Cow Talks

Pasture mealybug continues to spread across Florida, with new detections raising questions about how the pest is moving and why damage is appearing in some pastures but not others. In this update, Dr. Brent Sellers and Dr. Isaac Esquivel discuss the latest field observations, early detection, insecticide use, and strategies for managing affected pastures during the stockpiling season. They also share emerging findings and highlight the many questions researchers are still working to answer.

In this presentation, Dr. Mary Beth Hall explores how Florida's unique growing conditions shape forage quality and availability. She discusses the importance of balancing digestibility and effective fiber to support rumen function, while considering how forage type, maturity, processing and environmental conditions affect animal performance. The presentation also examines practical considerations for both dairy and beef cattle producers.

How can producers reduce winter feeding costs while maintaining forage quality? In this episode of Our Research in Perspective, UF graduate researcher Olivia Centanni shares findings from her master's research on fall forage stockpiling, rumen digestibility, and silage production in warm-season grasses.

Learn which forage species perform best and why fertilization timing matters. Olivia also draws on her data findings, and how these management decisions can improve both cattle nutrition and profitability.

In this special joint episode with Grazing the Facts, host Dale Sandlin sits down with Marcelo for an in-depth conversation about the future of forage management in Florida.Marcelo shares his journey from growing up on a cattle ranch in southern Brazil to leading statewide forage extension and research programs in Florida. The discussion explores practical strategies for improving pasture productivity while also increasing forage diversity, and building resilient grazing systems in the face changing weather conditions across the state.The episode also highlights research supported by the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board, including forage variety trials and the importance of helping producers make science-based management decisions that improve both profitability and sustainability.

On July 17th 2026, UF IFAS Forages joined FDACS and the Everglades Research and Education center for an informative webinar on pasture mealybug science, management, and what we know so far.For more information, please visit: https://go.ufl.edu/pasturemealybugs

Recorded live at the 2026 Florida Cattlemen's Convention in Marco Island, this special episode features Dr. Marcelo Wallau's presentation on his firsthand experience growing up with New World screwworm in southern Brazil. He shares practical lessons on proactive management that can help Florida producers. He also provides an update on the recently detected pasture mealybug, discussing what researchers know so far about its spread and the ongoing efforts to develop effective management strategies. Whether you're a cattle producer, forage manager, or simply interested in invasive species, tune in for timely insights into Florida agriculture. 

As New World screwworm continues spreading north through Mexico toward the U.S., entomologist Dr. Andrew Short joins Cow Talks during the Florida Cattlemen's Convention in Marco Island, FL, with Dale Sandlin and Marcelo Wallau to explain what the latest detections mean for Florida and the Southeast. The conversation covers how the pest spreads and why increased surveillance and rapid reporting are critical to protecting livestock. Dr. Short also discusses ongoing coordination among state and federal agencies and producer outreach to ensure the region is prepared should screwworm reach producers. 

Relevant links: More on Dale and AGNet here: https://southeastagnet.com/author/dsandlin/

Listen to Grazing the Facts here: https://southeastagnet.com/grazing-the-facts-podcast/

New World Screwworm from FDACS here: https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Pests-and-Diseases/Animal-Pests-and-Diseases/New-World-Screwworm

In Part 2 of Rethinking Forage Systems, Dr. Mary Beth Hall joins Marcelo Wallau for a deeper discussion on balancing starch, sugars, protein, and fiber to support healthier cows and more resilient dairy systems. The conversation explores practical nutrition strategies for managing heat stress and making better use of locally available feed resources. They also take a broader look at the future of animal agriculture, discussing the essential role ruminants play in feeding a growing world.

Recorded just after the Corn Silage and Forage Field Day in late May, this episode features Dr. Mary Beth Hall, consultant with The Cows Are Always Right and former USDA/UF researcher, joining hosts Marcelo Wallau and Diwakar Vyas for a deep dive into dairy forage systems. Dr. Hall challenges the idea of a single "best" forage, instead encouraging producers to ask what role each forage should play — digestibility versus physical effectiveness — within the diet. The conversation covers Florida's forage-deficit dairy environment, how low-forage rations should be formulated differently than northern U.S. recommendations, and current shifts to protect rumen health.

Dr. Erin Powell, scale insect taxonomist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Plant Industry (FDACS DPI), joins Cow Talks to discuss the pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei), a new invasive pest now confirmed in 14 Florida counties and expanding. Erin breaks down the insect's biology, life cycle, and likely origins, along with how it's spreading through shared equipment, sprigging practices, and roadside mowing. The episode also covers what producers and the public can do to slow its spread, the importance of reporting suspected infestations, and why caution is needed with insecticide use to protect natural enemies. To report a suspected mealybug or learn how to submit a sample, visit this link: https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Pests-and-Diseases/Plant-Pests-and-Diseases/How-to-Submit-a-Sample-for-Identification or reach out to your local extension office or [email protected].