Tag: Bob Larson

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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Research Update: Larrison Hicks, Line Breeding, Nutritional Listener Questions   

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On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, Larrison Hicks gave a research update on his project about beef–dairy cross calves, focusing on how early-life management, such as milk-feeding methods and probiotics, may influence gut development and the higher incidence of liver abscesses in calf ranch systems. Early findings showed no short-term benefits from probiotic supplementation, with more results pending. The hosts also discussed genetics, noting that line breeding closely related high-performing cattle increases the risk of defects and does not reliably produce superior offspring. Additional topics included managing aflatoxins in feed, the limited effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate in feedlot diets, and how excess fat can negatively impact rumen function in grazing cattle.

4:31 Research Update: Larrison Hicks 

9:21  Line Breeding  

13:43 Nutritional Listener Questions 

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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Calving Challenges, Vaccination Decisions, and Managing Liver Flukes in Cattle

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On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the experts cover listener questions on calving difficulty, vaccination strategies, and liver fluke management. The team discusses that while malpresentation in calves can sometimes occur in clusters, it is more strongly linked to factors such as calf size, twins, and genetics than to cattle handling, though low-stress handling remains important. They also discuss vaccination protocols for incoming calves, emphasizing that vaccines are a long-term preventive tool and should be paired with strong overall health management. Finally, they highlight that effective liver fluke control depends on understanding the parasite’s life cycle and managing environmental risk factors, not just treatment.

3:25 Calving Difficulties  

10:19  Vaccination Strategies 

19:12 South African Liver Flukes 

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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Guest Cambree Schmaltz: CalfDex and Transporting Pregnant Cows

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On this podcast episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team and guest, Cambree Schmaltz, discuss the CalfDex project, which aims to simplify record-keeping for cow-calf producers and help them use data more effectively for management and economic decisions. They also answer a listener’s question about the risks of transporting pregnant cattle, emphasizing that early pregnancy is the most vulnerable period for pregnancy loss due to stress. 

5:14 CalfDex   

14:27 Transporting Pregnant Cows

 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!

CalfDex

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U.S. Beef Imports and Brucellosis

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses beef imports and brucellosis in the cattle industry. The experts explain that the U.S. imports lean beef to complement domestic production, especially for ground beef, while exporting other cuts, such as liver and tongue, helping balance supply and meet consumer demand. They also review brucellosis, a bacterial disease that affects reproduction and can spread to humans, which has been largely controlled through vaccination and eradication programs. However, the disease still exists in wildlife near Yellowstone, making proper vaccination and management practices important for prevention.

4:42 U.S Beef Imports  

11:45 Brucellosis  

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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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.

Article Discussed

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Cattlemen’s Day Questions

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team mixes listener questions with expert insights on cattle production and education. The team discusses strategies for growing a small herd, emphasizing clear goals, strong local relationships, and patience in a long-term market, while noting that tight supply and strong demand may keep cattle prices elevated in the near future. They also explore animal health decisions, highlighting that vaccinating or implanting newborn calves is highly context-dependent and often reflects broader challenges in management systems. The episode wraps with advice for students, encouraging a balance of broad agricultural knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical business understanding.

3:36 Small Family Wanting to Expand 

5:52  Expected Beef Price

10:40 Vaccinating Newborn Calves 

16:59 Classes Recommended by the Experts 

21:09 What the Vets are Looking for in Vet School Essays 

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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GLP-1 Use and Beef Dietary Guidelines

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, Abby Heidari, the director of nutrition for the Kansas Beef Council, discusses the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications and their effects on appetite, weight loss, and muscle maintenance. She explains that while these drugs help reduce food intake, maintaining adequate protein and physical activity is essential to prevent muscle loss and support long-term metabolic health. The conversation highlights beef as a nutrient-dense, high-quality protein source that can support muscle preservation and overall nutrition during weight loss. The group also touches on updated dietary guidelines, emphasizing that beef can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in appropriate portions and in conjunction with balanced eating habits.

6:17 GLP-1 Use 

18:52 Beef Dietary Guidelines 

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!

Close-up portrait of a woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing a colorful patterned dress and a beaded necklace, set against a wooden background.

Abby Heidari Contact Info

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Research Update: Maddie Mancke and Scours Management 

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In this week’s episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses research on reducing heat stress in feedlot cattle and best practices for managing calf scours. Guest Maddie Mancke, a PhD candidate, explains her study comparing morning feeding with nighttime feeding to see whether shifting digestion-related heat production to cooler hours would benefit cattle. The results showed no performance differences, indicating night feeding could be a practical option without harming cattle. The experts also answer a listener’s question about calf scours, emphasizing that treatment should begin quickly when calves show signs of dehydration or depression. They stress that prevention through clean calving environments and separating newborn calves from older calves is the most effective way to reduce scours outbreaks.

4:03 Research Update: Maddie Mancke 

16:52 Scours 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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Sponsored by ESTROTECT: Estrus Expression, Synchronization, and Reproductive Success

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses estrus expression and synchronization strategies used in cattle breeding programs with guest Adrienne Lulay from Select Sires Cooperative. They explore how the intensity of estrus can reflect hormone levels and fertility, helping producers make more informed breeding decisions. The conversation also highlights key factors for reproductive success, including nutrition, body condition, age, and proper herd planning. The episode is sponsored by ESTROTECT, whose estrus detection tools help producers better identify heat activity and improve breeding management.

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Herd Health: Modified Live Vaccines at Synchronization

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In this episode of Herd Health, the experts review a 2025 study evaluating whether modified live virus (MLV) vaccines can be given at the time of CIDR placement for timed AI in beef cows. In previously vaccinated, multiparous cows about 80 days postpartum, administering an MLV vaccine at synchronization did not negatively affect estrus response, AI pregnancy rates, overall pregnancy rates, pregnancy loss, calving timing, or calf weaning weights. Total pregnancy rates were around 95%, with no significant differences between vaccinated and control groups. The findings suggest that giving an MLV vaccine at synchronization is safe in well-vaccinated adult cows, though results may not apply to naïve heifers.

Article Discussed

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Veterinary School Application Process and Simple Record Keeping Metrics 

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In this episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses what it takes to get into veterinary school, including prerequisites, gaining diverse experience, standing out in the application process, and preparing for interviews. They also explore ways to encourage interest in rural and livestock veterinary practice. The team answers a listener’s question for a 125-cow producer, highlighting simple metrics like pregnancy rate, pounds of calves sold, and winter feed use to measure progress over time.

4:38 Veterinary School Application Process  

16:36 Simple Record Keeping Metrics 

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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Bull Buying Decisions and Beef Tech Innovations

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In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses what producers should consider when purchasing a bull, emphasizing fertility, structural soundness, EPD accuracy, and aligning genetics with herd goals. They highlight the importance of avoiding information overload by focusing on economically relevant traits and practical fit. The group also explores emerging technologies in the beef industry, including drones, virtual fencing, remote water monitoring, and calving cameras. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on balancing proven fundamentals with new innovations that can improve efficiency and decision-making.

4:40 Buying Bulls  

16:52 New Technology  

KSU Legacy Bull Sale Information

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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Guest Dr. Christine Navarre, Liver Flukes, Emergency Preparedness

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This episode of BCI Cattle Chat covers liver flukes and emergency preparedness in cattle operations with guest Dr. Christine Navarre. The experts discuss how liver flukes damage the liver, can contribute to sudden death, and may show up in feedlot cattle long after exposure in endemic regions. They emphasize accurate diagnosis, targeted deworming, and vaccination. The team also highlights the importance of planning ahead for disasters by ensuring access to water, feed, power, communication, and secure records to improve outcomes and protect both cattle and producers.

2:55 Liver Flukes 

12:03 Emergency Preparedness 

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!

Guest Information

A woman stands confidently in front of a cattle pen, wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans, smiling at the camera with cows in the background.

Adjunct Professor

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Extension Veterinarian, LSU AgCenter

Professor, LSU School of Animal Sciences

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Herd Health: Synchronization Strategies for Heifers and Cows

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This episode of Herd Health explores how cattle producers and veterinarians can choose the most effective estrus synchronization and fixed-time AI protocols for heifers and cows. Dr. Bob Larson explains that there is no single “best” protocol. Instead, the right choice depends on factors such as whether you are dealing with heifers or cows, time available, group size, handling logistics, and cost. The discussion highlights the roles of progesterone, GnRH, and prostaglandin, compares common protocols, and emphasizes using trusted resources such as the Beef Reproduction Task Force and working closely with veterinarians to ensure proper execution and consistent results.

Beef Reproduction Task Force

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Research Update: Liliana Rivas and Cow Efficiency

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On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, graduate student Liliana Rivas updates us on her research about leaky guts in yearling calves. She conducted this by feeding the calves a restricted diet and measuring indigestible sugars in the bloodstream over 36 hours. The experts also discussed cow efficiency, measured as pounds of calf weaned per pound of feed consumed per cow exposed. A key finding was that the nutrition models in the study underestimated the extent to which energy restriction harms reproduction.

3:10 Research Update 

12:27 Cow Efficiency 

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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Managing Body Conditioning in Cows, Cause and Management of Weak Calves

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The experts discussed whether it is more costly to have thin or fat cows going into the calving season. Thin cows are generally more costly because they are at high risk of having calving issues. Determining when to be aggressive with supplementation is important when addressing thin cows. The team also answered a listener’s question regarding weak calves. They discussed the factors that could be causing the calves to be weak. The key takeaway is that weak calves are associated with long or difficult births, weather stress, and poor nutrition. Better monitoring of heifers and calving progress can prevent many issues.

2:35 Thin vs Fat Cows

19:53 Weak 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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When to Start Treatment, Treatment Protocols, Antimicrobial Resistance

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On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, the experts debate whether you should start treatment as soon as signs of the disease appear or if you should wait for the signs to develop to have a clear diagnosis. The ability to modify the therapeutic plan can be valuable, but it needs to be balanced with consistency that allows better evaluation of treatment outcomes. The team also debated treatment protocols. Being flexible in planning is important, but deviations from the protocol should be kept to a minimum. Lastly, they discussed antimicrobial resistance and its role in the cause of death with respiratory diseases. 

2:37 When to Start Treatment 

10:03 Treatment Protocol

19:31 Antimicrobial Resistance 

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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Epigenetics and Udder Quality

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On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, the experts answer a listener’s question comparing two genetically identical bulls raised in different environments. The group discusses whether early development and nutrition can influence fertility, longevity, or even the genetics passed on to offspring, diving into the emerging science of epigenetics. Lastly, the team tackles a listener question on udder quality, exploring how heritable udder traits are and when producers should use them as culling criteria in the herd.

3:13 Epigenetics

17:31 Udder Quality

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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Herd Health: Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Heifers vs. Cows

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On today’s episode of Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss how to choose the best synchronization protocol for artificial insemination in cattle. They explain the differences between protocols for heifers and cows, including timing, hormone use, and management considerations. The discussion highlights the importance of resources like the Beef Reproduction Task Force website and factors such as chute time, cost, and herd size. 

Episode Resource: https://beefrepro.org/

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Herd Health: Heifer Selection Strategies

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On Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss a 2025 study in the Canadian Journal of Animal Science on factors influencing heifer replacement and cow-calf profitability. The study focused on cow feed efficiency, longevity, heterosis, and lifetime productivity. Key findings include the importance of longevity, with heifers staying longer in the herd being more profitable. Crossbreeding, particularly those with more heterosis, reduced costs. Residual feed intake (RFI) was crucial, with lower RFI cows being more efficient and cost-effective. The study used data from 2011 to 2018, accounting for economic fluctuations, and found no significant differences between breeds.

Article Discussed: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385812533_Effects_of_cow_feed_efficiency_longevity_heterosis_and_lifetime_productivity_on_profitability_of_heifer_selection_and_cow-calf_operations 

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Dr. Dustin Pendell’s Trip to Taiwan, Fog Fever in Wyoming Cattle, Welfare Practices in Australia

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On this week’s Cattle Chat episode, the experts answer a listener’s question that Dr. Todd Gunderson brought to the group from his recent trip to Wyoming. Listener Dr. Glenn Gamble asked the group’s opinion on how to combat Fog Fever. Dr. Dustin Pendell also shared with us about his trip to Taiwan. Lastly, Cameron Best from Australia answers some of Dr. Eduarda Bortoluzzi’s questions about how the welfare practices in Australia differ from those in the United States and Brazil. 

2:49 Fog Fever in Wyoming Cattle   

10:37 Dr. Dustin Pendell’s trip to Taiwan

16:38 Australian Welfare Practices 

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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Research Update: Katherine Shirley, When to Preg Check, Guest: Cameron Best, Australia vs U.S. Beef Production

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In this episode of Cattle Chat, Dr. Brad White and the team welcome graduate student Katherine Shirley, who discusses her summer research on heat stress and cardiopulmonary issues in feedyard cattle. She explains how environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and hide color can influence cattle health and mortality. The crew then answers a listener’s question about pregnancy checking, covering ideal timing, methods, and the causes of early pregnancy loss. Finally, Cameron Best from Australia joins to compare U.S. and Australian cattle production, highlighting differences in climate, forage systems, and market structures. 

2:42 Research Update from Katherine Shirley

8:09 When to Preg Check

19:55 Cameron Best Compares Australian and U.S. Beef Production

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Herd Health: Passive Transfer

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Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss the failure of passive transfer in beef herds, highlighting differences from dairy cattle. Risk factors included calves born to heifers, twins, and assisted births. Higher body condition scores in cows also correlated with lower IgG levels. The study emphasized the importance of colostrum intake, especially in high-risk situations. The discussion emphasizes the need for targeted management strategies in beef cattle.

Article Discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2643452/

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Guest: Dr. Stephan Hughes, KSU Resources, Bull Fertility

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In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, Bob Weaber interviews Dr. Stephan Hughes, a veterinarian from South Africa, while on a trip. Hughes shares how he started listening to Cattle Chat and how beef production differs in South Africa. They also talk about the different tools Kansas State University has that can enhance your operation, not only in the United States but also abroad. The team then transitions to a listener question about bull fertility. The experts emphasize the importance of testing your bull’s fertility, especially as he ages. 

2:20 Dr. Stephan Hughes interview  

8:25 KSU Resources 

17:30 Listener Question: Bull Fertility  

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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