Month: October 2026

Preconditioning Pays: Preparing Calves for a Healthy and Profitable Feedlot Career

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In this episode, the hosts welcome Mark Hilton, sponsored by Virbac, a longtime veterinarian, educator, and beef cattle consultant, to discuss the principles and economics of calf preconditioning. Hilton defines preconditioning as preparing calves for a successful feedlot career, emphasizing that the process involves much more than vaccination alone. Key components include weaning calves before sale, implementing sound vaccination programs, controlling parasites, providing balanced nutrition, and training calves to eat from feed bunks and drink from waterers.

The panel discusses how weaning is one of the most significant stressors calves face and highlights practices such as fence-line weaning, low-stress cattle handling, and high-fiber starter diets to ease the transition. Nutrition, mineral supplementation, and proper vaccine management are emphasized as critical factors that help calves develop strong immune responses and reduce the risk of respiratory disease.

A recurring theme is the importance of facilities, labor, and communication. Producers are encouraged to work closely with veterinarians and nutritionists to design preconditioning programs that fit their operations and to communicate those efforts to buyers so the value of preconditioned calves is recognized in the marketplace.

The discussion also explores the economics of preconditioning. While premiums for preconditioned calves can be significant, Hilton argues that much of the financial return comes from efficient weight gain, reduced shrink, and better overall calf performance. Data from long-term studies and field experience suggest that preconditioned calves experience substantially lower sickness and death loss rates in feedlots compared with non-preconditioned calves.

Overall, the episode concludes that successful preconditioning requires a combination of health management, nutrition, facilities, and planning. When done well, it benefits calf welfare, improves feedlot performance, and can generate meaningful returns for cow-calf producers.

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Artificial Intelligence for Animal Welfare: Detecting Pain in Cattle and Planning for the Future

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This episode begins with a discussion of innovative research by Jake, a PhD student at Kansas State University, who is exploring whether artificial intelligence can detect pain in cattle by analyzing facial expressions. Using video recordings of newly castrated calves and non-castrated controls, researchers trained a machine-learning model to identify patterns associated with pain. While the system identified only about half of the painful animals, it was highly accurate when it predicted pain, suggesting promising future applications for automated health monitoring. The hosts discuss how camera systems placed near water sources or feeding areas could eventually help producers detect pain, illness, or lameness earlier than traditional observation methods.

The conversation then shifts to a listener question about mastitis in beef cows and heifers. The panel explains that although mastitis is less common in beef cattle than dairy cattle, it does occur and may be influenced by environmental factors such as dirty conditions, heavy fly pressure, or calves suckling inappropriate body areas. They emphasize looking for patterns involving age, pasture location, timing, and management practices rather than focusing solely on genetics, which likely play only a minor role.

In the final segment, the hosts discuss succession and transition planning for farms, ranches, and veterinary businesses. They stress the importance of beginning the process early, maintaining open communication among family members and stakeholders, and involving professional advisors such as attorneys and accountants. Special attention is given to challenges surrounding leadership transitions, inheritance decisions, and balancing the interests of family members who may or may not remain involved in the operation. The episode concludes by emphasizing that successful transitions require ongoing communication and evaluation long after the formal transfer of ownership or management has occurred.

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Can More Vitamin A for Cows Improve Calf Health? The Challenge of Boosting Vitamin A Through Colostrum

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This episode examines whether feeding additional vitamin A to cows before calving can improve the vitamin A status of their calves. Reviewing two dairy research studies, the hosts explore how late-gestation supplementation affects vitamin A levels in colostrum, milk, and newborn calves. In the first study, cows received vitamin A at levels slightly above recommended requirements, but researchers found no increase in colostrum vitamin A content and no meaningful improvement in calf blood vitamin A concentrations.

The second study supplemented cows with much larger amounts of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. While this significantly increased beta-carotene levels in colostrum and resulted in more calves having detectable beta-carotene after birth, it still failed to increase retinol, the active form of vitamin A, in calf blood samples. The findings suggest that transferring additional vitamin A from cow to calf through maternal supplementation is more difficult than many producers might expect.

The discussion reinforces that newborn calves receive very little vitamin A through placental transfer and rely heavily on colostrum as their primary source after birth. However, even feeding cows three to four times the recommended vitamin A levels produced only modest changes in calf vitamin A status.

The hosts also compare these dairy studies to previous beef cattle research, noting that very large supplementation rates may be required before measurable improvements occur in calves. As a result, simply increasing vitamin A intake in pregnant cows may not be an efficient solution for improving calf vitamin A status. The episode concludes by raising important questions about whether calves born to cows consuming stored hay during late gestation may benefit from alternative strategies, such as direct vitamin A supplementation, and emphasizes the need for additional research to better understand vitamin A requirements in modern beef production systems.

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Learning Agriculture at the State Fair: From Calving Cows to Inspiring Future Veterinarians

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Recorded live at the Kansas State Fair birthing center, this episode highlights the educational value of exposing the public to livestock production and animal health. The hosts discuss how the birthing center allows visitors to observe the calving process firsthand while learning about normal births, signs of labor, and situations that may require veterinary intervention. Through stories from veterinarians, listeners hear memorable examples of unusual calving cases, including prolapses, difficult births, and even a rare two-headed calf.

The episode also features conversations with fair attendees, livestock producers, FFA educators, veterinary students, and practicing veterinarians. One cattle producer describes how careful genetic selection and retaining ownership of cattle allow him to improve carcass quality and capture more value from his herd. An FFA advisor explains how state fair projects motivate students, build agricultural skills, and expose young people to opportunities in animal agriculture.

Veterinary students and recent graduates discuss career paths, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience, mentorship, and exploring different areas of veterinary medicine. The conversation highlights the diversity of mixed-animal veterinary practice, where a single day may involve cattle, companion animals, horses, or exotic species.

A recurring theme throughout the episode is workforce development and the importance of introducing young people to agriculture and veterinary medicine early in life. The hosts emphasize that creating enthusiasm through hands-on experiences, demonstrations, and educational outreach may be one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals. The episode concludes with the successful birth of a calf at the birthing center, providing a live example of the natural processes and educational opportunities that make the exhibit such a valuable feature of the state fair.

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Can Bull Behavior Predict Breeding Success? Using Technology to Identify Top Sires

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This episode examines a 2026 study that explored whether pre-breeding behavior can predict which bulls will sire the most calves in multi-sire breeding pastures. Researchers fitted bulls with collars containing accelerometers and proximity sensors to objectively measure activity levels and social interactions before the breeding season. The goal was to determine whether behavioral traits such as activity, social connectedness, and interaction patterns were associated with a bull’s eventual siring capacity.

The study found that more active bulls tended to sire more calves, and bulls that were more socially connected within the group also appeared to have greater breeding success. Researchers used complex network-analysis measurements, including eigenvector centrality and relative strength, as indicators of social influence and interaction among bulls. Bulls with more diverse interactions across the bull group generally had higher siring capacity than bulls that spent most of their time with only a few herd mates.

The hosts found the concept particularly intriguing because previous efforts to predict breeding success often relied on subjective observations, while this study used objective monitoring technology. However, they also highlighted several limitations, including a relatively small sample size, missing sensor data, differences in bull grouping between years, and challenges associated with bulls entering or leaving breeding groups due to injury.

Another important finding was that some behavioral traits, especially activity level and social connectedness, showed moderate repeatability from year to year, suggesting they may reflect inherent characteristics of individual bulls rather than temporary conditions. The hosts emphasized that while the results are promising, the study should be viewed as an early step rather than definitive evidence. They concluded that larger studies across more herds and breeding environments will be necessary to determine whether wearable technology can reliably help producers identify the most effective breeding bulls before turnout.

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Managing Bred Heifers and Stretching Forage: Preparing for a Successful Calving Season

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Sponsored by Elanco, with guest Dr. Frank White, this episode focuses on two critical topics for cow-calf producers: managing bred heifers and maximizing forage utilization during challenging grazing conditions. The discussion emphasizes that first-calf heifers are among the most nutritionally demanding animals in the herd because they are still growing, carrying a calf, and preparing for lactation and rebreeding. As a result, maintaining a body condition score of approximately six at calving is highlighted as a key management goal to improve reproductive success and shorten the postpartum interval.

The hosts discuss the benefits of managing bred heifers separately from mature cows whenever possible, allowing producers to meet their higher nutritional requirements and reduce competition from older, dominant animals. When separate management is not feasible, they recommend increasing access to feed and supplements to ensure younger females are not pushed away from resources.

A major portion of the conversation addresses forage efficiency during drought and periods of declining forage quality. The speakers explain that cattle producers are really feeding the rumen microbes, which require adequate protein to digest low-quality forage effectively. When forage protein drops below critical levels, intake and digestibility decline, reducing the amount of nutrition cattle can obtain from available forage. Strategic protein supplementation can significantly improve forage utilization by supporting microbial activity in the rumen.

The group also notes that protein supplementation does not always need to occur daily, as cattle can recycle nitrogen and often maintain performance with less frequent feeding schedules. However, they caution that animals requiring significant weight gain or body condition improvement may need more intensive nutritional management. Overall, the episode stresses the importance of planning ahead, monitoring body condition early, and using nutrition strategically to position cattle for long-term success.

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Vitamin A Before Calving: Why Hay Quality Matters More Than Supplements Alone

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This episode explores how vitamin A nutrition in late-gestation cows affects both maternal health and the vitamin A status of newborn calves. The discussion builds on previous conversations about calf vitamin A deficiencies, emphasizing that colostrum is the primary source of vitamin A for newborn calves and that deficiencies early in life can persist for weeks or months.

The hosts review two research studies examining how vitamin A and its precursors are affected by rumen fermentation. The first study found that beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A found in green forages such as alfalfa, remains relatively stable during rumen fermentation, suggesting that high-quality green hay can be an excellent source of vitamin A for pregnant cows. They note that protecting hay from sunlight is important because ultraviolet light accelerates degradation of carotenoids, reducing the vitamin A value of stored forage.

The second study evaluated supplemental vitamin A and found that degradation of common vitamin A supplements increased substantially in higher-concentrate diets. In some cases, only about 30% of the supplemented vitamin A remained after 24 hours of fermentation in rumen fluid from cattle fed more concentrate-heavy diets. Interestingly, the form of the supplement had little effect on degradation, while diet composition had a much larger influence.

The practical takeaway is that producers should focus first on preserving and feeding high-quality green forage during late gestation, while also considering whether additional vitamin A supplementation may be necessary when hay quality is poor or concentrate feeding levels increase. The episode reinforces that thoughtful forage management and nutrition planning before calving can improve vitamin A delivery to cows, support colostrum quality, and help set calves up for better health after birth.

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Lessons from the Birthing Center: Calving, Education, and Inspiring Future Agricultural Leaders

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Recorded live at the Kansas State Fair Birthing Center, this episode highlights the educational value of giving the public a firsthand look at animal agriculture and the birthing process. The hosts discuss how the birthing center has served as a popular attraction for decades, allowing visitors to observe calves, piglets, and lambs being born while learning more about animal health and livestock production.

The conversation explores the signs of impending calving, including behavioral changes, relaxation of structures around the tailhead, and the progression of labor. The veterinarians explain how they determine when a cow may need assistance and discuss common causes of calving difficulty, such as abnormal calf positioning. Throughout the episode, listeners receive practical insights into gestation lengths, fetal development, and the biological similarities between livestock and human births.

A major focus of the discussion is agricultural education and youth involvement. FFA advisor Mrs. Chase from Wellington shares how projects at the state fair help students develop agricultural skills, showcase their work, and gain exposure to industries they might not otherwise experience. The hosts also discuss strategies for encouraging students to consider careers in veterinary medicine and agriculture, emphasizing mentorship, hands-on experience, and a willingness to start with basic tasks and learn over time.

The episode concludes with a successful live birth at the birthing center, giving listeners a real-time example of normal calving behavior. As the newborn calf arrives and the cow immediately begins grooming it, the hosts explain how those maternal behaviors help stimulate the calf, encourage standing and nursing, and strengthen the bond between cow and calf. Overall, the discussion celebrates the value of agricultural outreach, hands-on learning, and helping the public better understand where livestock and food production begin.

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