Month: May 2026

After the Abstract: Bovine Leukemia Virus and Beef Cow Performance

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This episode of After the Abstract on Bovine Science with BCI reviews a 2026 study examining bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in cow-calf herds and its potential effects on reproduction, culling risk, and calf weaning weights. The hosts discuss findings showing that although BLV prevalence was very high in the studied herds, standard ELISA-positive status was not significantly associated with poorer pregnancy rates, increased culling, or lower weaning weights. They also explore proviral load measurements, noting that cows with the highest viral loads had slightly lower pregnancy rates, though the practical impact appeared small. Overall, the discussion emphasizes that BLV testing in otherwise healthy beef herds may have limited value for predicting production outcomes or guiding management decisions.

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Liver Abscess Research and Cattle Market Risk Management

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the hosts discuss recent research on liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, including how diet, grain processing, and days on feed may influence their prevalence and economic impact. They explore new findings suggesting liver abscesses may not be caused solely by rumen acidosis, highlighting the need for more research into other contributing factors and prevention strategies. The conversation then shifts to current cattle market conditions, where the team examines risk management options for cow-calf producers facing high calf prices, drought concerns, and decisions about retaining heifers. They also cover tools like futures contracts and livestock insurance programs that producers can use to manage price volatility heading into the fall.

3:10 Liver Abscess Research 

14:37 Cattle Market Risk Management 

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: How does bovine leukosis affect cow-calf herds

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Black and white cows in green grass with trees behind them.

In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discuss a 2026 study on the high prevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cow-calf operations, implications for cow reproduction, culling, and calf weight. The conversation concludes there is not a great association between culling risk and pregnancy status associated with the ELISA test.

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Theileria Diagnosis, Cow Size Economics, and Heifer Rebreeding Strategies

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On this episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses how Theileria, a tick-borne parasite that destroys red blood cells, requires laboratory testing for confirmation and cannot be diagnosed reliably from visual signs alone. They emphasized that positive test results must be interpreted alongside clinical signs and herd history, since infection does not always mean it was the direct cause of illness or death. The group also explored how larger cows may produce heavier calves but require greater nutritional inputs, making optimal cow size dependent on forage resources and overall production costs. In addition, they highlighted that successful rebreeding of first-calf heifers depends on early calving, proper nutrition, and consistent mineral intake to support recovery and fertility.

3:27  Theileria 

9:01 Cow Size 

17:53 Heifer Rebreeding 

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: Does More Protein Improve Feedlot Performance

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In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster discuss a 2026 study examining whether lower-protein finishing diets can improve performance in long-fed feedlot steers. The researchers compared industry-standard 13.5% crude protein diets to reduced 11.5% crude protein diets over roughly 206 days on feed and found that cattle on the lower-protein diet achieved slightly heavier carcass weights and improved dressing percentages without sacrificing overall growth. The conversation explores how excess dietary protein may increase the animal’s energy costs for nitrogen excretion, potentially reducing efficiency. They also discuss implications for feed costs, nitrogen emissions, and modern feeding strategies that rely heavily on corn byproducts.

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Million Downloads Episode

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the hosts celebrate reaching one million podcast downloads and reflect on memorable guests, listener interactions, and how the show has evolved since it began in 2018–2019. The discussion highlights popular listener question topics over the years, including nutrition, reproduction, management, genetics, markets, and grazing management. The hosts also share insights from their favorite episodes and discuss how the podcast helps deliver timely cattle industry information to producers around the world. The episode concludes with advice for a high school student interested in ranching, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning, networking, internships, extracurricular involvement, and gaining diverse experiences across the beef industry.

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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Tox Talk: Japanese Yew Toxicity

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In this episode of Tox Talk on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where a group of cow-calf pairs was turned out onto pasture, and several adult cows died suddenly while calves remained unaffected, pointing away from infectious disease. With no lesions found on necropsy, the veterinarians focused on toxic causes, especially those affecting cardiac function, oxygen delivery, or neurotransmitters. Clues from rumen contents and a pasture walk led to the discovery of Japanese yew trimmings in a dump pile, a highly toxic plant that causes rapid cardiac death. The case highlights the importance of environmental investigation and recognizing toxic plant risks in grazing systems.

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Coccidiosis induced Diarrhea, Growth Implants in Beef, Timing When Processing Calves

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On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat the experts cover diarrhea caused by coccidiosis, emphasizing that it’s a common organism managed through reducing stress, maintaining clean and dry conditions, and using appropriate feed additives rather than trying to eliminate it entirely. The team also discuss growth implants, emphasizing their use to improve production efficiency and that hormone levels in beef are biologically minimal, though consumer preferences may justify selling non-implanted beef at a premium. The last topic was a listener question that asked about protocol when gathering cattle before processing. The veterinarians discussed that timing should minimizing stress while ensuring access to feed and water. 

4:27 Diarrhea Caused by Coccidiosis  

8:34 Growth Implants in Beef  

15:44 Timing When Processing Calves 

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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