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.
Understanding the overall sustainability of beef production is important for making continuous improvement allowing documentation of improvement over time. A couple of recent studies estimated the overall sustainability metrics of beef production in the US (Rotz et al., 2019) and Canada (Aboagye et al., 2024). In both countries, methane emissions were the primary greenhouse gas emitted, with the cow-calf sector accounting for more than 50% of the total. The primary use of fossil fuel energy was feed production in both countries. Additionally, the primary use of blue water was feed production in both countries. Blue water is surface or ground water used for irrigation, cattle drinking, and cleaning of facilities and equipment: it does not include green (rain) water that falls on crop fields and pasture.
Even though beef production in the US and Canada may seem relatively similar, there are subtle differences. For example, growing cattle in Canada may spend fewer days on pasture consuming high roughage diets leading to lower methane emissions. Feed production in the US uses more fertilizer per acre of arable land leading to greater fossil energy use. And the US uses more freshwater for agriculture production than Canada. The difference between the US and Canada in climate conditions is the primary driver in the differences in overall sustainability metrics.
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.
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!
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.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! On this episode the experts dive into managing your yearling bulls. Next, they answer a listener question about adapting your mineral program throughout the year. Finally, the experts give some tips on handling fall born calves. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
11:05 Listener Question: Mineral Program Adaptation
15:56 Managing Fall Born 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!
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!
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! On this episode the experts are joined by another great guest Dr. Ty Lawrence Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair in Meat Science at West Texas A&M. They start the episode by discussing the changes in cattle overtime and how cattle may look in the future. Next, Dr. Brad White asks the experts about carcass size and what size should producers aim for. Finally Dr. Lawrence talks about some diseases he sees in the packing plants and how they compare to what we see at the BCI. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
2:47 Evolution of Carcass Composition
10:52 Optimal Carcass Size
15:54 Diseases in Fed Cattle
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!
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! This episode one of our students Liliana Rivas joins to tell us about her research with beef-dairy cross calves. Next, Marshall Stewart is back to tell us about K-State’s new project with Garden City Community College. Dr. Lancaster finishes the episode by answering a listener question concerning a cow feed program. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
3:00 Liliana Rivas Research Update
10:05 Marshall Stewart: Garden City Partnership
16:48 Listener Question: Feed Program
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!
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this episode Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brian Lubbers discuss what Leptospirosis is and whether we should vaccinate for it every year. Next Dr. Brad White asks the crew what affects mud can have on a cattle herd and what can we do to help. Finally they answer a listener question pertaining to mineral programs. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
3:02 Leptospirosis
9:16 Mud
13:52 Listener Question: Mineral Program
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!
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!
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!
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! On this episode we have a very special guest, Dr. Marshall Stewart, the Executive Vice President for External Engagement and Chief of Staff here at K-State. Dr. Larson begins our episode by asking the experts about the importance of outreach and extension. Next they answer a listener question concerning senior cows. Finally, Dr. Stewart and the experts give some advice on those wanting to get into ranching and where to begin. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
2:12 Outreach with Marshall Stewart
10:06 Listener Question: Senior Cows
14:24 Starting a Ranch
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!
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.
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.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! On this episode our experts along with guest host Dr. Todd Gunderson discuss the New World Screwworm or Cochliomyia hominivorax. Next they answer a listener question about water belly or urolithiasis. Finally Dr. Dustin Pendell is back with some tips on book keeping in cold weather. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
3:00 New World Screwworm
8:58 Listener Question: Water belly
14:22 Cold Weather Tips
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!
In the initial call Dr. Scott Fritz receives a box of cattle to determine what caused 30% death loss after heifers were put out on grass. Find out how they got to the bottom of this case on this episode of Tox Talk 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.
Fescue toxicosis is a syndrome of cattle consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue. The endophyte provides a hardiness to the plant allowing the plant to grow in stressful conditions such as drought and cold temperatures. However, the endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that are detrimental to cattle performance. Cattle experience hormonal changes in the production of and response to natural serotonin that result in lower heat tolerance and reduced feed intake.
Serotonin is synthesized in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. One therapy being explored is administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan, which is a step in the synthesis of serotonin from tryptophan. In a recent study, researchers at USDA-ARS tested the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on the response of steers fed endophyte-infected fescue seed. By providing 5-hydroxytryptophan, the researchers were able to reverse the negative effects of ergot alkaloids on blood serotonin levels and cattle feed intake (Figure 1). The control steers that were not fed endophyte-infected seed or 5-hydroxytryptophan consumed 1.9% of body weight whereas the steers fed endophyte-infected seed without 5-hydroxytryptophan consumed only 1.8% of body weight. However, when steers fed endophyte-infected seed were also given 5-hydroxytryptophan, feed intake was not different from the control steers indicating that 5-hydrxytyptophan reversed the negative effects of endophyte-infected seed on feed intake.
Giving cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue a dose of 5-hydroxytryptophan would likely greatly improve the performance of these cattle. However, 5-hydroxytryptophan is not ready for commercial application yet. In this study, steers were dosed with 5-hydroxytryptophan through a rumen cannula into the abomasum, thus bypassing the rumen microbes and any possible degradation of 5-hydroxytryptophan. Before 5-hydroxytryptophan could be added to feed, a method to protect it from the rumen microbes will need to be developed. However, this molecule shows great potential to improve performance of cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue.
In this episode of Diving into Diets a Bovine Science Podcast Dr. White and Dr. Lancaster look at a research paper about the effects of poor nutrition on late gestation cows. They will dive into what this means for future research as well as their key takeaways.
Article Discussed: Colby A Redifer, Lindsey G Wichman, Shelby L Davies-Jenkins, Abigail R Rathert-Williams, Harvey C Freetly, Allison M Meyer, Late gestational nutrient restriction in primiparous beef females: Performance and metabolic status of lactating dams and pre-weaning calves, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 102, 2024, skae015, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae015
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! Dr. Brad White, Dr. Brian Lubbers and Dr. Bob Larson are joined this week by Cambree Schmaltz and Dr. Ted Schroeder. They discuss some exciting new innovations in record keeping for cow calf producers and Cambree talks about her research project looking into the economics of beef-dairy cross and serial slaughter.
For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @The_BCI, 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!
Yearling heifers are found walking odd after being moved to a grass pasture. 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.
Can we use rye grain to finish cattle? In this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Lancaster and Dr. White look into a research paper covering this topic. With this research paper titled, “Production and use of dry-rolled hybrid rye grain as a replacement for barley grain on growth performance and carcass quality of feedlot steers ” (Zhang et al.) they discuss the possibility of feeding rye versus feeding barley and it’s effects on the cattle. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show!
Link to Article: Fuquan Zhang, Rachel E Carey, Rebecca S Brattain, Herman Wehrle, Gregory B Penner, Production and use of dry-rolled hybrid rye grain as a replacement for barley grain on growth performance and carcass quality of feedlot steers, Translational Animal Science, Volume 8, 2024, txae059, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae059
Phillip Lancaster, MS, PhD Ruminant nutritionist Beef Cattle Institute Kansas State University palancaster@vet.k-state.edu
Pasture management is a key component to cow-calf production systems by affecting the carrying capacity of grasslands but also the ability of forage to meet the nutritional requirements of cattle. A lot of focus has been on management intensive grazing (e.g., rotational grazing, adaptive multi-paddock grazing, etc.) and its ability to maintain or increase the ecosystem function and productivity of rangelands. However, another important component of rangelands is fire.
A recent study evaluated the effects of patch-burning on forage nutritive value, animal grazing distribution, and animal performance. Patch-burning is a practice where only a section of the pasture is burned every 3-5 years rather than burning the entire pasture at once. This creates an array in grazing pressure across the pasture, adds heterogeneity to the landscape for different wildlife species, helps control undesirable plants, and leaves plant residue to increase organic carbon back into the soil. In the study, continuous grazing management was used with patch burning treatment and was compared with continuous and rotational grazing management systems without fire in mixed grass rangeland. Each of the 3 treatments had 4 pastures and Angus cow-calf pairs were used to graze the pastures over a 4-year period. The rotational grazing system was a seasonal rest-rotation within a twice-over rotational system.
In the year of burning, patch-burned sites had improved crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of forage than continuous and rotational grazing systems without fire. Patch-burned sites that were burned 1 to 3 years prior also had improved forage nutritive values compared with continuous and rotational grazing systems without fire. Only the unburned site in the patch-burned treatment had lower forage nutritive value than the continuous and rotational grazing systems without fire. The rotational grazing system had improved forage nutritive value than the continuous grazing system.
In the patch-burned treatment, cattle spent more time in the most recently burned section of the pasture most likely due to the increase forage nutritive value. Additionally, the most recently burned section had the greatest proportion of forage samples that met or exceeded the nutrient requirements of cows (Figure 1). This resulted in cows in the patch-burn treatment gaining > 0.4 lb/d compared with < 0.2 lb/d for cows in the continuous and rotational grazing treatments without fire. Thus, the need for protein supplementation of cow-calf pairs may be decreased when patch-burn grazing is used.
In conclusion, patch-burning can be used to improve forage nutritive value for grazing cattle in continuous grazing systems compared with rotational grazing systems. Patch-burning can also be used to concentrate grazing on different sections of the rangeland over time because cattle will preferentially increase time spent in the most recently burned section of the rangeland. Additionally, patch-burning is a good management practice to blend cattle production with wildlife conservation goals.
Figure 1. The proportion of forage samples meeting or exceeding nutrient requirements for protein and energy of 1250-lb cow producing 18 lb/d at peak milk. Adapted from Wanchuk et al., (2024; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109004)
With new genomic technology being used for Holstein cattle in the dairy industry, will this technology assist with fertility in the beef cattle industry? Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White discuss this topic along with a review paper that looks at using these technologies on beef cattle. They also discuss how to use omics to help select cattle and improve herd fertility.
Article Discussed: N.C. Kertz, P. Banerjee, P.W. Dyce, W.J.S. Diniz. Harnessing genomics and transcriptomics approaches to improve female fertility in beef cattle – A review. Animals 13:3284, 2023 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/20/3284
Castration is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures done on beef cattle. The reasons that bulls are castrated include: controlling which males are allowed to breed females, to produce animals that are easier to manage due to decreased aggressive and sexual behavior, and to produce a carcass that is higher quality.
A variety of simple surgical techniques can be used to castrate a bull. Young bull calves less than 250 lbs. are usually castrated lying down or in a calf cradle. Older and larger bull calves are generally castrated in the standing position in a squeeze chute. Regardless of the position, proper castration technique and good sanitation are important to minimize problems following castration.
For commercial producers, bull calves should be castrated as young as is practical for the farm or ranch. Purebred producers castrate a smaller percentage of bull calves than commercial producers and prefer to delay castration until the calves have an opportunity to express growth and other traits. Weight gain of bulls castrated at a young age and treated with a growth-promoting implant will equal that of calves left as bulls until weaning – thus removing an economic incentive to delay castration. One reason it is recommended that castration be done at a young age is that bulls castrated at weaning age (i.e. 6-8 months) will gain very poorly or will lose weight following the surgery and are at higher risk for post-castration infection or excessive bleeding than younger calves. In addition, castration is starting to receive more attention from an animal welfare standpoint.
The reason that producers need to consider the welfare aspects of castration is that all physical methods of castration cause pain. The extent and duration of pain probably differs between castration methods, and more work needs to be done to identify the least painful procedures. Age at castration also appears to affect the pain response in castrated bulls, with some research trials demonstrating fewer indications of pain in calves castrated at less than a week of age compared to older calves; and other trials show apparently less pain response in calves castrated less than 21 days of age compared to 42 day old calves.
As we look at other countries and how they view castration of bulls – in England, regulations require that any bull greater than two months of age be given local anesthesia to deaden the ability to feel pain at the castration site and the surgery must be done by a veterinarian. Anesthesia and pain medication are required for castration in several northern European countries. Anesthesia is also required for castration of bulls in Switzerland and the use of rubber rings is prohibited. Regulations in Ireland require use of anesthesia for castration of cattle older than six months of age. In the United States, few drugs are approved for use to control pain in cattle and while research has not clarified the best combination of products, utilizing one or more methods of pain control at the time of castration is becoming common in the U.S as well.
