Cow Talks

In our first episode of 2026, host Marcelo Wallau welcomes Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, an advocate for forage and livestock agriculture around the world. Peter travels the world to connect with people from all areas, from farmers to physicians, from agronomist to dietitians, and educate the public about the importance livestock agriculture has in feeding a healthier and more sustainable world. Peter has been a strong advocate for animal protein-based diets as a way to combat malnourishment and metabolic disorders. Here, he shares with us a bit of his trajectory and his thoughts about how we, as farmers and educators, can engage with the public to tell our story, and share the relevance of the work we do.

Join Marcelo Wallau as he wraps up an incredible year for Cow Talks, thanking listeners and guests alike for the best season yet. Tune in for insights and a look ahead to more engaging content in the new year.

In this episode, Marcelo Wallau, Chris Prevatt, and Hannah Baker reflect on 2025 as a pivotal year for the beef cattle industry. They look back on how market trends, rising production costs, shifting consumer demand, and pressures from imports shaped the year, while examining the consequences of historically low cattle inventories. The discussion also revisits the challenges posed by screwworm and what they revealed about industry preparedness and risk management. Together, the hosts consider what 2025 taught producers and what those lessons may mean as the industry moves into 2026 and beyond.

Join us in this episode from our sister podcast, Forage Nexus, where we delve into the world of grasslands and their pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. We bring in Dr. Lynn Sollenberger, a renowned expert in forage systems. Hosted by Marcelo Wallau, Lilian Silva, and Bruno Pedreira, this episode features insights about the vast scale of grasslands, their impact on ecosystems, and the unique benefits they offer to our society and environment. 

In this episode of Our Research in Perspective, host Marcelo Wallau speaks with Renan Pedro Becker, a Master's degree student at the University of Florida. Renan is working with new tetraploid (Argentine-type) bahiagrass materials. This conversation focuses on management strategies to increase seed production. Becker explains how short mowing height in late spring, at the beginning of the reproductive phase, can increase tillering and, therefore, seed production. His work is part of an effort with the Forage Breeding team to develop and evaluate new bahiagrass materials for future cultivar release.

In this episode of Research in Perspective, host Marcelo Wallau speaks with Dr. Nicolas Caram, a recent PhD graduate from our Agronomy Department. The conversation is about the balance of legumes and grasses in pasture systems. They delve into the productive, environmental and economic impacts of legume integration, exploring how different proportions of legumes in pasture can affect animal performance and pasture productivity. Nico shares insights from his research on the importance of legumes in grass-based pastures and discusses the challenges and benefits of establishing perennial peanut. 

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Marcelo Wallau speaks with Jim Malooley, director for Agrivoltaic Operations at Silicon Ranch, and Bill Johnson, 7th generation farmer, now at Silicon Ranch. This interview was part of the 4th Small Ruminant Short Course hosted at the University of Florida in 2025, and was recorded live during that event. Dr. Wallau and his guests explore the concepts of agrivoltaics, where we merge agricultural and energy production to improve land use efficiency. In the discussion panel, Jim and Bill address the benefits and shortcomings using sheep for grazing under the solar panels, and offer practical recommendations those interested in venturing in those partnerships.

In this episode of Cow Talks, host Marcelo Wallau speaks with entomologists Dr. Norman Leppla and graduate researcher William Piwowarek about the reemergence of mole crickets in Florida’s pastures. The conversation digs into the pest’s South American origins, the history of insecticide and biological control efforts, and how sustainable management practices can prevent infestations. Wilhelm shares his ongoing fieldwork and surveys across the state to understand why some farms are seeing renewed problems while others aren’t. To contribute to his research, fill out the following survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/mz9kb8jd

In this first episode of Our Research in Perspective, Dr. Marcelo Wallau speaks with Dr. Hannah Rush —agronomist and agroecologist researcher in sustainable cropping with the University of Minnesota— to discuss her research on sustainable cropping practices. Their conversation explores strategies for establishing cool-season forages, the value of species diversity in forage systems, and practical approaches to nitrogen fertilization and legume integration. Together, they highlight how functional diversity and thoughtful management can boost overall forage performance and discuss the aspects to consider when putting together forage mixes.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Marcelo Wallau brings Marshall Sewell, founder of Mind your Melon, an organization dedicated to addressing mental health stigmas in agriculture. Together, they explore the unique stressors faced by farmers that stem from generational and current economic pressures. Marshall shares his personal story of loss and the founding of the Mind Your Melon Foundation, which aims to raise awareness and provide resources for mental health in the agricultural community. The conversation emphasizes the need for introspection and proactive approaches to mental wellbeing.

Resources: https://mindyourmelon.org/Mind your Melon podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1VhSquap7tq2N0hOg69POV?si=16f4641a6bdb4be6