Episode 49 - The latest breakthroughs in Australasian dairy science

Deputy Editor Anne Lee attended the Australasian Dairy Science Symposium in November, and got the chance to talk to some of the researchers speaking at the conference. Hear the latest research in areas like managing heat stress, stacking mitigations to reduce N losses, and getting enough sleep.  Guests include: Dr Angela Lees, The University of Queensland Dr Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin Lucy Hall, DairyNZ Nicole Wheadon, DairyNZ   Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Dr Angela Lees from the University of Queensland has been part of a study using a probiotic to help cows withstand heat stress, to help the gut buffer heat stress symptoms. They found it was effective at lowering rumen temperature slightly and works by protecting rumen structures which in turn helps prevent bacteria getting into the blood stream and setting off an immune response. Dr Jennifer Van Os from the University of Wisconsin discusses research into early intervention when it comes to heat stress in cows. She says it’s about not waiting until there’s severe consequences such as infertility, loss of productivity, or survivability, but instead listening to the cows when they are showing discomfort.  DairyNZ Scientist Lucy Hall discusses a study they’ve done into how well farmers sleep during busy periods, and through quieter periods, and whether they are getting the quality of sleep needed - unsurprisingly, most of them aren’t.  DairyNZ’s Nicole Wheadon shares findings from their first year of research into the impact of stacked mitigations on N losses at farmlet scale.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.