The Dairy Podcast Show - #10 - Do we really know how the rumen microbiology works?

The rumen is probably the most important machinery that drives cows’ production and health, yet there remains a lot that is unknown of how the rumen actually works. Mimicking the rumen environment in in vitro systems has been an important tool to understand rumen microbiology. Dr. Antonio Faciola, our guest on today’s episode, replicates the rumen environment in systems called fermenters. He and his group strive for a better understanding of how rumen microbiology works. He talks about the rumen microbes’ effects on methane production and possible effects in immune response in dairy cows. 

What you’ll learn:

1. Why do rumen make cows such special animals?
2. Studying the rumen outside of the cow 
3. Selection of rumen fluid to form fermenters
4. Disadvantages of the in vitro system 
5. In vitro systems to understand methane production
6. Lipopolysaccharides
7. Rumen acidosis and LPS levels
8. Is the rumen leaking?
9.  Next steps on understanding rumen biology  

Meet the guest: Dr. Antonio Faciola started his career in Brazil and received his Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin. Further, he received his Post-doctorate at Cornell University and ARS – USDA. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Livestock Nutrition in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. His overall research goal is to further our understanding of ruminant nutrition, to improve the efficiency of nutrient use as a means to enhance animal production and minimize negative environmental impacts.