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PODCAST

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal

Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health

Welcome to our Balchem Pet Food series—the podcast that opens up the bag and looks at what really goes into better pet nutrition. In this introductory video, you’ll meet the experts and the science behind Balchem’s ingredient solutions, and hear how they’re used by formulators to support digestion, skin & coat, energy metabolism, and overall well being. Subscribe to follow along as we unpack the latest research, practical formulation tips, and stories from across the pet food industry.

science life sciences

All Episodes

00:41:20

Effects of Diet on Hydration in Healthy Cats

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/10/01

The conversation opens with Dr. Kosmal's unconventional path into feline science, tracing back to her PhD research on eastern cottontail rabbits in wildlife rehabilitation. She explains how those early studies in rabbit behavior and welfare still shape the way she designs and interprets her current feline hydration research today (1:09 – 6:01).From there, the discussion turns to why cat hydration remains such a persistently tricky problem for owners and researchers alike. Dr. Kosmal unpacks the

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00:30:00

Supply Chain Disruptions on US Food Security

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/09/24

The episode opens with introductions to the panel and an overview of the iFeeder report, setting the stage for a conversation focused on supply chain stability and its importance to the animal feed and food industries. (00:00 – 01:08)The discussion begins with the mission of iFeeder and the origin of the resiliency challenge, highlighting how the organization was tasked with providing fact-based data to quantify risks tied to disruptions in vitamin and amino acid supply chains. (01:08 –

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00:44:29

Circular Nutrition: Unlocking the Value of Upcycled...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/09/17

To begin, Dr. D. Ocker shares her professional journey through academia, pet food research and development, human food innovation, and ingredient technology. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about identifying opportunities to transform underutilized food resources into valuable nutritional ingredients.Next, Trent Small discusses his role at International Ingredients Corporation and explains how IIC evaluates emerging ingredient opportunities, assesses manufacturing feasibility,

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00:30:05

Student Showcase: North Carolina State University

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/09/03

The episode begins with an overview of Dr. Bielke's research program at North Carolina State University. Her work focuses on enteric disease challenges, turkey health, immune responses to vaccination, and strategies that improve bird resilience while minimizing production impacts associated with live vaccination programs. Furthermore, the discussion highlights the growing importance of understanding how vaccination affects not only immunity but also overall gut function. It also covers long-term

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00:50:25

Feline Nutrition Report

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/08/20

The episode begins with Dr. Shoveller sharing her academic journey from animal biology and comparative nutrition. She became a leader in companion animal nutrition research. She discusses her efforts to build one of North America's premier companion animal nutrition programs at the University of Guelph. Additionally, she introduces a new pet food-focused educational initiative. This initiative is designed to prepare the next generation of professionals for careers in pet food innovation, nutrition,

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00:26:43

Flexible Feeding: Alternative Pet Foods and Value...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/08/06

The discussion then examines flexible feeding practices and why pet owners are supplementing traditional diets with wet foods, fresh products, human foods, freeze-dried ingredients, and toppers. Survey results reveal that pet owners primarily seek greater variety, enhanced nutrition, improved wellness, and increased meal enjoyment for their pets. (02:54 – 05:22) The conversation also explores potential challenges associated with flexible feeding, including overfeeding risk, caloric excess, and

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00:25:35

Student Showcase: Mississippi State with Charis Waters

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/07/23

The episode opens with introductions and background on Mississippi State’s poultry nutrition program, including Dr. Adakari’s research focus and Charis Waters’ work on layer nutrition and amino acid optimization. (00:00 – 05:15) The discussion then shifts into Charis’s research on branched-chain amino acids—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—and their role in laying hen performance, particularly across pullet, peak, and late production phases. (05:15 – 07:05) A key theme of the episode is the

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00:38:20

Step Into the Future - AI with Johanna Ballesteros,...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/07/09

The episode opens with an introduction to the panel and a high-level overview of AI’s rapid acceleration across food and feed systems, setting the stage for a discussion on separating real-world applications from hype. (00:00 – 00:50) The panelists then outline current AI trends, noting that while adoption in the pet food industry has lagged slightly, companies are increasingly leveraging AI for customer insights, marketing optimization, and early-stage operational improvements. (00:50 –

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00:49:35

The Changing U.S. Regulatory Landscape for Pet Food...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/06/25

The episode opens with introductions to the Pet Food Institute team and an overview of the regulatory challenges facing the industry today, including shifting expectations for manufacturers and innovators. (00:00 – 01:02) The conversation then introduces the role of the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and highlights leadership transitions, as well as the organization’s long-standing focus on food safety, regulatory advocacy, and industry support. (01:02 – 02:57) The panel also discusses the growing

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00:28:47

Pet Food Collab: Student Showcase with guests Amelia...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/06/11

The guests introduce themselves and talk a little about their research. Amelia is a MS student, and Katelyn and Larissa are working on their PhDs in the pet food program at K-State. Katelyn is researching raw versus thermally processed diets, looking at nutrient losses, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunomarkers. Larissa had two main projects: one to evaluate dry bakery products as an ingredient in extruded dog diets, and the other used a pine oil rich in resin acids at two different levels

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00:49:51

Pet Nutrition & Innovation with guest: Dr. Julia...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/05/28

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds. Dr. Pezzali’s nutritional priorities for cats are urinary health and obesity. William notes some of the important logistical considerations for APHIS export approval. (4:09)Dr. Pezzali estimates that about 60% of cats in the US are obese. She notes her group is researching nutraceuticals that may increase energy expenditure in cats to help combat cat obesity. Dr. Altom chimes in to remind listeners that cats are not just small dogs and that their

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00:50:04

The Value of Academia & Industry Collaboration: How...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/05/14

Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (1:08)Rachelle gives an overview of what industry partnerships can look like at K-State. Dr. Schuh notes that one of the best ways to understand partner needs is for content experts from both entities to be talking to one another. She highlights some of the one-stop-shop resources that a land-grant university can provide. (8:30) Leah and Melissa give their perspectives as industry partners with K-State. Purposeful internships that meet a specific

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00:56:19

From Concept to Bowl: Translating Vision Into a...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/04/23

Leah gave a presentation titled “From Concept to Bowl: Translating Vision Into a Successful New Product to Market.” She describes the process at her company as a complex, highly collaborative technical process that requires cross-functional collaboration. Simmons uses a stage-gate new product development process, allowing all teams to co-own the initiative. (5:45)The panel talks through different stages of taking a new product to market and what each entails. Ideation and market research to

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00:51:50

Processing & Artificial Intelligence with guests Jay...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/04/09

Allison gives some examples of how AI can be used in production facilities. Sensors on equipment, production schedules, product formulation, supply chain, logistics, and marketing were all mentioned. (11:24)The panel talks about challenges for small and mid-size companies when it comes to deploying AI. Jay discusses how a company can go about adding AI to its production system. (16:45) Debbie details results from an online survey her group conducted about how many companies in the industry were

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00:45:51

Ingredient Approval Pathways with guests: Dr. Kathy...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/03/26

Dr. Larson gave a presentation about the two new pathways for ingredient approval. She gives an overview of the background of ingredient approval, including the recent dissolution of the MOU between FDA and AAFCO, which had been a partnership for the old AAFCO ingredient definition process. The two new pathways are AFIC (Animal Feed Ingredient Consultation) and SRIS (Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions). AFIC is a temporary FDA program launched in 2025 while the Food Additive Petition and

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00:55:21

Marketing, Economics & Consumer Behavior with guests...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/03/12

Dr. Shanoyan gave a presentation titled “Wishlist to Shopping Cart: Understanding Pet Food Buyers’ Preferences and Purchasing Behaviors.” Consumers were asked what they would like to buy (wishlist) and what they’re currently buying (shopping cart), and attributes were matched between the two sets of answers. What are the differences between someone whose wishlist and shopping cart match perfectly and someone whose wishlist and shopping cart do not? (10:19)Dr. Hobbs’ presentation was “Pet Food

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00:20:52

University Spotlight: Kansas State University: Dr....

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/02/26

Dr. Pezzali gives an overview of the pet food program at K-State. Students can focus on any of the different disciplines essential to pet food, such as nutrition, safety, or processing. The program has a strong connection to industry through research, teaching, and outreach and prepares students for careers in the industry through their Feed and Pet Food Science major. Dr. Pezzali also introduces her two graduate students, Nayara and Amelia. (4:33)The panel talks about the K-State conference,

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00:36:36

University Spotlight: Auburn University; Guests: Dr....

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/02/12

Panelists introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:45)Dr. Starkey describes the Auburn University pet food research and teaching program. Their goal is to teach students food science research techniques while upcycling low economic value meat processing co-products into high value, marketable pet products. (4:46) Leila shares about why she chose Auburn for her undergraduate career, how she got involved in the pet food program, and her experience at the Imaginarium event at Auburn. This event

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00:42:43

Insect protein in pet food: Assessing consumer...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/01/22

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:51)Dr. Hobbs gives an overview of his presentation about pet owners’ perceptions, knowledge and willingness to pay for insect proteins. Insect proteins are currently a specialty product with some scalability and supply chain issues, resulting in higher prices than other proteins in the market. The panel discusses protein and lipid properties of insects, sustainability,

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00:51:55

Innovating pet nutrition: Combating the pet obesity...

Real Science Exchange - Companion Animal ·

2026/01/06

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. Guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds (00:56)Dr. Gross gives an overview of her presentation, including the rise of pet obesity and the lack of industry response in providing products for today’s less active pets. Upwards of 60% of dogs and cats in the US are considered overweight or obese. Her talk focused on what the industry can do to help pet parents battle obesity issues in their pets. Options include

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