Category: Bovine Science with BCI

Solving the Toxicology Mystery: A Systematic Approach to Vague Cattle Health Problems

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This episode focuses on some of the most challenging cases veterinarians encounter: cattle with vague signs such as weight loss, poor condition, or an unexplained death where no obvious cause is apparent. Dr. Scott Fritz explains that these situations are often far more difficult than classic acute poisonings because there is rarely a clear syndrome, exposure event, or obvious diagnostic clue. Instead, investigations must begin with a thorough history, careful necropsy, and a detailed evaluation of management changes, environmental conditions, forage availability, and grazing patterns.

The discussion highlights the importance of considering toxic plants while recognizing that simply finding a toxic plant in a pasture does not prove it caused disease. Weather conditions, grazing pressure, herbicide use, mowing, drought stress, and seasonal plant growth can all influence the likelihood that cattle consume potentially toxic species. The speakers also emphasize the value of examining rumen contents, collecting representative samples, and working closely with diagnostic laboratories to choose appropriate tests rather than ordering broad, unfocused toxicology screens.

Special attention is given to ocular fluid sampling, which can serve as a useful substitute for blood testing after death and help diagnose conditions such as nitrate poisoning. The episode explains that successful toxicology investigations rarely rely on a single laboratory result. Instead, diagnosis usually comes from combining clinical signs, animal history, environmental observations, necropsy findings, pathology results, and targeted laboratory testing.

A key takeaway is that toxicology cases are often diagnoses of exclusion, requiring patience and collaboration among veterinarians, diagnosticians, toxicologists, botanists, and producers. By taking a systematic approach and preserving high-quality samples early in the investigation, producers and veterinarians improve their chances of identifying the true cause and preventing future losses.

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Do Vaccines Affect Bull Fertility? Evaluating Breeding Soundness After Modified Live and Killed Vaccines

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This episode examines a 2025 study that investigated whether modified-live or killed viral vaccines influence bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) results. The research addressed a common practical question among producers and veterinarians who are concerned that vaccination before breeding season might negatively affect fertility. Researchers randomly assigned mature bulls to receive either a modified-live or killed vaccine and then evaluated semen quality and breeding soundness multiple times over a full spermatogenesis cycle.

The study found no statistically significant differences between vaccine types for key fertility measures such as sperm morphology and motility. These findings suggest that neither vaccine type caused major detrimental effects on reproductive performance in the mature bulls that were tested. However, the discussion highlights an important limitation: the study included only 11 bulls, making it difficult to detect smaller but potentially meaningful differences between treatments.

The authors and hosts note that while some bulls consistently passed breeding soundness exams and others consistently performed poorly, these differences appeared to reflect individual animal variation rather than vaccine effects. The episode also raises questions about whether results would be similar in yearling bulls, which may respond differently than mature animals.

Overall, the study provides reassuring evidence that vaccinating mature bulls with either modified-live or killed viral vaccines does not appear to cause major fertility problems. At the same time, the discussion emphasizes that additional research with larger numbers of bulls is needed to rule out smaller effects and strengthen confidence in the conclusions.

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Rethinking Vitamin A in Beef Cattle: Why Calves May Be Deficient Despite Green Grass

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This episode explores the role of vitamin A in beef cow-calf systems and examines why some calves develop low vitamin A levels and respiratory disease even while grazing alongside cows on green pasture. The discussion highlights that vitamin A nutrition is more complex than simply having access to lush forage, because cattle primarily consume beta-carotene from grass, which must be converted into usable vitamin A by the body.

A major takeaway is the importance of colostrum as the primary source of vitamin A for newborn calves. Because very little vitamin A is transferred across the placenta, calves are born with limited reserves and depend heavily on colostrum intake during their first hours of life. Research cited in the review shows that delays in colostrum consumption can negatively affect vitamin A status for weeks after birth.

The discussion also challenges long-standing assumptions about vitamin A requirements. Current beef cattle recommendations are largely based on research conducted decades ago, despite major changes in cattle genetics and productivity over time. Recent studies suggest that supplementation levels commonly considered adequate may not be sufficient to maintain optimal vitamin A status in modern cows or their calves.

One particularly striking finding is that even when cows received vitamin A supplementation at nearly three times traditional recommended levels, about 20% of calves still failed to achieve adequate vitamin A status. The authors suggest that late gestation nutrition deserves greater attention because maternal vitamin A status strongly influences the amount transferred through colostrum. Overall, the episode emphasizes that vitamin A management remains an unresolved area in beef production and may play a larger role in calf health and disease resistance than previously recognized.

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Can Coronavirus Vaccination Reduce Pre-Weaning Respiratory Disease in Beef Calves?

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This episode reviews a 2026 Canadian study that evaluated whether vaccinating beef calves against bovine coronavirus could reduce pre-weaning respiratory disease in a commercial cow-calf herd with a history of respiratory problems. The researchers compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves under real-world ranch conditions, making the findings especially relevant for producers facing similar challenges. Results showed that vaccinated calves had lower odds of requiring treatment for respiratory disease before turnout, and overall disease rates tended to be lower in vaccinated groups.

The study also included an economic analysis that suggested vaccination provided a financial advantage of approximately $10 per calf through reduced treatment costs, lower mortality, and improved performance. Interestingly, one of the strongest factors associated with disease risk was not vaccination status but the calf’s birth cycle, with calves born during certain calving periods experiencing significantly different disease outcomes.

The discussion highlights several strengths of the research, particularly that it was conducted in a commercial herd rather than a controlled challenge trial, providing valuable insight into how vaccines perform under field conditions. However, the hosts also note limitations, including questions about experimental independence, blinding, and the use of a coronavirus vaccine in a manner different from its labeled route of administration.

A key takeaway is that while coronavirus vaccination may offer another tool for reducing pre-weaning respiratory disease, it should not be viewed as a complete solution. The larger lesson is that herd management systems, calving patterns, and other underlying risk factors may play an even greater role in disease occurrence than any individual vaccine. Ultimately, the episode encourages producers to combine disease-prevention tools with a broader systems-based approach when addressing respiratory disease in cow-calf herds.

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A Deadly Holding Pen: Poisoning Causes Sudden Loss of 14 Heifers

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This case study examines a tragic incident in which 14 open heifers died within hours of being separated from a larger group following pregnancy testing. The heifers had been placed in a familiar holding pasture with a functioning water source and secure fencing, leading managers to initially believe the environment was safe. When all 14 animals were found dead later that day, investigators quickly ruled out infectious disease and focused on acute toxic causes due to the rapid onset and 100% mortality rate.

Potential causes considered included nitrate toxicity, cyanide poisoning, urea exposure, toxic plants, and other fast-acting toxins. Necropsies revealed few significant lesions, a common finding in animals that die rapidly from certain toxic exposures. Diagnostic testing of ocular fluid showed highly elevated nitrate levels, providing strong evidence of nitrate poisoning.

Further investigation of the holding area uncovered several nitrate-accumulating plants, including pigweed, kochia, and sorghum-type grasses, all containing nitrate concentrations high enough to cause acute death. Environmental conditions and plant stress likely contributed to dangerous nitrate accumulation, while the hungry heifers rapidly consumed the available vegetation after being placed in the pen.

The discussion highlights that facilities used safely for years can become hazardous when weather patterns, forage conditions, or management circumstances change. A key takeaway is to carefully evaluate holding pens for potentially toxic weeds, especially during late summer, and avoid turning hungry cattle into unfamiliar areas with questionable forage. Providing supplemental hay before and during confinement may be one of the simplest and most effective strategies for preventing similar losses.

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The Mystery Eye Disease Outbreak: Investigating a Point-Source Event in Stocker Cattle

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This case study follows the investigation of a puzzling eye disease outbreak affecting approximately 10% of a group of 1,200 stocker cattle shortly after processing and placement on pasture. The affected animals developed severe eye lesions, including corneal cloudiness, swollen eyelids, redness, and inflammation, but lacked many of the classic ulcers typically associated with pinkeye. Because cases appeared almost simultaneously across numerous pastures separated by up to 90 miles, investigators quickly determined the outbreak did not fit the pattern of a contagious, spreading disease.

Instead, the timing and distribution suggested a point-source event linked to something the cattle experienced while gathered together during processing. Common causes such as pinkeye, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), and mycoplasma infections were initially considered, but diagnostic testing failed to identify a clear infectious agent. Necropsies, histopathology, and laboratory testing revealed unusual eye lesions but provided no definitive diagnosis.

The investigation expanded to include less common possibilities such as malignant catarrhal fever and even immune-mediated eye disease, although evidence remained inconclusive. Interestingly, the outbreak peaked about two weeks after processing and then rapidly subsided without continuing spread, further supporting the point-source theory. The discussion highlights the importance of using epidemiology, history, and case patterns to guide investigations when laboratory answers are unavailable. Ultimately, while the exact cause remained unknown, the case demonstrates how understanding disease patterns can help narrow possibilities and inform future management decisions.

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Strategic Heifer Development: Can Stair-Step Nutrition Improve Puberty Rates and Reduce Feed Costs?

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cattle at pasture

This episode examines a study evaluating different nutritional strategies for developing replacement heifers and their impact on puberty attainment. Researchers compared traditional low-gain and high-gain feeding programs with two “stair-step” nutritional approaches that alternated periods of higher and lower energy intake. The goal was to determine whether strategic feeding could achieve the same reproductive outcomes as intensive feeding while using fewer resources.

Results showed that the first stair-step program, which provided a higher plane of nutrition immediately after weaning followed by alternating periods of lower and higher gain, achieved puberty rates nearly identical to the continuously high-fed control group. In fact, 100% of the heifers in both groups reached puberty by approximately 13 months of age, while less than half of the low-control heifers achieved puberty during the study period. The stair-step strategy accomplished this while utilizing less feed and producing lower body condition scores than the continuously high-fed heifers.

The findings suggest that the period immediately after weaning may be especially important for influencing reproductive development. Researchers also observed unique responses in leptin levels, indicating that strategic nutritional changes may affect hormonal pathways involved in puberty onset. While the results are promising, the discussion notes that implementing a stair-step program requires careful management and dietary transitions to achieve the desired outcomes. Overall, the study highlights how targeted nutrition can potentially improve heifer development efficiency while maintaining strong reproductive performance.

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More Than Stocking Density: How Pen Size Influences Puberty in Replacement Heifers

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This episode examines a study investigating whether the physical size of dry lot pens affects the development of replacement heifers, even when animal density remains the same. Researchers compared heifers housed in a standard-sized dry lot, a larger dry lot with the same space per animal, and a pasture-based control group. While growth performance and weight gain were similar across treatments, important differences emerged in behavior, stress indicators, and reproductive development.

Heifers housed in the smaller dry lot reached puberty approximately 20–30 days later than those in the larger pen or pasture groups. The larger dry lot group, despite having the same stocking density, performed similarly to the pasture group in many reproductive measures. Researchers also observed higher cortisol levels and increased expression of stress-related heat shock proteins in the heifers housed in the smaller pen, suggesting greater physiological stress.

The findings indicate that total pen area—not just square footage per animal—may influence social interactions, stress levels, and the timing of puberty. The authors speculate that larger pens may allow animals more opportunity to avoid dominant pen mates and reduce social stress. Overall, the study suggests that facility design can have meaningful effects on replacement heifer development and that evaluating pen size may be just as important as considering stocking density alone.

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A Deadly Feed Mixing Mistake: Investigating Sudden Cattle Deaths in a Dry Lot

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Black steer with white face in dirt pen.

This case study examines a sudden and devastating loss in which five cows and two calves died shortly after being moved to a dry lot following the calving season. The affected group consisted of only six cow-calf pairs that had been separated because they were open or had calved late, making the rapid mortality highly suspicious for a toxic exposure rather than an infectious disease. Necropsies revealed few significant findings, while the only surviving cow showed severe neurological signs, including tremors, vocalization, and an inability to stand.

Investigators focused on feed and water as the most likely sources of exposure and collected samples from the animals, feed, and environment for evaluation. During the investigation, foreign granules were discovered in the feed bunk and were ultimately traced back to agricultural pesticide residue left inside a skid steer bucket. The bucket had previously been used to handle granular pesticide from corn planting operations and was later used to deliver feed without being adequately cleaned.

The pesticide contamination explained the rapid onset of deaths and neurological symptoms observed in the remaining cow. The discussion highlights how potent agricultural chemicals can become deadly when accidentally introduced into livestock feed, even in relatively small amounts. A key takeaway is the importance of maintaining dedicated equipment for feed handling whenever possible or thoroughly cleaning equipment used for agricultural chemicals before reusing it. The case also demonstrates the value of careful history-taking and field investigation, which often provide the answers before laboratory testing is even completed.

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Written Grazing Plans and Profitability: What Drives Adoption on Cow-Calf Operations?

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This episode examines research exploring why some cow-calf producers adopt written grazing management plans while others do not. The study was motivated in part by sustainability goals aimed at improving grazing land management, soil health, water infiltration, and drought resilience through more structured planning. Researchers analyzed survey data from producers across the United States to identify factors associated with both written grazing plans and intensive grazing practices.

Results showed that larger land holdings were associated with a greater likelihood of having a grazing management plan, while larger herd sizes were somewhat less likely to adopt one. Producers using rotational or management-intensive grazing systems were also more likely to have written plans, suggesting that planning and intensive grazing management often go hand in hand. The study found relatively few strong demographic influences, indicating that adoption is driven more by management style and operational goals than by age or experience alone.

One of the most important findings was that producers with either a mental or written grazing plan were more likely to achieve positive returns over off-farm feed costs than those with no grazing plan at all. Operations that regularly evaluated and updated their plans also showed stronger economic performance. The discussion emphasizes that written grazing plans do not need to be rigid prescriptions, but rather flexible tools that help producers track forage resources, adjust management over time, and make more informed decisions. Overall, the research suggests that thoughtful grazing planning can benefit both ranch profitability and long-term resource stewardship.

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Heifer Selection for Profit: Why Hybrid Vigor, Longevity, and Efficiency Matter

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Cattle at pasture

This discussion examines a research study focused on improving long-term profitability in cow-calf operations through better heifer selection. The study used economic modeling and field data to evaluate three key factors: feed efficiency, longevity, and heterosis (hybrid vigor). Results showed that cows with greater genetic diversity consistently generated higher returns, largely due to improved reproductive performance and overall herd productivity.

Longevity also played a critical role, as cows that remained productive in the herd longer were able to spread their development costs over more calves. However, the study revealed that heterosis had a larger impact on profitability than longevity alone when multiple factors were considered together. Feed efficiency, measured as the ability to maintain condition on less forage, also contributed positively to economic outcomes, particularly during winter feeding periods.

An important takeaway is that assumptions from feedlot cattle efficiency do not always translate directly to grazing cows due to differences in diet and digestion. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of crossbreeding strategies, warning that repeatedly using similar genetics can reduce hybrid vigor over time. Overall, the episode highlights that strategic heifer selection—focused on genetic diversity, reproductive success, and efficiency—can significantly improve herd profitability over the long term.

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Saline vs. PBS: A Practical Test of Sample Collection Methods in Cattle Diagnostics

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This episode explores a research study evaluating whether sterile saline can effectively replace phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for collecting samples used in Tritrichomonas PCR testing. The discussion highlights a non-inferiority trial design, which differs from traditional statistical approaches by testing whether one method is not meaningfully worse than another. Researchers created controlled samples with varying concentrations of organisms and compared detection results using both saline and PBS.

Results showed no significant difference in detection performance between the two media, and saline met the criteria for being “not inferior” to PBS. This finding is important because saline is more readily available and easier to use in field conditions for veterinarians.

The discussion also explains how PCR cycle threshold values work and why small differences can matter depending on diagnostic cutoffs. However, the applicability of these findings depends on the specific testing method, as saline may not perform as well in DNA-based PCR due to potential degradation. Overall, the study provides practical insight into improving diagnostic efficiency while emphasizing the importance of understanding both statistical methods and biological relevance in veterinary research.

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Systems Thinking in Beef Production: Solving Problems Beyond the Individual Animal

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This discussion explores the concept of systems thinking in beef cattle production and how it expands beyond traditional population medicine approaches. Systems thinking focuses on understanding how multiple interconnected factors—such as nutrition, environment, disease exposure, and management practices—interact over time to influence herd health and productivity. Many cattle health and performance issues develop gradually, often involving delayed cause-and-effect relationships that can span months or even generations. The approach also recognizes that cattle may pass through multiple owners or environments, meaning problems observed in one setting may have originated earlier in the system. Rather than targeting a single cause, systems thinking addresses multifactorial “syndromes” where several influences combine to create outcomes like disease or poor reproduction.

Key elements include ensuring proper nutrition, maintaining good environmental conditions, and aligning management decisions—such as breeding timing—with forage availability. The concept emphasizes that yearly outcomes are interconnected, with current management decisions affecting future herd performance. In stocker operations, additional complexity arises from combining cattle from different sources and managing land across multiple production cycles. Practically, systems thinking encourages producers to identify “pinch points” such as water access, cattle arrival stress, and housing conditions. Ultimately, it provides a framework for long-term problem solving, focusing on improving the entire production system rather than reacting only to visible health events.

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Deadly Dehydration: How a Simple Gate Closure Led to Mass Cattle Loss

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This case study from a bovine science discussion examines a sudden and alarming incident in which 12 cows and 2 calves died within 12 hours of routine pre-weaning processing. Initially, the deaths raised concerns about vaccine reactions, toxic exposure, or handling stress, but the pattern of mortality did not align with typical causes. Adult cows, which only received topical parasite treatment, were more affected than calves that received vaccines, further complicating the diagnosis. A necropsy revealed elevated sodium levels in brain tissue, pointing to water deprivation as the underlying issue. Investigation of the environment uncovered that while a water source existed, access had been unintentionally blocked when a gate was left closed during processing. High temperatures and a dry pond exacerbated the situation, leading to rapid dehydration and neurological symptoms in the cattle. Surviving animals displayed abnormal behavior such as aggression, crowding in shade, and signs of severe dehydration. Recovery efforts required carefully controlled rehydration to prevent additional complications like cerebral edema. The case emphasizes the critical importance of ensuring continuous water access, especially when altering animal environments during handling.

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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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After the Abstract: How does bovine leukosis affect cow-calf herds

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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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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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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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Tox Talk: Lantana Toxicity Case

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In this episode of Tox Talk with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz walk through a challenging case where 75 cows were turned into a new pasture and left unchecked for two weeks, resulting in 22 deaths. The surviving cattle showed jaundice and severe skin damage linked to secondary photosensitization from liver injury. Through diagnostics and pasture investigation, the cause was identified as Lantana camara toxicity, leading to cholestasis and liver failure. The discussion highlights the importance of pasture evaluation, monitoring, and recognizing toxic plant risks in grazing systems.

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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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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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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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Herd Health: Bull Soundness Exam

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In this episode of Herd Health on Bovine Science, the experts discuss a recent study on factors associated with bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) failure. The veterinarians explain that both intrinsic factors, such as age and prior failure, and extrinsic factors, such as season and environmental conditions, influence whether a bull passes or fails. They highlight that sperm morphology is one of the most important indicators of fertility, often more predictive than other measures. Overall, the episode emphasizes interpreting BSE results in context to make better management and culling decisions.

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After the Abstract: Methylene Blue Withdrawal in Cattle

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In this episode of BCI After the Abstract, the veterinarians explore a pharmacokinetic study on the use of methylene blue in cattle to determine safe withdrawal periods after treatment. The experts walk through how researchers tracked drug levels in blood, milk, and tissues to estimate when residues fall below safe thresholds. They emphasize that previous guidance lacked data, forcing veterinarians to rely on highly conservative withdrawal times. With this new evidence, practitioners can better balance effective treatment of nitrate toxicity with responsible residue avoidance in food animals.

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Diving into Diets: Organic vs. Inorganic Minerals in Beef Cattle

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In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, the experts discuss a 2025 meta-analysis comparing organic and inorganic trace mineral supplementation in beef cattle during preconditioning and feedlot receiving. They explain the biological differences between mineral sources and review results from about 20 studies included in the analysis. Overall, organic minerals showed a small improvement in average daily gain, but no effect on cattle morbidity. The discussion highlights that while organic minerals may provide slight performance benefits in certain situations, the overall effects are relatively small and context-dependent.

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