In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Mike Hutjens, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, shares valuable tools to optimize calcium levels in transition cows. He breaks down how strategies like DCAD diets and zeolites can help prevent calcium-related health issues, ensuring cows stay healthy and productive through the critical early stages of lactation. Don’t miss his practical tips for better herd management. Listen now on all major platforms! "When blood calcium is low in fresh cows, it leads to a cascade of problems with milk production, reproduction, and immunity." Meet the guest: Dr. Mike Hutjens https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hutjens-b1773713/ is a Professor Emeritus in Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. With extensive experience in dairy nutrition and herd management, Dr. Hutjens has contributed to the development of educational materials for dairy professionals worldwide. He has worked extensively on improving transition cow health, focusing on blood calcium management to optimize dairy production. 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. Michael Hutjens: Buffer Benefits for Dairy Cows | Ep. 58 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Buffer-Benefits-for-Dairy-Cows Dr. Michael Steele: Colostrum Feeding Strategies | Ep. 104 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Colostrum-Feeding-Strategies Dr. Miguel Morales: Transition Cows & Calcium Balance | Ep. 126 https://www.wisenetix.com/blog/Transition-Cows-&-Calcium-Balance What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:43) Introduction (03:09) Calcium in fresh cows (05:47) DCAD diet best practices (08:35) Zeolite use in dairy (14:22) Boluses insights (19:53) Monitoring fresh cows (22:39) Final three questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: Protekta (https://protekta.com) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - SmaXtec (https://smaxtec.com/en/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - dsm-firmenich (http://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - ICC (https://www.iccbrazil.com/en/) 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