Category: Bovine Science with BCI

Pasture Pulse: Calf Scours

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In this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Matt Miesner is back to discuss calf scours. Dr Miesner brings some tips on rehydrating calves, the options available, and how long you should give the calf electrolytes. They also discuss resources that are available to assist in making decisions.

Resources discussed:
Hartnack, A. K., Niehaus, A. J., Rousseau, M., Pentecost, R. L., Miesner, M. D., & Anderson, D. E. (2015). Indications for and factors relating to outcome after rumenotomy or rumenostomy in cattle: 95 cases (1999–2011). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 247(6), 659-664. Retrieved Jun 9, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.247.6.659

Braun U. Ultrasonography of the gastrointestinal tract in cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2009 Nov;25(3):567-90,  https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-26375

Cockwill, K. R., McAllister, T. A., & Olson, M. E. (2005). Comparison of four rumenotomy techniques in cattle. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 46(12), 1111–1115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1687032/

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After the Abstract: Detecting BRD

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This week on After the Abstract, Dr. Brian Lubbers and Dr. Brad White break down a cutting-edge study that explores how technology can help detect bovine respiratory disease (BRD) earlier in pre-weaned dairy calves. The study tested automated monitoring systems that track calves’ feeding patterns, movement, and social interactions. The goal? To see if behavioral changes could serve as early warning signs for BRD—before clinical signs appear.
Article discussed: Early detection of bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned dairy calves using sensor-based feeding, movement, and social behaviour

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Diving into Diets: Sorghum Silage

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In this episode of Bovine Science, we delve into the intricacies of sorghum silage processing and its impact on beef heifer nutrition. Our discussion centers around the recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science titled “Evaluation of kernel processing and processor type in whole-plant sorghum silage: effects on nutrient digestibility and animal performance in backgrounding beef heifers” (https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae369).

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Pasture Pulse: Hardware Disease

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Introducing the newest edition of Bovine Science, Pasture Pulse. For this edition Dr. Brad White is joined by Dr. Matt Miesner to discuss cattle health cases. On this episode a cow appears sick shortly after having the calf, but the cause is not easy to identify. Thanks for listening.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hardware Disease

Indications for and factors relating to outcome after rumenotomy or rumenostomy in cattle: 95 cases (1999–2011)

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Tox Talk: Poisoned Heifer

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When this producer goes to move his heifers he finds one dead and others ill. With no obvious clues, what caused the heifer to die and could this happen to the others? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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After the Abstract: Nasal Pathobiome Abundance

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On this episode of After the Abstract Dr. Brian Lubbers brings in a hefty research paper which aims to compare nasal microbiome community diversity and composition. Drs. Lubbers and White discuss the implications of these findings, considering how nasal microbiome profiling could enhance BRD diagnostics and inform targeted interventions. Thanks for listening!

Article Discussed: Nasal pathobiont abundance is a moderate feedlot-dependent indicator of bovine respiratory disease in beef cattle

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Diving into Diets: Feed Digestibility

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In this episode our hosts discuss the affects of pregnancy on digestion in beef cattle. They look at passage rate and extent of digestibility. Dr. Lancaster brings and article out of Brazil that studies these aspects.

Article discussed: Pregnancy affects maternal performance, feed intake, and digestion kinetics parameters in beef heifers

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Herd Health: Purebred Cows are Open

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On this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Bob Larson brings a case study where a producer had only their purebred cattle open and not crossbred. Dr. Larson and Dr. Brad White will go through how they got to the bottom of this case. They will also look at what the producer can do to keep from having this problem again.

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Tox Talk: Spring Turnout Gone Wrong

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Four dead calves found in a pasture after being turned out for the spring. What caused it, and why were no cows affected? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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After the Abstract: Caprine Science

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On this unique episode of Bovine Science Dr. Brian Lubbers brings a research paper studying mastitis in dairy goats. Listen as Dr. Lubbers and Dr. Brad White dissect this paper and reflect on the findings.

Article Discussed: Efficacy of two long-acting intramammary antimicrobials for curing subclinical mastitis due to non-aureus staphylococci in dairy goats

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Diving into Diets: Direct Fed Microbial

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On this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings a research article studying the effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on digestibility. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Lancaster will discuss the results of this research as well as how it could help cows on forage.

Article Discussed: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf093

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Herd Health: Pregnancy Loss Factors

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What causes 30-40% of pregnancies to not have a live calf? Dr. Bob Larson brings a research report article which summarizes a lot of information on pregnancy in beef cattle. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Larson will discuss new information that could be applicable when dealing with pregnancy loss in a herd.

Link to Article: Highlighting factors contributing to pregnancy loss in beef cattle

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Tox Talk: Eight Found in a Field

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After moving 700 pound stocker cattle to crop residue the producer found eight of them dead. What caused it, and can they put animals out there again? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Tox Talk: 14 Dead in Snow

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This producer moves his cows out to cornstalks and the next day gets a big snow. When he goes to check on them the next day there are 14 dead. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White get to the bottom of the case in this episode. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Diving into Diets: Neonatal Diet

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Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings us an article out of China that looks at what effects diet has on calves rumination and overall health. The study looks at calves with and without forage inclusion. They discuss the research procedure and how the results could apply to beef calves in the U.S.

Article Discussed: How neonatal diet affects the long-term development of rumination behavior, rumen fermentation and feed digestion in dairy calves fed a high milk level?

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Herd Health: Open Cows

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In this episode of Herd Health a Bovine Science podcast Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White breakdown open cows. They talk about how to figure out what causes a cow to not be pregnant. They also discuss what to do once you find the problem.

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After the Abstract: Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance

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In this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Brian Lubbers brings a research paper requested by a listener. This paper published in the Journal of Animal Science is titled, “Administering the maternal bovine appeasing substance improves overall productivity and health in high-risk cattle during a 60-d feedlot receiving period.” Thanks for listening!

Link to article: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae221

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Tox Talk: 11 Lame Cows

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As this producer gets ready for the snow they discover that 11 of their cows are lame. What caused it, and how can they keep the other 30 cows from going lame? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Herd Health: Mystery of Open Heifers

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Dr. Bob Larson brings us another mysterious episode of Herd Health a Bovine Science podcast. In this episode we have 20% of a herd come up open. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Larson discuss how this happened and what you can do to prevent this occurring in your own herd. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show!

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Diving into Diets: Patch Burning

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This episode of Diving into Diets Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings a research paper which studies patch burning. They discuss how patch burning affects the nutrition value added for cattle. They also discuss what this would mean for the future of grazing cattle.

Article Discussed: Improving forage nutritive value and livestock performance with spatially-patchy prescribed fire in grazed rangeland

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After the Abstract: Liver Abscess Control

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Dr. Brian Lubbers brings a great new research paper titled “Use of a novel direct-fed microbial as an alternative for tylosin phosphate to control liver abscesses and decrease antimicrobial use in finishing beef steers”. In this episode Dr. Lubbers and Dr. Brad White dissect this paper and evaluate it’s implications. Thanks for listening!

Link to paper: https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2023-02483

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Herd Health: Ultrasound Technology

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In this episode of Herd Health Dr. Bob Larson brings an article studying Doppler ultrasounds on cattle. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Larson discuss what this technology could mean for the future of analyzing cows. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!

Article Discussed: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animalscience/articles/10.3389/fanim.2022.912854/full

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Diving into Diets: Reducing Methane

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In this episode Dr. Phillip Lancaster and Dr. Brad White are talking about methane emissions. Dr. Lancaster also brings an article out of Australia which looks at adjusting grazing systems to reduce the methane in the cow-calf sector. Thank you for listening and enjoy the show!

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Tox Talk: Death in a Dry Lot

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In order to gain some weight 16 cows are put in a dry lot on feed, one morning the producer sees they haven’t eaten and the next morning 8 of them are dead. Dr. Scott Fritz and Dr. Brad White get to the bottom of this case in this edition of Tox Talk: a Bovine Science with BCI podcast. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!

The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

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Herd Health: Bull Fertility

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This episode of Herd Health a Bovine Science podcast with BCI our hosts discuss research on bull fertility. Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White dive into a paper from Assumpção and Hamilton. This research evaluates bull sperm to analyze what amount of bulls pass the BSE but end up being infertile.

Article Discused: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107656

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