Understanding Nutrients as Metabolic Signals, Postcalving Inflammation, and the Value of University Research Dairies with Barry Bradford, PhD

In the latest installment of Dairy Digressions, host Matt Lucy sits down with Barry Bradford, PhD, professor and C. E. Meadows Endowed Chair in Dairy Management and Nutrition at Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Animal Science, senior editor for the Journal of Dairy Science, and co-host of The Dairy Podcast Show. After growing up on a seedstock beef operation, Barry was drawn to dairy science because of its incredible complexity. After some gentle pressure from the renowned Don Beitz (and without ever taking a dairy science class!), Barry went to graduate school and now oversees a diverse research program focused on dairy cattle metabolic physiology and providing evidence-based dairy management tips to producers. Listeners will hear Barry’s elevator pitch on the hepatic oxidation theory, which posits that the liver may play a crucial role in appetite regulation in cows, acting as the “traffic cop” of metabolism by sending signals to a cow’s brain regarding feeding behavior. He and Matt also discuss his recent work on inflammation and nutrition during the transition period, touching on how nutrients—including rumen-protected choline and niacin—can act as signals to influence cell physiology and boost performance. Barry also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at MSU’s brand-new, state-of-the-art research dairy, and shares how the facility came to life and why university dairies are essential to advancing real world solutions for producers and the global dairy sector as a whole. From mentoring young scientists to solving on-farm challenges, Barry reflects on the moments that make the long haul of research worthwhile—and offers his best advice on finding your calling and setting the world on fire.

Episode Twenty-Nine Show Notes

Learn more about Barry Bradford, PhD, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

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Catch up on the papers discussed in the episode and takea virtual tour of MSU’s new dairy:

MSU hosts tour of new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, Michigan State University (2025)

Invited review: Inflammation during the transition to lactation: New adventures with an old flame, Journal of Dairy Science (2015)

Effects of prenatal dietary rumen-protected cholinesupplementation during late gestation on calf growth, metabolism, and vaccine response, Journal of Dairy Science (2022)

Symposium review: Fueling appetite: Nutrient metabolism and the control of feed intake, Journal of Dairy Science (2023)

Effects of dietary rumen-protected choline supplementation to periparturient dairy cattle on inflammation and metabolism in mammary and liver tissue during an intramammary lipopolysaccharide challenge, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Effects of rumen-protected niacin on inflammatory response to repeated intramammary lipopolysaccharide challenges, Journal of Dairy Science (2024)

Effects of rumen-protected choline supplementation on lactation performance of dairy cows: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)

On-farm supplementation of rumen-protected niacin: A randomized clinical trial, Journal of Dairy Science (2025)