Month: April 2026

Research Update: Larrison Hicks, Line Breeding, Nutritional Listener Questions   

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On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, Larrison Hicks gave a research update on his project about beef–dairy cross calves, focusing on how early-life management, such as milk-feeding methods and probiotics, may influence gut development and the higher incidence of liver abscesses in calf ranch systems. Early findings showed no short-term benefits from probiotic supplementation, with more results pending. The hosts also discussed genetics, noting that line breeding closely related high-performing cattle increases the risk of defects and does not reliably produce superior offspring. Additional topics included managing aflatoxins in feed, the limited effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate in feedlot diets, and how excess fat can negatively impact rumen function in grazing cattle.

4:31 Research Update: Larrison Hicks 

9:21  Line Breeding  

13:43 Nutritional Listener Questions 

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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After the Abstract: Pregnancy Loss in Crossbred Beef Cows

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On this episode of After the Abstract on Bovine Science with BCI reviews a recent study on pregnancy loss in crossbred beef cows, focusing on factors that influence whether pregnancies are maintained after conception. The vets highlight that estrus expression at the time of artificial insemination, cow body weight, and season all play significant roles, with lighter cows, those not showing estrus, and those bred in the dry season experiencing higher loss rates. They also emphasize that changes in body condition after breeding, especially losing condition, are strongly associated with increased pregnancy loss. Overall, the discussion suggests that nutrition and reproductive physiology are key drivers of pregnancy retention, even more than factors present at the time of breeding.

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Calving Challenges, Vaccination Decisions, and Managing Liver Flukes in Cattle

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On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the experts cover listener questions on calving difficulty, vaccination strategies, and liver fluke management. The team discusses that while malpresentation in calves can sometimes occur in clusters, it is more strongly linked to factors such as calf size, twins, and genetics than to cattle handling, though low-stress handling remains important. They also discuss vaccination protocols for incoming calves, emphasizing that vaccines are a long-term preventive tool and should be paired with strong overall health management. Finally, they highlight that effective liver fluke control depends on understanding the parasite’s life cycle and managing environmental risk factors, not just treatment.

3:25 Calving Difficulties  

10:19  Vaccination Strategies 

19:12 South African Liver Flukes 

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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Diving into Diets: Fertilization vs. Supplementation in Grazing Cattle

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In this episode of Diving into Diets on Bovine Science, Dr.Brad White and Dr. Phillip Lancaster discuss a 17-year study comparing fertilizing pasture versus supplementing cattle on smooth bromegrass and found that supplementation led to higher daily gains and greater gain per acre than either fertilized or unfertilized systems. Fertilization increased carrying capacity but did not improve individual animal performance compared to the control. Importantly, supplementing cattle maintained soil nitrogen levels similar to those in fertilized pastures, likely due to manure recycling, with no long-term effects on forage stands. Overall, the results suggest producers can flexibly choose between fertilization and supplementation based on economics, with supplementation also reducing year-to-year variability in performance.

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Guest Cambree Schmaltz: CalfDex and Transporting Pregnant Cows

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On this podcast episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team and guest, Cambree Schmaltz, discuss the CalfDex project, which aims to simplify record-keeping for cow-calf producers and help them use data more effectively for management and economic decisions. They also answer a listener’s question about the risks of transporting pregnant cattle, emphasizing that early pregnancy is the most vulnerable period for pregnancy loss due to stress. 

5:14 CalfDex   

14:27 Transporting Pregnant Cows

 For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

CalfDex

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Tox Talk: Lead Poisoning in Young Calves

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In this episode of Tox Talk on Bovine Science, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where multiple two-month-old calves in a dry lot died with minimal clinical signs. Initial differentials included infectious disease, nutritional issues, and ryegrass staggers, but necropsy and testing were largely unrewarding. Ultimately, elevated tissue lead levels confirmed lead poisoning, even though no clear source was identified. The case highlights the importance of considering lead toxicity in young calves with neurologic signs, especially when they have access to areas outside their normal environment.

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U.S. Beef Imports and Brucellosis

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses beef imports and brucellosis in the cattle industry. The experts explain that the U.S. imports lean beef to complement domestic production, especially for ground beef, while exporting other cuts, such as liver and tongue, helping balance supply and meet consumer demand. They also review brucellosis, a bacterial disease that affects reproduction and can spread to humans, which has been largely controlled through vaccination and eradication programs. However, the disease still exists in wildlife near Yellowstone, making proper vaccination and management practices important for prevention.

4:42 U.S Beef Imports  

11:45 Brucellosis  

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

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