Tag: bovine science

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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When Fly Spray Turns Toxic: A Costly Insecticide Mixing Mistake

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This case study examines a situation where a producer attempted to control a heavy fly burden by spraying cattle with a topical insecticide, only to have several cows develop severe toxic signs within hours. Affected animals became recumbent, excessively salivated, developed diarrhea, experienced respiratory distress, and showed muscle tremors and weakness, raising immediate concerns about insecticide toxicity.

The investigation focused on two common groups of insecticides used in cattle: organophosphates and pyrethroids. Because the cattle exhibited the classic “SLUD” syndrome of excessive salivation, lacrimation, urination, and defecation, the evidence pointed strongly toward organophosphate poisoning. Review of the product label revealed that the insecticide had been mixed at a dramatically higher concentration than recommended. Instead of being diluted according to animal-use directions, the concentrate was mixed at a strength far closer to premise-spray concentrations, resulting in massive overdosing.

The discussion highlights how many insecticide products contain multiple sets of directions depending on whether they are being used on facilities, back rubbers, or directly on animals, making careful label review essential. Once toxicity was identified, treatment focused on immediately washing cattle with detergent and water to remove residual insecticide from the skin and administering atropine to reduce secretions and support breathing.

Fortunately, the affected cattle recovered after treatment, demonstrating the importance of rapid recognition and intervention. The case serves as a reminder that insecticides are highly potent compounds designed to affect nervous system function and must be handled with extreme care. Proper dilution, careful reading of product labels, and attention to species-specific application instructions are critical to preventing potentially fatal mistakes during fly control programs.

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How Heritable Is Fertility in Beef Cattle?

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In this episode of Bovine Science, we examine a 2024 Journal of Animal Science study that used hundreds of thousands of cattle records to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on fertility in beef cattle. The study evaluated traits including calving date, calving interval, first-calf interval, early calving, and heifer pregnancy.

The discussion highlights that most fertility traits have very low heritability, meaning management decisions such as nutrition, body condition, breeding-season length, and bull fertility have a much greater influence on reproductive performance. Heifer pregnancy was the exception, showing moderate heritability and providing a potential opportunity for genetic selection. The study also found no evidence that selecting for greater weaning or yearling weight negatively affects fertility, with yearling weight actually showing a positive association with heifer pregnancy.

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A New Approach to Mycoplasma Control: Evaluating a Modified-Live Vaccine in Young Calves

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This episode reviews a 2026 study investigating whether a modified-live Mycoplasma bovis vaccine can help protect young calves from one of the most frustrating respiratory disease pathogens in the cattle industry. The researchers conducted a controlled challenge trial in neonatal calves, comparing vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups after exposure to Mycoplasma bovis.

The results showed several encouraging outcomes for vaccinated calves. They experienced fewer lung lesions, fewer days with fever, and a shorter duration of clinical illness compared with non-vaccinated controls. In addition, vaccinated calves developed higher antibody levels both before and after challenge, suggesting that the vaccine stimulated a meaningful immune response.

The discussion also highlights important statistical considerations. While the study found positive effects on lung lesions and fever duration, some clinical disease measures showed less dramatic differences, emphasizing the need to carefully interpret challenge-study data. The hosts point out that challenge trials measure vaccine efficacy under controlled conditions, which differs from vaccine effectiveness in real-world ranch environments.

Another key point is that the study was funded and conducted by researchers affiliated with the vaccine manufacturer, making critical evaluation of study design and interpretation especially important. Despite those limitations, the trial was well designed, with randomization, blinding, and strong biosecurity controls. Overall, the paper provides promising evidence that a modified-live Mycoplasma bovis vaccine may become a useful tool for respiratory disease management, while also underscoring the need for larger field studies to determine how well those results translate to commercial cattle operations.

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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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heifers in pasture

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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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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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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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.

Article Discussed: HERE

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After the Abstract: Managing Johne’s Disease in Beef Herds

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This episode of After the Abstract reviews a 2025 study on managing Johne’s disease in beef cattle using different testing and culling strategies in a modeled 300-cow herd. The results showed that testing cows every six months reduced disease prevalence the most, but was the least profitable strategy, even compared with doing nothing. Testing every 24 months provided the best economic balance, lowering prevalence moderately while maintaining the highest net return. The discussion also emphasizes that the prevalence of Johne’s disease in purchased replacement cattle and strong biosecurity practices may influence herd outcomes more than frequent testing.

Article Discused: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41472190/

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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.

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Tox Talk: Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle

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On this episode of Tox Talk, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where eight bred cows were moved into a barn ahead of a winter storm and were found dead the next morning. While initial concerns focused on the barn environment, testing revealed the cause was acute nitrate poisoning from newly introduced millet hay containing high nitrate levels. Nitrate toxicity can cause rapid death, often within hours, and may leave few obvious signs. This case is a reminder to consider what has changed when sudden losses occur, especially feed sources. Certain forages, including millet and other stress-grown crops, can accumulate nitrates, and toxicity persists after baling. Testing unfamiliar or newly purchased hay can help prevent devastating losses.

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Diving into Diets: Phosphorus and Calcium in Lactating Beef Cows

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In this episode of Diving into Diets, the discussion examines how different phosphorus and calcium diets affect phosphorus retention, milk composition, calf growth, and bone status in beef cattle. While cows on lower-phosphorus diets maintained milk production and calf growth in the short term, they mobilized phosphorus from bone, unlike cows on high-phosphorus, high-calcium diets. The takeaway is that cows are resilient and can tolerate short-term deficiencies, but inadequate long-term mineral intake may eventually impair performance, underscoring the need for appropriate supplementation.

Article Discussed: https://era.dpi.qld.gov.au/id/eprint/14721/1/AN24216.pdf

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