On Cattle Chat this week, the experts discuss whether or not you could be taking records, making a plan, or both when it comes to your breeding season. After the discussion, the team talks about implementing your plan. When making your plan, what should you be looking for when saving back replacement heifers? They talk about how much age should play a factor when saving back your replacement heifersÂ
4:31 Records or Plans
11:30 How to Implement a Plan
14:14 Saving Replacment Heifers
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 Bovine Science, Dr. Phillip Lancaster continues the series with an article that looks into the use of essential oils in feed rations. In part two of the Essential Oils in Rations series, they talk about the different benefits and effects of adding the oils to your feed.
This week on Cattle Chat, our guest, Dave Maples, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, joins us to discuss how the beef industry is integrated. Maples also shares how Kentucky is working with dietitians and how they are benefiting the beef industry. Lastly, they talk about food as medicine. Â
4:21 Integration of the Industry
8:18 Dietitian’s Role in the Industry
15:42 Food as Medicine
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!
A 2,000 cow dairy is seeing high culling rates due to lameness but not the typical lameness they are used to. What is wrong? Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz will discuss.
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 producers in the field.
This week on Cattle Chat, one of our graduate students, Makenna Jensen, joined the team to update us on her research project. With Makenna graduating and starting a new job this spring, they also discussed new grad opportunities and the transition from college to joining a new community. Lastly, the group discussed how to evaluate new products that enter the market.
3:07 Research Update: Makenna Jensen
10:53 New Grad Opportunities
16:07 New Products: How to EvaluateÂ
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 Bovine Science, Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings an article that looked into the use of essential oils in feed rations. The experts go over this paper and the styles of research groups used for the experiment.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the crew discuss the changing methods of parasite control. They continue the show by reviewing a paper discussed in a recent Bovine Science episode regarding back fat in bulls. Finally, the team discusses grazing cover crops and the effects on the soil. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode!
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!
On this episode of After the Abstract, Dr. Todd Gunderson brings a research article which looks at the effects of backfat thickness on results of a breeding soundness exam. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Gunderson go through the article and discuss the issues this study addressed as well as the potential affects of this research.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, we start by answering a listener question on creep feeding bulls. Next, the crew cover anemia; the causes, effects, and treatment. Finally they discuss investigating new diseases in your herd. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode!
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 week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the crew is joined by BCI student Rebecca Bigelow who talks about her research on liver abscesses. Next, the team discuss preventing calves from losing weight when they go to the sale. Finally, Brad brings an article which looks at the cattle industry in South America and how is compares to the U.S.. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode!
2:36 Rebecca Bigelow: Research Update
10:08 Reducing Shrinkage
15:18 South American Cattle Industry
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 week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the team debates phenotype versus genotype when selecting replacement heifers. Next, Dustin leads the discussion on marketing with rising cattle prices. Finally the crew discuss water quality management.
2:25 Replacement Heifers
11:56 Marketing
1:13 Water 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!
Weaning and preconditioning calves is a stressful time for the calves, but a time when a lot of value can be gained with the right management. Preconditioning can allow calves to get over the stress of weaning, become bunk broke, and gain some weight all of which adds value to the calves at the time of sale. Calves that are weaned often spend a considerable amount of time walking the fenceline bawling, and more importantly not eating. During this time calves can lose weight, which means that for preconditioning to be cost effective, the calves must regain the lost weight and gain additional weight.
A recent study evaluated 3 different weaning methods and 3 different forage sources on preconditioning weight gain. Calves were weaned abruptly, fence-line weaned, or nose-flap weaned. Within each weaning method, calves were fed cool-season grass-clover baleage, bermudagrass hay, or grazed a pasture with a mixture of crabgrass, pearl millet and forage soybean for 60 days. The crude protein of the baleage, hay, and pasture were 14.9, 12.8, and 10.6%, and the estimated total digestible nutrients of all forage sources was approximately 55%. All calves were fed dried distillers grains at 1% of body weight.
There was no interaction between weaning method and preconditioning diet. Calves weaned using the fence-line method gained 1.85 lb/day compared with 1.76 lb/day for the nose-flap and abrupt weaning methods during the first 30 days. There was no difference in weight gain among weaning methods for the second 30 days or overall.
Calves fed hay gained faster in the first 30 days of the preconditioning period, but much slower in the second 30 days than calves fed baleage or pasture (Figure 1). There was no difference in gain between baleage and pasture groups in the first or second 30 days. Over the entire 60 days, calves fed hay gained less than calves fed baleage or pasture.
Weaning method and forage source can affect weight gain in the first 30 days, but more important economically is the weight gain of the overall preconditioning period. In this case, weaning treatment did not affect overall weight gain, but forage source did.
On this episode of After the Abstract, Dr. Todd Gunderson brings a research article which looks at income and job satisfaction among bovine practitioners. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Gunderson go through the article and discuss the issues this study addressed as well as the potential affects of this research.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses the Veterinary Research Scholars Program and the research those students have done with the BCI. Next, the crew explain listeriosis and how to identify it in your herd. Finally they have a debate over co-grazing, it’s benefits and potential risks.
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!
After a big thunderstorm some calves are found dead and some found sick. What caused it and why were the cows not affected? Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz will find out in this episode of Bovine Science.
The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the team is joined by BCI graduate student Hayden Kunnary who gives an update on his research. Next the experts talk about record keeping during the summer. The crew round out the episode by debating the impact of consumer demand on the beef industry.
3:02 Hayden Kunnary Research Update
10:20 Summer Record Keeping
15:08 Consumer Demand Debate
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!
On this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings an article which looked into backgrounding steers in the Nebraska sand hills. The experts go over this paper and discuss what implications this research could have for the future.
After a large snow storm 34 cows have aborted their calves. What caused this and how can it be prevented in the future? Find out on this episode of Tox Talk a Bovine Science Podcast with Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz? Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!
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 crew is joined by parasite expert, Dr. Brian Herrin to discuss the theileriosis and tick control as well as Redwater disease. Finally the experts give some tips on marketing straight to consumer beef. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
2:54 Theileriosis and Tick Control
12:16 Listener Question: Redwater Disease
16:49 Listener Question: Freezer Beef
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 starts off with a research update from BCI student Jordana Zimmermann. She talks about her project on rate of consumption. Next the experts discuss how to monitor herd health in a pasture. Finally the crew is joined by parasite expert, Dr. Brian Herrin to discuss the New World screwworm. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
3:28 Research Update: Consumption Rate
11:09 Pasture Herd Health
16:55 New World Screwworm
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 week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the team is joined by special guest Dr. Haley Larson , assistant professor of animal health at K-State Olathe. She shares her research on drones using thermal imaging to improve cattle management. Dustin Pendell continues the series on tariffs this week covering the impacts on the animal health corridor. Finally Larson discusses her research on rotating ionophores and their impact on cattle performance.
3:50 Drones for Thermal Imaging
12:03 Pasture Turnout
17:18 Rotating Ionophores
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 Bovine Science, we delve into the intricacies of sorghum silage processing and its impact on beef heifer nutrition. Our discussion centers around the recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science titled “Evaluation of kernel processing and processor type in whole-plant sorghum silage: effects on nutrient digestibility and animal performance in backgrounding beef heifers” (https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae369).
Welcome to BCI Cattle Chat! For Dr. Brian Lubbers last episode as a host he shares information on clostridial diseases and the value of getting Beef Quality Assurance certified. Dr. Dustin Pendell also gives a breakdown on tariffs. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode!
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 last decade corn ethanol co-products have replaced a large portion of corn in diets of growing and finishing cattle due to availability and price. However, the price of corn has decreased considerably in the last year making it a cost-effective feedstuff in cattle diets again. A recent study evaluated replacing modified distillers grains with solubles with dry rolled corn in high roughage growing diets. Additionally, the study compared brome hay: sorghum silage with baled corn stalks as the forage source in the diet.
The study used 120 individually-fed steers weighing 620 lb at the start of the study. The steers were fed for 84 days and growth, feed intake and feed efficiency were measured. The diets consisted of 56% forage, 40% a combination of distillers grains and dry rolled corn, and 4% supplement. The main part of the study was to evaluate replacement of modified wet distillers grains with dry rolled corn. There were 4 diets with modified distllers grains at 40, 32, 24, and 16% of the diet dry matter. Dry rolled corn was then included at 0, 8, 16, and 24% of the diet dry matter. As distillers grains decreased in the diet and dry rolled corn increased, there was a linear decrease in gain and feed efficiency such that steers on all diets at the same amount of feed but gained differently (Figure 1).
A probable reason for the decreased gain of steers fed more dry rolled corn could be the decrease in protein in the diet. The protein was 17, 15, 13, and 12% for diets with 40, 32, 24, and 16% distillers grains. In the diets with 24 and 16% distillers grains, urea was added to maintain protein levels at 12%. All diets were evaluated using a nutrition model and results indicated that all diets met requirements for metabolizable protein; however, true protein from distillers grains and microbial protein synthesis from urea may not have been equivalent.
The second part of the study was to evaluate brome hay: sorghum silage versus corn stalks as the forage source in the diet. The brome hay: sorghum silage had crude protein of 7.8%, neutral detergent fiber of 67% and digestibility of 54% compared to 4.0%, 77%, and 49% for the corn stalks indicating that the corn stalks were of lesser nutritional value. The corn stalks were included at 56% of the diet dry matter; the same as the brome hay: sorghum silage such that diets with corn stalks likely had lesser net energy for gain values. Steers fed corn stalks gain 1.76 lb/day compared to 2.89 lb/day for steers fed brome hay: sorghum silage. Interestingly, feed efficiency was the same between forage sources indicating that the lesser gain of steers fed corn stalks was due to lesser feed intake, and not necessarily lesser digestibility of the diet.
In conclusion, when dry rolled corn replaces large amounts of modified distillers grains in forage-based growing diets, a true protein source like soybean meal may need to be added to the diet. Replacing brome hay:sorghum silage with corn stalks may decrease feed intake and growth in backgrounding diets.
Figure 1. Dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) of steers fed diets with 40, 32, 24, and 16% modified distillers grains (DGS) and 0, 8, 16, and 24% dry rolled corn (DRC). Adapted from Ferrari et al. (2024;  10.15232/aas.2024-02551).Â
Introducing the newest edition of Bovine Science, Pasture Pulse. For this edition Dr. Brad White is joined by Dr. Matt Miesner to discuss cattle health cases. On this episode a cow appears sick shortly after having the calf, but the cause is not easy to identify. Thanks for listening.
