Tag: Brad White

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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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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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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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.

Read Article Here

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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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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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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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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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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.

Article Discussed

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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