In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kevin Harvatine from Penn State discusses strategies to optimize milk fat production in dairy cows. He explains the complexities of dietary fat requirements, feeding behavior, and the biological mechanisms influencing milk composition. Learn how seasonality, cow behavior, and nutritional balance interact to impact milk fat yield. Tune in now on all major platforms! "Milk fat depression isn’t caused by acetate deficiency; it’s the bioactive fatty acids decreasing the cow’s ability to make milk fat." Meet the guest: Dr. Kevin Harvatine is a Professor of Nutritional Physiology at Penn State University. With a Ph.D. from Cornell and expertise in milk fat synthesis and rumen fatty acid metabolism, his research integrates ruminant nutrition and molecular biology to improve dairy production. He explores how bioactive nutrients affect metabolic regulation. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show Dr. Mark Hanigan: Balancing Amino Acids in Feed | Ep. 107 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Balancing-Amino-Acids-in-Feed Dr. Kraig Peel: Methionine & Dairy Reproduction | Ep. 119 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Methionine-&-Dairy-Reproduction Dr. Jennifer Spencer: Heifer Reproductive Management | Ep. 122 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Heifer-Reproductive-Management What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (01:06) Introduction (02:51) Dietary fat challenges (07:19) Rumen function and diet (10:56) Feeding behavior patterns (19:03) Sodium acetate experiments (21:12) Milk fat depression (31:16) Final three questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) - SmaXtec (https://smaxtec.com/en/) - ICC (https://www.iccbrazil.com/en/) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming