one tissue cut per cow and 3 fields per cut (ROI = 97,344 µm2). Values were average across fields. Data were analyzed using mixed models, including proliferation at d −3 as a covariate. MEC proliferation increased over time (P < 0.0001), but within thermal environment, HT tended to reduced MEC (3.92 vs. 2.84%; P = 0.08), whereas RPC increased proliferation (3.90 vs. 2.78%; P = 0.04). A tendency for a time × stress interaction was detected (P = 0.06), with CL cows showing greater MEC proliferation than HT cows at d 3 (3.2 vs. 1.2%; P = 0.01) and d 21 (8.1 vs. 4.4%; P = 0.04). Stromal cell proliferation increased over time (P < 0.01) and tended to have a time × stress interaction (P = 0.06); CL cows had greater stromal proliferation than HT cows at d 3 (4.0 vs. 1.8%; P < 0.05). These preliminary results confirm that dry period heat stress decreases mammary cell proliferation, whereas RPC supported MEC proliferation in both thermal environments."
Reproduction Symposium: Scaling Reproduction in the Era of Dairy Consolidation Symposium Reproduction 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98083 Watch 480 Consistency and fertility: Synchronization programs for modern dairy enterprises. 1 J. C. Dalton reproduction,synchronization,fertility J. C. Dalton1 "Reproductive performance is critical to profitability and sustainability. In the last few decades, the dairy industry has evolved to fewer dairies, housing larger herds, with cows that produce more milk and components. The development and optimization of synchronization programs has facilitated the efficient administration of artificial insemination (AI) to large numbers of cows, and increased fertility. Presynchronization with GnRH and PGF2α increases first service pregnancy per AI (P/AI) by inducing ovulation in anovular cows, and by increasing the proportion of cows synchronized during an Ovsynch protocol. A second PGF2α treatment 24 h after the first in a 7-d Ovsynch protocol increases luteal regression, resulting in increased P/AI, especially in multiparous cows. Timing of AI relative to synchronized ovulation influences P/AI, as evidenced by lower P/AI in cows receiving TAI at 0 h compared with 16 h after the last GnRH treatment of a Double Ovsynch protocol. Unfortunately, variable success exists among herds using the same synchronization strategies, providing evidence that factors other than the protocol affect fertility. Factors may include protocol compliance, BCS, health events, and a herd by semen type interaction. Researchers have coined the term “High Fertility Cycle” to describe the relatedness of fertility factors within and between lactations, i.e., timely pregnancies in one lactation may lead to less BCS loss, fewer health events, greater fertility, and reduced early pregnancy loss in the next lactation. Technology has been implemented by many dairies to address synchronization protocol compliance and reduce or eliminate lock-up times, while nutritionists, veterinarians, AI stud personnel, pharmaceutical technical services, and extension faculty work collaboratively with dairy producers and employees to achieve fertility goals."
Reproduction Symposium: Scaling Reproduction in the Era of Dairy Consolidation Symposium Reproduction 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t98170 Watch 481 Reproductive technology implementation: Scaling the use of activity monitors and artificial intelligence–guided decision making. 2 R. Chebel automated monitoring device,targeted reproductive management,computer vision,federated learning R. Chebel1,2, H. Yu1 "As dairy herds consolidate, reproductive programs increasingly rely on automated monitoring devices (AMD) to maintain efficiency at scale. Targeted reproductive management (TRM), which assigns cows to insemination at AMD-detected estrus or ovulation synchronization protocols based on early postpartum estrus characteristics (EPEC), resulted in slightly lower pregnancy to first insemination than Double Ovsynch but similar or greater hazard of pregnancy across the lactation. Predictive algorithms integrating EPEC with genomic merit, milk yield, and health data can classify cows into fertility categories differing in time to pregnancy, enabling individualized insemination and voluntary waiting period strategies. However, a critical question remains: are these results robust and externally valid across diverse production settings? Variation in genetics, climate, nutrition, sensor hardware, and algorithms across farms may alter predictive thresholds and classification accuracy. Differences in disease prevalence, heat stress, and data recording further challenge generalizability. Integrating additional data layers—including computer vision–derived phenotypes such as automated body condition scoring, sensor-derived health indicators, and genomic information—may improve model robustness but requires validation across herds. Scalable computing frameworks, such as federated edge-cloud systems, enable models to be trained locally on farms while sharing only model updates for cross-farm aggregation, enabling the development of a more general global model that can be continuously updated and deployed back to individual farms without centralized data pooling while preserving data privacy. Ultimately, multiherd validation spanning diverse environments and management systems is essential before artificial intelligence–guided reproductive decision making can be reliably implemented at industry scale. Nevertheless, the potential to tailor reproductive management to individual cow biology and optimize efficiency and profitability at scale warrants continued development and multiherd evaluation to increase long-term sustainability of dairy production."
Reproduction Symposium: Scaling Reproduction in the Era of Dairy Consolidation Symposium Reproduction 2026/06/24 09:00:00 n9672 Watch   Round table 5 Greg Bethard, Ricardo Chebel, Joe Dalton      
Reproduction Symposium: Scaling Reproduction in the Era of Dairy Consolidation Symposium Reproduction 2026/06/24 09:00:00 t97683 Watch 482 Managing reproduction at scale: Lessons from a consolidating dairy operation. 4 G. L. Bethard reproduction,fertility,herds,consolidation G. L. Bethard1, J. S. Leak1, V. E. Gomez-Leon2, J. P. Nascimento Andrade3 "Managing reproductive success on modern, large, North American dairy facilities requires efficient and cow-friendly facilities; adoption of new technologies such as activity monitors and sort gates; dedicated and efficient people; simple, executable and scalable systems; and healthy cows. High Plains Ponderosa Dairy has been in a growth phase for the last 9 years, increasing herd size 10-fold. Growth creates both opportunities and challenges to reproductive management. The opportunities come with new construction which allow the latest technologies and designs to be incorporated. Challenges involve incorporating tasks such as hormone injection, heat detection, breeding, and pregnancy diagnosis from rotary parlors milking more than 1,000 cows per hour feeding sortgates and palpation rails. Workflow is rapid and requires efficient technicians, plus facilities and technology that can keep pace with the cow flow. There are many metrics used in the industry to monitor reproductive performance, but none is more important than a physical hard count of pregnancies each week. Other useful metrics include 21-d pregnancy rate and service rate. Strategic use of sexed semen allows for planning of pregnancy and cow flow which are integrally related outcomes of reproductive management. Multiple bulls in each semen straw spread the risk of a bad collection. At scale simplicity is paramount, which makes mating of any kind challenging. The ideal workflow for breeders is continual and consistent every day, as opposed to consolidating work on certain days. With twice-daily milking, all reproductive work including hormone injection, breeding, and pregnancy diagnosis ideally occurs during one shift, which limits the use of complex synchronization programs. The compounding effect of potential sorting errors over multiple hormone injections makes any synchronization program challenging. The ideal reproductive program is very simple and creates pregnancies at a rate to maintain cow flow while maximizing the value of the uterus through strategic use of sexed and beef semen."
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 t97503 Watch 512 Mengniu dairy smart laboratory construction. 10 L. Dong Industry 4.0,smart laboratory,automation,digitalization,AI, L. Dong1 "Mengniu integrated Industry 4.0 into its dairy factories and experimented innovatively in the Ningxia Golden Dairy Belt. Five years later, China’s first dairy WEF lighthouse factory with a fully automated smart laboratory was built there. Through integrated innovation in automation, digitalization and AI, it achieved full-process automated “collection–delivery–inspection–retention” testing, provided real-time production guidance, and improved quality management. The core technologies are: designing laboratory infrastructure for assembly-line automation testing with environmental sensing and control; establishing a digital twin platform for online/offline symbiosis and synchronization to realize a metaverse-based operation management system; enabling automatic product sampling, transport, storage, and verification with LIMS-connected data for full-process automated sample retention management. These bring benefits like lower human error, higher efficiency, greater data reliability, and more versatile workforce skills, benefiting companies, workers, and consumers. As a driver of Mengniu’s digital transformation, the smart laboratory’s technologies and experiences were compiled, and an international standard was proposed to ISO/TC 336. After a 2-year preparation, the Smart Dairy Laboratory standard project was approved, and an ISO/TC 336 working group was set up to welcome global experts. The standard covers software and hardware technical requirements for dairy smart laboratory design, considering safety, health, environmental protection, low-carbon and sustainability requirements."
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 n9665 Watch IPP2 Efficient dairy cows feeding system 12 D. Wang      
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 n9664 Watch IPP1 Fresh milk innovation 11 G. Liu      
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 n9666 Watch IPP3 Innovation for milk production 14 M. Zhao      
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 t97926 Watch 505 How to understand and promote sustainable dairy development? 2 J. Wang dairy,sustainable,development J. Wang1 "Sustainable dairy development means the capacity to maintain long-term milk production without damaging animal health and environmental integrity. Milk is the first diet of mammals that provides all the essential nutrients required for growth and development. Milk and dairy products are not only a rich source of high-quality protein (32 g/L) with optimal amino acid composition, but also a major dietary source of calcium, which provides 37% to 40% of the daily calcium requirement along with phosphorus, potassium, and essential vitamins such as vitamin B12 and riboflavin, all of which are important for bone and muscle development and metabolic health. Historical evidence shows that agriculture and dairy increased global food production by over 60% between 1960 to 2000, allowing food supply to overtake population growth. But current food security remains precarious, with an estimated 673 million people experiencing hunger in 2024 and over 2.3 billion people facing moderate or severe food insecurity. The global population is projected to increase to 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion in 2050. All the increasing food demand and intensifying pressure on limited natural resources will make the dairy system critical for global food security. To fulfill the growing food demand, dairy production will play an even more important role, but at the same time, the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, and land resource constraints are increasing. It will be our significant mission to understand and promote a sustainable dairy system in the future."
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 n9662 Watch   Panel discussion with all speakers 15        
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 t98656 Watch 506 Corn silage quality evaluation and application in China. 3 D. P. Bu integrated index,silage qualification contest,feeding cost D. P. Bu1 "Corn silage is a critical source of energy, fiber, and protein in dairy rations, directly influencing feeding costs and producer profitability. However, both the nutrient composition and fermentation parameters of silage exhibit substantial variability, even on the same farm. Variation arises from multiple factors, including farm management practices, sampling techniques, storage duration, and analytical methods. Producing high-quality corn silage requires careful attention at several stages in the production continuum, from variety selection and harvest timing to processing, compaction, sealing, and feed-out management. Although rapid near-infrared (NIR) analysis can analyze over 30 parameters from a single sample, reliably interpreting such extensive data to assess overall silage quality remains challenging. To address the need to interpret NIR datasets, we have developed an integrated Corn Silage Quality Index (CSQI) by selecting key indicators, such as crude protein (CP), ammonia, neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), starch, ether extract (EE), and lactic acid, and have combined them in a minimum dataset. These indicators were scored and aggregated to produce a single index value. Utilizing the CSQI, we launched a national Quality Silage Initiative across China, which included technical training and an annual silage evaluation and qualification contest across more than 900 counties and 5,600 batches of participants. Through this initiative, the quality of whole-plant corn silage has improved consistently on a national scale. This means that the increased use of high-quality silage has enhanced diet digestibility, reduced reliance on corn and supplemental protein feeds, lowered feeding costs, and ultimately improved overall farm profitability on Chinese dairies. Utilizing an index-based approach provides a practical, data-driven framework for silage quality assessment and management in the dairy industry."
International Partnership Program (IPP) Symposium: Dairy Research in China - Dairy Chain Innovation Symposium ADSA International Partnership Program Symposium 2026/06/24 09:30:00 t97220 Watch 510 Benefit of milk fat intake for lipid metabolism. 9 G. Ren whole milk,milk fat,blood lipid,gut microbiota,metabolite, G. Ren1, L. He2, Y.-X. Liu4, Y.-K. Fei1, X.-F. Liu1, Q.-Y. Lu2, X. Chen3, Z.-D. Song3, J.-Q. Wang1,5 "After 10 wk of feeding C57BL/6J mice with a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD), a 7-wk intervention with milk fat and whole milk was conducted to assess their long-term effects on host blood lipid levels. The results showed that milk fat and whole milk did not significantly elevate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in either ND- or HFD-fed mice. In ND mice, milk fat and whole milk improved gut microbiota diversity and amplicon sequence variants. Key bacterial genera, such as Blautia, Romboutsia, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, were identified as bidirectional regulators of LDL-C and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Six unique metabolites were also linked to LDL-C and HDL-C regulation. Furthermore, an optimized machine learning model accurately predicted LDL-C (R2 = 0.96) and HDL-C (R2 = 0.89) based on gut microbiota data, with 80% of the top predictive features being gut metabolites influenced by milk fat and whole milk. These findings indicate that the long-term intake of milk fat does not significantly increase the blood lipid burden, and machine learning algorithms based on gut microbiota and metabolites offer novel insights for early lipid assessment and personalized nutrition strategies."