Welcome to Dairy Digressions, the podcast from the American Dairy Science Association. Every other month, host Matt Lucy, PhD, explores the latest developments, fascinating discoveries, and breaking trends in the world of dairy science.
From pioneering technologies to innovative research, we cover a range of topics related to the dairy industry and go behind the scenes of the top labs and minds in dairy research. Listen in as we dig deep into the science of dairy and discover what’s new and exciting in this ever-evolving field.
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Rethinking Statistics and P-Values in Dairy Science Publishing, Plus Dairying in New Zealand with Richard Laven, BVSc, PhD
Season 4 · Episode 40
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 • Duration 01:02:32
Are we really looking at what our data might be saying, or are we all overrelying on a blanket approach to p-values? This is the discussion that inspired the paper at the center of our latest episode. Richard Laven, BVSc, PhD, professor of production animal health and welfare at Massey University’s Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science in New Zealand, joins host Matt Lucy to talk about his JDS Communications article, “Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research,” coauthored with D. AaronYang, a statistician and epidemiologist with Nanjing Agricultural University. The Editor’s Choice article came out in late 2025 and ranked among the journal’s most downloaded papers of the year. Richard and Matt start by discussing Richard’s path to veterinary science and some of the unique features of New Zealand dairying. They then work through the three issues the paper addresses: comparing results by their significance levels, treating a nonsignificant result as proof of no effect, and calling results near a significance thresholda trend or tendency. Drawing on real examples from the peer reviewed literature, including a fertility study that reported no effect despite a 7% difference in pregnancy rate, Richard makes the case for confidence intervals, effect sizes,and practical importance as a clearer way to show what the data can and can’t rule out. While it may take longer, he recommends that all of his students actually look at the effect their work found, since that is the interesting thing. They also dig into the paper’s calls to action toward four reporting standards for journals and reviewers, and why taking the extra time with your statistics is an investment in good scientific practice and results in better information for you and your readers.
ADSA cares about keeping you connected to the experts andlatest science across the entire dairy spectrum. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inboxin one streamlined, monthly email.
Explore the papers and resources discussed in theepisode:
In Vitro Breeding, Genetics of Feed Efficiency, and Transitioning from Academia to Industry with Pablo Ross, DVM, PhD
Season 4 · Episode 39
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 01:10:24
Members of the ADSA community represent the full spectrum of careers in dairy science, from academia to industry, dairy production to dairy foods, and everything in between. Join us for an episode that takes us into the vast options and impacts of dairy science work as host Matt Lucy is joined by Pablo Ross, DVM, PhD, chief scientific officer at STgenetics and former professor of animal science at the University of California, Davis. Pablo, the son of a veterinarian, grew up in a small town in Argentina and found his career path through swine pathology research, which showed him what a life in science could actually offer. A conversation at a conference with Jose Cibelli, DVM, PhD, then led him to academia, where he spent years working on animal reproduction with an emphasis on gametes, early embryos, and embryonic stem cells. He explains his contributions to the explosion of efficiencies in animal genetic improvement, including the science of induced pluripotency—how an oocyte erases a cell’s epigenetic memory, sending a differentiated cell backward to an embryonic state and then forward into whatever tissue is needed. He and Matt trace that work to in vitro breeding, which could shorten the generational interval by keeping the whole cycle in a dish, generating embryos, isolating stem cells from the strongest candidates, and starting again without waiting on an animal to grow up. Along the way, he explains how he came to transition from research and teaching to his industry role at STGenetics. At STgenetics, Pablo works on how genetic improvements can help farmers and producers be more efficient and more profitable, highlighting his work on ECO$ and EcoFeed, selection indexes designed to help producers achieve these goals. He also makes the case for industry as a place to do serious science, approaching genetics, as he puts it, through the mind of a physiologist.
The Science and the Stakes of Raw Milk Consumption with Pam Ruegg, Nicole Martin, and Daniel Griffin
Season 4 · Episode 38
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 01:08:08
If you study or work in dairy, chances are high that you’ve recently fielded a question or seen a headline about raw milk. Join us for an episode of the pod where host Matt Lucy brings together three experts from across the cow-to-consumer spectrum to work through the science of unpasteurized milk and cheese and to help us all be better communicators and stewards of the science of raw milk and risk. We’re thrilled to have two beloved return guests: Pam Ruegg, DVM, MPMV, ADSA fellow and David J. Ellis Chair in Antimicrobial Resistance and Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, and Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program and Cornell Dairy Foods Center in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. The trio is joined by special new guest Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, instructor in clinical medicine, associate research scientist in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University, and host of two podcasts, This Week in Virology and This Week in Parasitism, from the American Society for Microbiology. Together, the group explores why raw milk is seeing a sudden resurgence in public interest and examines the risks from what’s happening on the farm to what happens in the human body. Despite massive advancements in milk quality, pathogens like Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria can still find their way into bulk tanks. Because spot testing can’t guarantee 100% safety, Nicole explains how pasteurization steps in to eliminate these risks. Daniel then adds the human health perspective, outlining what these infections look like in patients and why certain groups face much higher stakes.
The conversation covers everything from why even dairy calves drink pasteurized milk to how we can communicate clearly when public perception clashes with established science. Finally, the group connects on a shared truth: Many consumers choose raw milk out of a desire to connect with their food and local farmers. Fortunately, safety doesn’t require sacrifice—countless small, local producers offer exceptional, safe, and pasteurized dairy products that you can trust.
H5N1’s Mammary Gland Connection in Livestock (and Humans) with Rahul Nelli, PhD, MVM, and Todd Bell, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Season 4 · Episode 37
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 • Duration 51:21
When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 jumped from poultry to dairy cattle in 2024, it raised urgent questions about how exactly this respiratory virus found its way into milk. Our guests today, coauthors Rahul Nelli, PhD, MVM, and Todd Bell, DVM, PhD, DACVP, both from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, were at the forefront of understanding that viral load in milk was due to sialic acid receptors in the mammary glands of dairy cows, which act like docking stations for H5N1. Given that the outbreak has spilled over into other species, the team then wondered: Could the mammary tissue of other species also support H5N1 infection, potentially including humans? Their latest research, published in the Journal of Dairy Scienceand involving multiple institutions, examined mammary glands from pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas, and human breast tissue, finding that all contained high levels of sialic acid receptors susceptible to both avian influenza and seasonal influenza. The two discuss what these findings mean for viral transmission pathways and the human-animal interface, including that there is potential for transmission among these other domestic mammals and humans. With 71 human cases documented in the current outbreak and high viral loads detected in unpasteurized milk from infected animals, understanding these pathways becomes crucial for protecting animals, agricultural workers, and consumers.
Episode Thirty-Seven Show Notes
Learn more about our guests and follow them on LinkedIn: Rahul Nelli and Todd Bell.
Want to connect with other researchers on the leading edge of dairy science? Join us at the in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this June, where you can connect directly with experts driving dairy forward.
Veronika the Cow, Clever Tool Use, and Bovine Cognition Breakthroughs with Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró, PhD
Season 4 · Episode 36
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 • Duration 55:31
Have you heard of Veronika? The 13‑year‑old pet Swiss brown living in Austria has gone viral for being the first cow documented using tools intelligently and flexibly—a revelation that has stunned the scientific and global community. We’re honored to welcome Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna’s comparative cognition team, who led the study on Veronika. Antonio explains why his area of research is extremely picky about what constitutes tool use—it requires more than just interacting with an object. It’s about an animal handling an object to extend their own body’s capabilities to make the impossible possible. Tooling is a phenomenon that is extremely rare in nature, yet touches a wildly diverse list of species, from Goffin’s cockatoos to dolphins, elephants, chimpanzees, crows, and even digger wasps. Although Veronika started with sticks and rakes, the study team provided Veronika with a broom, observing that she was not only able to use it to extend her ability to scratch parts of her body she otherwise couldn’t reach, but also that she had awareness and sensitivity to the two parts of the broom: the stick end and the brush end. Veronika preferred the brush end for most scratches, but switched to the gentle handle end to deliberately and precisely reach sensitive areas like the base of her tail—a flexible tooling behavior that astounded Antonio and his team.
Matt and Antonio explore what about Veronika’s life in Austria might set her apart from other cows, what the team is studying next, and why their initial findings challenge long‑held assumptions about cow cognition. The two explore what they hope is the impact of these findings; that all scientists humbly reconsider the creatures we thought we already understood.
Competition, Community, and the Future of Dairy’s Rising Stars with the 2025 ADSA Student Award Winners
Season 4 · Episode 35
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 • Duration 58:12
The pod belongs to the students once again as we welcome four of our 2025 ADSA Graduate and Undergraduate Student Division winners!
Each year at the ADSA Annual Meeting, top competitors in dairy production and dairy foods face off for cash prizes—and the pride that comes from developing excellence in both scientific rigor and scientific storytelling. Some of this year’s first-place winners include Mitchell T. Armstrong from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2025 Dairy Management Inc. Graduate Student Paper Presentation Contest in Dairy Foods Research), Savitha Saikumar from the University of Florida (2025 ADSA Graduate Student Division Three-Minute Thesis competition), Tessa Tauke, president of the ADSA Undergraduate Student Division (USD), from Iowa State University (2025 ADSA-USD Undergraduate Student Oral Contest in Dairy Foods), and Brooke Seelenbinder of Michigan State University (2025 ADSA-USD Undergraduate Student Oral Contest: Original Research/Independent Study). Their award-winning research spans the frontiers of dairy science, from whey protein phospholipid concentrate and bone health to postbiotic supplementation in transition cows to dietary fatty acid balancing in mid-lactation cows to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or “forever chemicals” in dairy products. Together, they share what inspired them to compete, how they prepared for high-pressure presentations, and the mentors—such as Adam Lock and Barry Bradford—who shaped their paths to the winning podium.
The group also reflects on where their degrees may take them next and how ADSA’s community and diversity, as well as the broad range of science at the Annual Meeting, have already influenced their careers. Their stories underscore why supporting emerging scientists is central to ADSA’s mission and the bright future of the dairy industry.
Episode Thirty-Five Show Notes
Graduate Student Division and , including their robust award programs and the many benefits for student members.
Impact Factors, Artificial Intelligence, and the Importance of Listening as a Leader of the Journal of Dairy Science with Paul Kononoff, PhD, and Laura Hernandez, PhD
Season 3 · Episode 34
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Duration 44:40
We know our journals are the engine behind the ADSA community, but have you ever been curious about how the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) comes together? Join us for a rare look at the stewardship required to keep dairy science’s gold standard journal moving as Matt interviews outgoing Editor in Chief Paul Kononoff, PhD, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at the University of Nebraska, and incoming Editor in Chief Laura Hernandez, PhD, professor of lactation physiology and director of the Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Graduate Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. We trace their weaving paths to their dairy science careers, from early days influenced by icons like Bob Collier and Jud Heinrichs to their current roles steering the world’s leading dairy research publication. The conversation details Paul’s tenure, which began just as the global COVID pandemic took hold. He reflects on the “great leap of faith” required to guide the journal through that time of transition, as well as the monumental move to Open Access. The group discusses how ADSA remains committed to providing affordable publishing options for its members, emphasizing the importance of making science accessible to the world, and the refreshed loyalty program designed to reward our dedicated community of reviewers and authors. Listeners will also hear the origins of the JDS Club 100 and the impact of seeing the journal reach a 4.4 Impact Factor under Paul’s leadership.
Looking toward the future, Laura shares her vision for the journal’s next chapter. She tackles the challenges of generative artificial intelligence and explains her goals for growing dairy foods representation through interdisciplinary research that bridges production and processing. The episode wraps up with a look at the essential partnership between JDS and , some surprising revelations about what these two scientists would be doing if they weren’t in academia, and a heartfelt exchange of advice on how to lead by simply listening to the ADSA community.
Understanding Animal Welfare and Giving Cows a Voice Through Science with Jennifer Van Os, PhD
Season 3 · Episode 33
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 • Duration 55:27
How might dairy science involve dancing and video games? Find out as Matt sits down with Jennifer Van Os, PhD, associate professor and extension specialist in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Jennifer’s path to dairy began in an unexpected place—human psychology—where her early love of applied science set her on a course toward solving challenges for farmers and their cows. Today, her motto, “Giving cows a voice through science,” guides her lab’s work on understanding animal welfare and developing accessible tools to improve the physical, behavioral, and social well-being of dairy cows. The two discuss one such tool, Mooving Cows, a gaming app inspired by flight simulators that allows dairy staff to practice cow-handling skills in a safe, interactive way to keep animals calm and secure during daily movements on the farm. Although she never set out to work in gaming, Jennifer explains how cow handling is like a dance, and that direct feedback from her local farming community inspired the active, hands-on learning solution. Beyond technology, Matt and Jennifer discuss broader themes of public perception of dairy welfare, industry resilience, and herd longevity. Jennifer explains why pair housing can be a win-win for both calves and farmers, and why the future of animal welfare may hinge on giving cows more agency through choice. Along the way, she shares career advice from mentors such as Cassandra Tucker and Paul Fricke, and reflects on the vital role of extension specialists in bridging science with daily farm practice to make improvements for farmers and their cows alike.
What We Know About Biofilms and Dairy—Interview with Authors of the Journal of Dairy Science Special Issue | cohosted by Nicole Martin, PhD
Season 3 · Episode 32
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • Duration 59:20
Explore the fascinating, frustrating world of microbial biofilms in this special episode of Dairy Digressions! Matt is joined by returning guest and special cohost Nicole Martin, PhD, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. In this episode, they host two contributors to the recent Journal of Dairy Sciencespecial issue devoted to biofilm formation in dairy: Mérilie Gagnon, PhD, coeditor of the Biofilm Formation in Dairy: A Food Safety Concern special issue and microbiology researcher at the Centre ACER, and Tara Wilson, a food science PhD candidate from the University of Guelph. They explain that these invisible communities of bacteria and fungi cling to surfaces from farm to factory, potentially contaminating milk, causing mastitis in cows, and compromising dairy quality and safety. Given the high level of interconnection in the dairy sector, this special issue aimed to present a holistic “One Biofilm” perspective, emphasizing that understanding and controlling biofilms necessitates an integrated strategy that connects farms, processing plants, and the environment. Mérilie walks listeners through the process of how biofilms form and explains that while not all biofilms are bad—some are central to the development of culture and flavor in dairy and maple syrup products, for example—understanding and controlling them is critical for both human and animal health. Nicole and Tara discuss the miles and miles of piping and equipment in dairies and processing plants, explain the power of a good acid wash, review current cleaning protocols, and explore promising new tools like improved equipment design, ultraviolet detection, and machine learning data-prediction tools that can anticipate increasing biofilm risk. Whether you’re in production or dairy, don’t miss this introduction to the microbes that rule our world!
Solving the Puzzle of H5N1 in Dairy: A One Health Conversation with Jason Lombard, DVM
Season 3 · Episode 31
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 01:04:50
In this episode of Dairy Digressions, host Matt Lucy welcomes Jason Lombard, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist, associate professor, and dairy systems specialist at Colorado State University, and lead author of the Journal of Dairy Science invited review, The One Health Challenges and Opportunities of the H5N1 Outbreak in Dairy Cattle in the United States. Drawing on his experience as the point person on the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreak and the learnings he gleaned from his expert coauthors on the review, Jason provides an update on the latest science we have on the virus and reviews its immense impact to date on animals, the US food supply, and people working in agriculture. He explains what the One Health concept means in practice, showing how dairy farms function as complex ecosystems where animals, humans, and environments are linked. The conversation also explores why the exact mechanisms of transmission—whether through the movement of cows, people, trucks, milk, or aerosols—remain so difficult to pin down. Beyond the science, Jason reflects on his career path from veterinary private practice to his time with the US Department of Agriculture to Colorado State University, describing how epidemiology feels like solving a crime, and how curiosity and humility in the face of what we still don’t know fuel his work. This episode offers a critical update on the H5N1 outbreak and connects breaking research with the lived realities of the dairy sector. It underscores why a One Health perspective will be essential not only in navigating H5N1 but also in strengthening the dairy and agricultural sectors for outbreaks yet to come.
Want more science on the H5N1 outbreak in dairy? Catch up on the , and join us at the in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June!
ADSA is committed to creating spaces for the open exchange of science and information between all members of the dairy science community. The Discover Conference series is the perfect place for interdisciplinary conversations between researchers, academics, students, and industry professionals in a setting small enough to ask real questions and get real answers. Explore the program for the forthcoming Dairy and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities session and register to join the event running from August 31 through September 3, 2026, at Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, Illinois.
ADSA cares about keeping you connected to the experts andlatest science across the entire dairy spectrum. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inbox in one streamlined, monthly email.
Dairy science is changing fast. Ensure you never miss a breaking finding by subscribing to ADSA’s newest newsletter, JDS | JDSC Selects. Get a personalized delivery of the most relevant articles from both the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS Communications directly to your inbox in onestreamlined, monthly email.
Connect with dairy’s next generation and refresh your scientific inspiration at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this June!
The 2026 Three-Minute Thesis Challenge is still open! Learn more and submit your science before Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT to enter this year’s competition.
Join Paul and Laura—and the larger journal community—at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your research during our call for abstracts, which closes on February 10, 2026!
Curious about the latest animal welfare research and what cool new tools Jennifer’s lab might be working on? Join us at the ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June and submit your research during our call for abstracts, closing February 10, 2026!
Want a chance to speak directly with—and learn from—dairyscience experts like Jennifer? Look out for the next ADSA Discover Conference coming in fall 2026!
Want even more of the latest dairy food science? Join us atthe ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your emerging dairy foods research during our call for abstracts, closing February 10, 2026!
