The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

Dr. Xiaolun Sun (Jack): Bile Acids Against Necrotic Enteritis | Ep. 03

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:00:24 +0000

In this episode of The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Xiaolun Sun (Jack) from the University of Arkansas explains how bile acids and the intestinal microbiota interact in poultry health. He discusses pathogen control, bird performance, mortality reduction, and research exploring practical alternatives to costly bile acid supplementation. Learn how emerging gut health strategies could support poultry production. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research articles:

Specific Secondary Bile Acids Control Chicken Necrotic Enteritis

Two intestinal microbiota-derived metabolites, deoxycholic acid and butyrate, synergize to enhance host defense peptide synthesis and alleviate necrotic enteritis

"Bile acids support fat digestion while also acting as biological signals that can influence pathogenic bacteria and intestinal health within poultry production systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Xiaolun Sun (Jack) is a faculty member at the University of Arkansas whose research focuses on poultry nutrition, intestinal microbiome interactions, bacterial pathogens, and molecular signaling. His laboratory investigates C. jejuni transmission and pathogenesis, as well as intestinal diseases such as necrotic enteritis. Dr. Sun earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition from Virginia Tech. Learn more from Dr. Xiaolun Sun (Jack) on The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Highlight
(01:05) Introduction
(01:35) Bile acids and the microbiota
(03:01) Bile acids in bird health
(04:23) Necrotic enteritis study findings
(07:12) Cost barriers and future research
(08:39) Practical pathways for producers
(09:15) Closing thoughts

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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Dr. Catherine Logue: Emerging Poultry Pathogens | Ep. 02

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:00:14 +0000

In this episode of The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Catherine Logue, Professor of Population Health at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses two important poultry pathogens: Campylobacter hepaticus and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. She covers potential environmental factors associated with Spotty Liver Disease, findings from alternative control strategies, and ongoing research into vaccines, genomic surveillance, and broader targets for improving poultry disease management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The magic solution here is to find a universal vaccine, one that would actually target all of the E. coli."

Meet the guest: Dr. Catherine Logue is a Professor of Population Health at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Previously, Dr. Logue held faculty positions in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine at Iowa State University and at North Dakota State University. Academic training includes a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Ulster University, a B.Sc. in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and a graduate diploma in Food Science and Technology from the Institute of Food Science and Technology in the United Kingdom. Hear Dr. Catherine Logue on The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Highlight
(00:48) Introduction
(01:18) Campylobacter hepaticus emergence
(02:48) Control strategies
(03:59) Genomic surveillance
(05:17) Emerging APEC strains
(08:45) Feed interventions
(09:51) Closing thoughts

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

YouTube: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

Facebook: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

TikTok: The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast

Dr. David Swayne: HPAI Prevention and Control Strategies | Ep. 01

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:00:15 +0000

Welcome to the very first episode of The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, your go-to source for practical, science-based conversations about poultry health. I'm Dr. Tim Johnson, your host, and the goal is to bring clear, straight-to-the-point discussions with leading researchers, veterinarians, and industry professionals, translating the latest poultry health science into practical strategies for disease prevention, flock health, and poultry production.

In this episode, Dr. David Swayne of Birdflu Veterinarian LLC explains how highly pathogenic avian influenza emerges, spreads, and reaches poultry farms. He covers practical biosecurity, grower-led surveillance, outbreak response, cleaning and disinfection, and current considerations around vaccination in avian influenza control. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Rapid response after highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmation helps limit disease spread while supporting timely assessment, depopulation, sanitation, and recovery of affected farms."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Swayne is a private poultry veterinarian at Birdflu Veterinarian LLC and a board-certified poultry veterinarian and veterinary pathologist specializing in viral diseases, particularly avian influenza. He earned degrees from the University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, and University of Georgia before holding faculty positions at The Ohio State University and leadership roles with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. His expertise includes diagnostics, prevention, and disease control strategies across poultry production systems. Listen to Dr. Swayne on The Poultry Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms!

What you will learn: