In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. David Casper, dairy nutritionist at Casper’s Calf Ranch in Illinois, shares research on calf air quality and ammonia control in hutches. He explains how bedding management and sodium bisulfate reduced ammonia by 85% and improved average daily gain. Dr. Casper also discusses practical insights on colostrum transfer and calf performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Calf hutches are the gold standard for environmental quality, but bedding can become an issue. When we started using soy hulls, I started noticing ammonia in the hutches. That's when we started getting concerned.”

Meet the guest: Dr. David Casper earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Dairy and Animal Science from South Dakota State University. With experience at USDA ARS and in dairy nutrition leadership roles, he now leads contract calf research at Casper’s Calf Ranch in Illinois, focusing on nutrition, air quality, and performance.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:28) Introduction
• (05:33) Hutch systems overview
• (08:34) Ammonia measurement methods
• (11:21) Ammonia reduction results
• (13:28) Growth performance impact
• (16:33) Recommended resources

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