<p>Explore the fascinating, frustrating world of microbial biofilms in this special episode of <em>Dairy Digressions</em>! Matt is joined by returning guest and special cohost <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-martin-08027a52/">Nicole Martin, PhD</a>, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. In this episode, they host two  contributors to the recent <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> <a href="https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/issue/S0022-0302(25)X0008-4#SpecialIssueBiofilmFormationinDairyAFoodSafetyConcern1088">special issue</a> devoted to biofilm formation in dairy: <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/m%C3%A9rilie-gagnon-a0a73736">Mérilie Gagnon, PhD</a>, coeditor of the Biofilm Formation in Dairy: A Food Safety Concern special issue and microbiology researcher at the Centre ACER, and <a href="https://dairyatguelph.ca/tara-wilson/">Tara Wilson</a>, a food science PhD candidate from the University of Guelph. They explain that these invisible communities of bacteria and fungi cling to surfaces from farm to factory, potentially contaminating milk, causing mastitis in cows, and compromising dairy quality and safety. Given the high level of interconnection in the dairy sector, this special issue aimed to present a holistic “One Biofilm” perspective, emphasizing that understanding and controlling biofilms necessitates an <em>integrated strategy</em> that connects farms, processing plants, and the environment. Mérilie walks listeners through the process of how biofilms form and explains that while not all biofilms are bad—some are central to the development of culture and flavor in dairy and maple syrup products, for example—understanding and controlling them is critical for both human and animal health. Nicole and Tara discuss the <em>miles and miles</em> of piping and equipment in dairies and processing plants, explain the power of a good acid wash, review current cleaning protocols, and explore promising new tools like improved equipment design, ultraviolet detection, and machine learning data-prediction tools that can anticipate increasing biofilm risk. Whether you’re in production or dairy, don’t miss this introduction to the microbes that rule our world! </p><p> </p><p><strong>Episode Thirty-Two Show Notes</strong></p><p>Learn more about our guests and connect with them onLinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-martin-08027a52">Nicole Martin, PhD</a>, <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/m%C3%A9rilie-gagnon-a0a73736">Mérilie Gagnon, PhD</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-wilson-390851329/">Tara Wilson</a>. </p><p>Want even more of the latest dairy food science? Join us atthe <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/2026-Annual-Meeting">ADSA 2026 Annual Meeting</a> in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, next June, and submit your emerging dairy foods research during our <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/2026-Annual-Meeting/Abstracts">call for abstracts</a>, closing February 10, 2026! </p><p>Do you have publishing plans in 2026? Save on your articlecosts via the <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Publications/Journal-Rewards"><strong>ADSA Loyalty Rewards Program</strong></a> for the <a href="https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/"><em><strong>Journal of Dairy Science</strong></em></a> and <a href="https://www.jdscommun.org/"><em><strong>JDS Communications</strong></em></a>.</p><p><strong>Explore each of the special issue articles:</strong></p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(25)00544-2/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1"><em>Biofilm Formation in Dairy: A Food Safety Concern—</em>Introduction</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(24)01451-6/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1">Microbial community tracking from dairy farm to factory; Insights on biofilm management for enhanced food safety and quality</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(25)00133-X/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1">Biofilms in the milking machine, from laboratory scale to on-farm results</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(25)00444-8/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1">Insights into the prevalence of <em>Pseudomonadota </em>and yeasts on milking system surface biofilms</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(24)01335-3/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1">Recent progress in antibiofilm strategies in the dairy industry</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p><p><a href="https://cv.fass.org/lt/?https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(24)01061-0/fulltext==15C3AB70-63F5-4647-B02E-FFA15313825F/29507_1">Effect of biofilm production on antimicrobial susceptibility of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> bovine mastitis strains from the most prevalent Canadian <em>spa</em> types</a>, <em>Journal of Dairy Science</em> (2025) </p>