Category: Bovine Science with BCI

After the Abstract: Backfat and BSEs

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On this episode of After the Abstract, Dr. Todd Gunderson brings a research article which looks at the effects of backfat thickness on results of a breeding soundness exam. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Gunderson go through the article and discuss the issues this study addressed as well as the potential affects of this research.

Article discussed: Relationship between phenotypic subcutaneous backfat thickness and spermiogram outcomes in young beef bulls

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Pasture Pulse: Lame Calves

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black cows in green grass

For this edition Dr. Brad White is joined by Dr. Matt Miesner to discuss lame calves. When a calf gets stepped on, kicked or ran over it can be a costly loss for producers. They go over the different options producers have when a calf breaks its front or back leg. Thanks for listening.

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Tox Talk: Death of Young Calves

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When a large dairy operation finds seven young calves dead, they seek help from the toxicologists. What happened and how can they prevent it from happening in the future? Brad White and Scott Fritz go over this case and answer those questions. Thanks for listening!

KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

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: Tritrichomonas

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Hereford bull in green grass.

This week on After the Abstract Todd Gunderson brings an article which analyzes the different methods for tritrichomonas testing in bulls. They break down the research and look at the findings as well as implications this could have on the beef industry.

Article Discussed: Differences in pain and trauma caused by common sampling devices used in the United States for Tritrichomonas foetus testing in bulls

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Tox Talk: Collecting Samples

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Black cow in front of green grass and blue sky.

For this unique episode of Tox Talk Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz walk through how to collect samples to send into toxicology. They will discuss the important samples to collect depending on the situation.
Toxicology Sample Collection Guide

KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

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: Bovine Veterinarian Survey

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On this episode of After the Abstract, Dr. Todd Gunderson brings a research article which looks at income and job satisfaction among bovine practitioners. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Gunderson go through the article and discuss the issues this study addressed as well as the potential affects of this research.

Article discussed: Incomes and satisfaction among bovine focused veterinary practitioners in the United States and Canada

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Tox Talk: Shells in the Stomach

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

After a big thunderstorm some calves are found dead and some found sick. What caused it and why were the cows not affected? Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz will find out in this episode of Bovine Science.

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: Preweaned BRD

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In this episode of Bovine Science, Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White discuss the risk factors associated with BRD in preweaned calves. They discuss past research over the subject and options to mitigate the risk.

Articles Discussed:
BRD in preweaned calves: What’s new in risk factors?
Strategies for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Diagnosis and Prognosis: A Comprehensive Overview

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Diving into Diets: Alternative Backgrounding

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On this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings an article which looked into backgrounding steers in the Nebraska sand hills. The experts go over this paper and discuss what implications this research could have for the future.

Article Discussed: Comparison of alternative backgrounding and feedlot system strategies on performance of May-born, Red Angus cross yearling steers in the Nebraska Sandhills

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Tox Talk: Ponderosa Pine

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Three red and white cows in open green grass with row of trees behind them.

After a large snow storm 34 cows have aborted their calves. What caused this and how can it be prevented in the future? 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!

Ponderosa Pine: https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/ponderosa-pine-pinus-ponderosa/
KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/

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: Another Case of Open Heifers

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Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson are back to discuss a case where a producer had 20% of heifers open. They explore potential causes behind this reproductive issue, from bull problems to nutritional and health-related factors. They also share practical strategies and management tips producers can implement to improve reproductive success and set the herd up for a better breeding season.

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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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young cow

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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