In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Stacey Roberts, Senior Director of Nutrition at Versova, explains how genetics influence layer nutrient requirements and feeding strategies. She highlights digestible amino acids, alternative ingredients, and how to apply research data in commercial systems. Dr. Roberts also discusses aligning nutrition with production goals and flock challenges. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Layer nutrition benefits from broader research perspectives, including broiler studies, where faster trial cycles and higher responsiveness provide valuable insights applicable to long-cycle layer systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Stacey Roberts earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Iowa State University, focusing on animal nutrition and environmental science. As Senior Director of Nutrition at Versova, she leads feed formulation, research, and implementation strategies to improve bird performance and efficiency. Her work centers on practical poultry nutrition solutions for commercial systems.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:23) Introduction
• (03:29) Genetics impact
• (05:05) Ingredient strategies
• (06:45) Applying research
• (07:48) Mode of action
• (08:46) Broiler data use
• (10:28) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

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In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Laura Guarás, RD&A Manager at Kerry, explains how alpha-galactosidase enzymes improve the nutritional value of soybean meal in poultry diets. She explores galactooligosaccharides, nutrient availability, multi-enzyme strategies, and advances in bioengineering that improve enzyme stability and performance in feed systems. Laura also highlights practical implications for feed efficiency and ingredient variability. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Alpha-galactosidase supplementation improves digestibility of soybean carbohydrates, supporting better gut conditions, more consistent feed conversion, and improved utilization of soybean meal in poultry diets.”

Meet the guest: Laura Guarás is an RD&A Manager at Kerry, specializing in enzyme innovation for human, pet, and animal nutrition. Her work focuses on enzymology, carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, and applied research that improves digestibility, functionality, and sustainability in feed systems. Laura collaborates with global teams to develop data-driven enzyme solutions that enhance feed performance and nutrient utilization in modern poultry nutrition systems.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:35) Introduction
• (02:21) Alpha-galactosidase basics
• (05:16) Soybean energy release
• (07:00) Oligosaccharide variability
• (07:58) Multi-enzyme strategy
• (09:12) Enzyme source differences
• (12:57) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

Kerry

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this special re-run episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we bring back our conversation with Dr. Taina Lopes, a postdoctoral fellow at Auburn University, who explores how nutrition can influence immune responses to Newcastle disease in poultry. She breaks down the impact of viral shedding, immunization challenges, and the role of nutrients like vitamin D and zinc in immune support. Learn how immunity and nutrition intersect in poultry health. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Nutritional needs of the immune system differ from those for production and growth in poultry."

Meet the guest: Dr. Taina Lopes earned her PhD in Animal Science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, focusing on poultry health, nutrition, and applied bioinformatics. She is currently a researcher at Auburn University, studying immune responses and disease challenges in poultry systems. Her work connects nutrition and health to improve flock performance.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:12) Introduction
• (02:22) Newcastle disease basics
• (06:20) Immunity gaps
• (08:47) Future vaccine on immunization
• (10:32) Immune system nutrition
• (14:07) Microminerals and immunity
• (17:04) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this part two episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Juan Espino, an animal nutritionist in Guatemala, continues the conversation, now discussing amino acid density and arginine strategies to support extended lay. He explains how optimizing arginine-to-lysine ratios can improve flock uniformity, egg persistence, immune response, and shell quality through antioxidant nutrition. Learn practical approaches to maintain layer performance and metabolic balance. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Antioxidant nutrition supports the preservation of genetic information involved in shell formation and protects against oxidative damage.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Juan Espino earned his veterinary degree and a Master’s in Animal Production and Nutrition from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. He specializes in monogastric nutrition and serves as Nutrition Manager and New Projects Manager at Cia Agroindustrial Espiga S.A. His work focuses on nutrient optimization, amino acid balance, and practical strategies to improve poultry production efficiency.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:13) Introduction
• (02:13) Arginine ratio strategy
• (03:29) Uniformity improvement
• (05:16) Persistence discussion
• (06:43) Immune regulation
• (09:03) Amino acid density
• (10:20) Final Questions

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- Anitox

- DietForge

- Poultry Science Association

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Bethany Alexander, PhD student at Virginia Tech, discusses the role of choline in laying hen nutrition and its importance for liver health and fat metabolism. Research evaluating a natural choline alternative compared different dietary strategies and explored impacts on egg production and egg quality. Results highlight opportunities and limitations of current approaches. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Natural phytoactive alternatives to choline supplementation can offer additional biological properties such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity while supporting liver function."

Meet the guest: Bethany Alexander is a PhD student in poultry nutrition at Virginia Tech and a graduate research assistant focused on layer nutrition and metabolic health. Her academic background in animal sciences from Tennessee Technological University supports research evaluating dietary strategies that influence liver function, egg production, and nutrient metabolism in laying hens.

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What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:16) Introduction
• (02:12) Fat metabolism
• (03:10) Choline alternatives
• (04:02) Diet treatments
• (05:09) Hen age
• (05:58) Liver evaluation
• (06:53) Closing thoughts

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

Barentz

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this part one episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Juan Espino, an animal nutritionist in Guatemala, discusses nutritional strategies for extended lay cycles up to 100 weeks. He explains phase feeding, calcium management, body weight control, amino acid balance, and antioxidant support to sustain shell quality and persistency. Learn practical approaches to improve long-term layer performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Today’s layers show higher feed intake and larger body size compared to birds from 20 years ago.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Juan Espino earned his veterinary degree and a Master’s in Animal Production and Nutrition from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. He specializes in monogastric nutrition and serves as Nutrition Manager and New Projects Manager at Cia Agroindustrial Espiga S.A. His work focuses on nutrient optimization, amino acid balance, and practical strategies to improve poultry production efficiency.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:21) Introduction
• (02:40) Extended lay challenge
• (05:17) Higher feed intake
• (07:03) Shell quality focus
• (09:22) Pre lay phase
• (13:18) Arginine strategy
• (15:02) Final Questions

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this part 2 episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Oluyinka Olukosi, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, continues the conversation explaining how resistant starch influences gut health and performance responses in broilers. He discusses feeding duration, timing of inclusion, disease challenge models, and practical ingredient considerations for commercial diets. Dr. Olukosi highlights research-driven strategies that balance biological effects with economic feasibility for modern poultry systems. Listen now on all major platforms!

“We saw that the birds that received resistant starch in their diet did well up to the time that they were challenged.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Oluyinka Olukosi is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in poultry nutrition and nutrient utilization. He serves as Editor in Chief of British Poultry Science and Section Editor for Poultry Science and the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. His research focuses on functional feed components and gut health.

Click here to read the full research article:

The interactivity of sources and dietary levels of resistant starches – impact on growth performance, starch, and nutrient digestibility, digesta oligosaccharides profile, cecal microbial metabolites, and indicators of gut health in broiler chickens

Dietary inclusion of raw potato or high-amylose-corn resistant starches fed for different durations: impact on phenotypic responses and indicators of gut health of broiler chickens

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:34) Introduction
• (03:06) Feeding duration
• (05:03) Rapid gut response
• (05:35) Disease challenge
• (08:11) Research direction
• (09:16) Combined strategies
• (14:02) Final Questions

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- DietForge

- Poultry Science Association

- Anitox

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus

In this part 1 episode of the Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Oluyinka Olukosi, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, explains how resistant starch functions as a nutritional strategy to support poultry gut health. He outlines starch digestion, fermentation benefits, feed processing effects, and practical inclusion levels. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Pelleting does not completely eliminate starch resistance, because measurable amounts of resistant starch remain present in finished poultry diets.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Oluyinka Olukosi is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in poultry nutrition and nutrient utilization. He serves as Editor in Chief of British Poultry Science and Section Editor for Poultry Science and the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. His research focuses on functional feed components and gut health.

Click here to read the full research article:

The interactivity of sources and dietary levels of resistant starches – impact on growth performance, starch, and nutrient digestibility, digesta oligosaccharides profile, cecal microbial metabolites, and indicators of gut health in broiler chickens

Dietary inclusion of raw potato or high-amylose-corn resistant starches fed for different durations: impact on phenotypic responses and indicators of gut health of broiler chickens

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:20) Introduction
• (02:32) Fermentation importance
• (04:44) Starch classification
• (06:40) Heat processing
• (09:23) Practical inclusion
• (12:43) Commercial use
• (14:24) Final Questions

The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- Poultry Science Association

- DietForge

- Anitox

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Poultry Campus

LinkedIn: Poultry Campus