Research program focused on the microbiological mechanisms underlying feed efficiency, enteric emissions, and nutrition in beef cattle. Posts are my own.
Knoxville, TN
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🎉 Congratulations to @Rachel_flinch on successfully defending her MS thesis!
Her work explored how the #rumen #microbiome influences #MethaneEmissions & #FeedEfficiency in forage-based beef #cattle operations. Excited to see what’s next for her!
@UTAnimalScience @UTAgResearch
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Proud to have our lab representing @UTKnoxville & @UTIAg at #ASMMicrobe 2026 in D.C.
Our students are presenting research spanning #FeedSupplements, #MethaneMitigation, #FeedEfficiency, & next-gen #Probiotics—all aimed at improving the future of #AnimalAg.
@UTAgResearch
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A great outing today with a delegation of Brazilian researchers and educators at the @UTIAg.
Really enjoyed the conversations, exchanging ideas, and getting to know each other’s work. Excited for future collaboration!
Many thanks to the @utsmithcenter for making it possible.
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Grateful to mentor in @ASMicrobiology Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship over the past 2 years.
The future of #microbiology is in good hands. This program brings together driven, thoughtful early-career scientists & gives them the space to grow.
#Mentorship @UTAgResearch
ALT Image Credit - FLMF Cohort - ASM Microbe 2025
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Grateful for the opportunity to share ideas in Expanding Horizons alongside an inspiring group of faculty pushing boundaries across disciplines
Big thanks to @ResearchUTK & @UTAgResearch for investing in faculty development & fostering the next generation of research leadership
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After working with efficiency & resilience phenotypes long enough, you realize it’s rarely about which microbes are present — it’s about what they’re doing & when.
That realization changes how you sample, analyze, & interpret nearly everything.
#RumenMicrobiome
@UTAgResearch
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Feed efficiency isn’t just the animal — it’s the animal & its microbes.
We’re treating feed efficiency as a whole-system trait — integrating rumen microbes, host genomics, & precision phenotypes to understand why some animals are biologically more efficient than others.
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🎉 2026: Vol-Powered. Microbe-Driven. Impact-Focused! 🎉
✨ Feed efficiency
✨ Microbiome–host interactions
✨ Training future leaders in animal science
Grateful for the people & partnerships that power our land-grant mission.
#GoVols! 🍊
@UTAgResearch @UTIAg @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 12th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Happy holiday wishes to you and your family!
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 11th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Rumen Fluid Metabolites!
Rumen fluid metabolomes differ in steers of varying feed efficiencies, providing insight on contributing factors in feed efficiency.
doi.org/10.1007/s11306-020-1…
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 10th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Protozoa, which can influence feed efficiency!
Rumen protozoa community diversity has been suggested to be associated with feed efficiency in #beef steers!
doi.org/10.3390/ani11061561
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 9th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Microbes important for growth!
We demonstrated how the action of growth promotion supplements & different concentrations of protein impact the rumen microbiome.
doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone…
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 8th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Microbes important for fescue toxicosis!
Our group has shown that clover isoflavones reduced microbes associated with #fescue toxicosis.
doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy147
doi.org/10.3390/data10060079
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 7th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Biomarkers for feed efficiency!
Flavobacteriia and Pantothenate may potentially serve as novel biomarkers to predict or evaluate feed efficiency in #Angus steers.
nature.com/articles/s41598-0…
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 6th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Patience!
Following significant dietary changes, the rumen #microbiome can take up to 9 weeks to stabilize.
nature.com/articles/s41598-0…
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 5th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Gut microbe changes during pregnancy!
Our group uncovered key changes in the rumen microbiome during pregnancy & their correlation to previously established feed efficiency status!
doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2024.1…
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🎶On the 4th day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Heritable rumen microbes!
In our @USDA_NIFA study our group demonstrated host genetics, rumen microbiome, & holobiont effects jointly contribute to feed efficiency!
trace.tennessee.edu/utk_grad…
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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🎶On the 3rd day of #microbes, the #rumen gave to me...
Native rumen microbes important for production!
Our group showed performance improvements in Angus heifers via supplementation with native rumen bacteria during high-grain challenge
doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-8…
@UTAgResearch
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Having a little fun after a great, productive @UTAgResearch annual retreat at the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center! @UTIAg
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Some questions in science are evergreen. Thrilled to finally share this paper from my dissertation - and we made the cover!
mdpi.com/2306-5729/10/10
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Reflecting on an inspiring and productive LEAD21 session in Denver this past week. It was a privilege to connect and share ideas with so many dedicated and passionate leaders from across the land-grant system.
#LEAD21 #LandGrantProud #UTIA #Vols
lead-21.org
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Excited to learn alongside leaders from across the land-grant system at LEAD21 and bring new ideas back to the University of Tennessee. Grateful for the opportunity to grow, connect, and serve.
#LEAD21 #LandGrantProud #UTIA #Vols
lead-21.org
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Excited for this work from our group and @maddforscience based on our @USDA_NIFA funded research at #ASMicrobe!
Inclusion of Host Genetics, the Rumen Microbiome, and Holobiont Effects Improve Phenotypic Prediction for Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
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Great work from our group and @maddforscience based on our @USDA_NIFA funded research at #ASMicrobe!
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Always great to come to work on your birthday and get this greeting! We have great grad students in our @UTAnimalScience department.
#dinos
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Excited to collaborate and share our @UTAgResearch at the @TSUCollegeofAG and @UTIAg research summit.
#Beef #Microbiome
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Congratulations Dr. Henniger! The newest PhD from @UTAnimalScience. So much accomplished over the years. Well deserved!
@maddforscience @MaddieHenniger
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Congratulations to the winners of the 9th annual @utbeefandforage Graduate Student Poster Competition!
@UTAgResearch @utextension @UT_Herbert @UTIAg
ALT UT Beef and Forage Center Graduate Student Poster competition results announcement with an Angus calf on the card. 1st - K. Peterson, 2nd - B. Kallingal, and 3rd J. Kennedy.
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Loved visiting Moraine Lake in @BanffNP while at ASAS meeting in Calgary! Great meeting, people, and location.
@CritterChatter
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Make sure to check out our @USDA_NIFA funded work from @UTIAg PhD student @maddforscience.
Genomic Determinants of the #Rumen #Microbiome and Metabolome in Angus Steers.
@CritterChatter @UTAgResearch #BEEF
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Great work by Sophia Ascolese on beef cattle feed efficiency and muscle physiology at #ASAS annual!
@TNBeefCouncil @CritterChatter #beef #ProudSupervisor
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Great start to the 2024 ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS Annual Meeting!
Make sure to check out great @USDA_NIFA research from @maddforscience and others from our group!
@UTAgResearch @CritterChatter
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Congratulations Sophie Ascolese on successfully defending your MS thesis! So proud!
@TNBeefCouncil @UTAnimalScience #beef
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Interesting work from our group and @maddforscience at #ASMicrobe on buccal sampling as a non-invasive proxy for the rumen microbiome by @maddforscience. See it at HMB- Sunday-978!
@ASMicrobiology @UTIAg
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Make sure to check out our work on rumen bacterial community establishment in Angus calves at #ASMicrobe - poster HMB-Sunday-993.
@ASMicrobiology @UTIAg
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Why is he staring at you? Because he’s waiting for you to go look at our group’s work on rumen bacterial community establishment in Angus calves at #ASMicrobe - poster HMB-Sunday-993.
@ASMicrobiology @UTIAg
ALT Australian Shepherd Puppy
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Great poster from our group at #ASMicrobe on buccal sampling as a non-invasive proxy for the rumen microbiome by @maddforscience. See it at HMB- Sunday-978! Running low, but more @RumenMicroLab stickers available!
@ASMicrobiology @UTIAg
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Another great day at #ASMicrobe in #ATL!
Two posters in HMB tomorrow - 978 & 993. Make sure to check it out! @ASMicrobiology
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Check out our TN Beef Promotion Board work from Gabbi Martin today at #ASMicrobe
Impacts of Pregnancy on the Rumen Environment of Angus Heifers Differing in Feed Efficiency
@TNBeefCouncil @TennesseeCattle @UTIAg @ASMicrobiology
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Going to #ASMicrobe? Check out our @USDA_NIFA funded work from @UTIAg PhD student @maddforscience this Friday!
HMB-FRIDAY-1030 - Genomic Determinants of the #Rumen #Microbiome and Metabolome in Angus Steers
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The @UTAnimalScience is seeking a faculty member to work in Precision Beef Systems & Sustainability (85% R) and teach a Precision Livestock Farming and Sustainability class (15% T). Open rank, with an endowment for Associate and Full professors!
apply.interfolio.com/147349
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Going to #ASMicrobe in #ATL? Come find us and snag some cool stickers!
@ASMicrobiology @UTAnimalScience #Microbiology #Microbiome
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Curious about the rumen #microbiome? Check out some @UTAgResearch from our group! #Agriculture
animalscience.tennessee.edu/…
ALT Angus calf with the UTIA logo depicted to the left.
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Our lab and @KatMas33 excited to host 1 of 6 @USDAForeignAg Scientific Exchange Program Fellows during their stay at @UTIAg. Research will focus on ⬆️ access to high quality animal feed & innovative techniques for improving fertilizer efficiency for African smallholder farmers.
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