Cow Talks

In this episode of Cow Talks, host Dr. Marcelo Wallau and Dr. Shelby Gruss discuss nitrate toxicity and prussic acid poisoning in livestock, particularly in relation to forage production. They explore the causes and management strategies for these two distinct problems. The conversation highlights the significance of educating producers about these issues to ensure the safety and health of livestock.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Brett Bultmeier, director of the University of Florida / IFAS Pesticide Information Office, discusses significant changes in pesticide licensing, and some new regulations that are coming up. The discussion explores the transition to new testing procedures, the implications of new labeling requirements, and the expected impact on farmers. The conversation also highlights the importance of keeping up with regulatory changes within federal agencies like the EPA and the future of training materials in the field of pesticide safety.

For more information, visit https://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Brett Bultmeier, director of the University of Florida / IFAS Pesticide Information Office, discusses significant changes in pesticide licensing, and some new regulations that are coming up. The discussion explores the transition to new testing procedures, the implications of new labeling requirements, and the expected impact on farmers. The conversation also highlights the importance of keeping up with regulatory changes within federal agencies like the EPA and the future of training materials in the field of pesticide safety.

For more information, visit https://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/

In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau and David Zierden discuss the recent weather patterns in Florida and the impact it may have on farmers, focusing on the summer's unusual dryness and the impact of La Niña on upcoming winter conditions. They explore the implications of hurricane activity and the importance of planning ahead for farmers during this fall season 2025. For more information, check out https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/.

In this conversation, we revisited two old episodes from Forage Nexus, our sister podcast with Drs. Lilian Silva, from Clemson University, and Bruno Pedreira, from the University of Tennessee. We invited two distinguished colleagues, Drs. Jim Muir and Jamie Foster discuss the importance of legumes in forage and livestock production systems. We explored ways to increase forage productivity and resilience through legumes, and discussed the challenges of adopting legumes at the farm scale. Those episodes were recorded during the National Forage Week, an initiative of the American Grass and Forage Council to promote the role of grasslands in food production.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Marcelo Wallau hosts his colleagues Dr. Diwakar Vyas and Dr. Adesogan Adegbola (Gbola), to discuss the recent XX International Silage Conference held at the University of Florida in July 2025. The conference brought 330 researchers and allied industry from  37 different countries, representing 141 organizations, institutions and companies. . They explore the origins of the conference, its impact on global networking, key takeaways from presentations, and the role of silage in addressing food insecurity, poverty and animal production. The conversation also highlights the future of silage research, culminating in the announcement of the next conference to be held in Nigeria in 2028. To learn more about the conference, check https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/silage/index.php.

This conversation takes listeners back to 2021 with expert Dr. Cheryl Mackowiak, who delves into the intricacies of fertilization strategies in livestock management, focusing on both cool and warm season pastures. The discussion highlights the importance of nitrogen management, the role of legumes in enhancing soil fertility, and the challenges faced in seed production, particularly with Bahia grass. The hosts share insights from their experiences and research, providing practical advice for producers looking to optimize their pasture systems.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Marcelo Wallau discusses the intricacies of cool season variety trials with Henry Jordan and Maria Elena Mailhos. They delve into the importance of variety trials in forage production with a specific focus on the impact of cool seasons on crop yield across the southeast, specifically, in Florida and Alabama. The conversation also covers seeding rates, seed availability, and emerging varieties in the forage sector.

https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/forage/official-variety-trials/

https://aaes.auburn.edu/variety-tests/

Join us on Cow Talks as we delve into the pressing issue of New World Screwworms with Dr. Diane Kitchen, a veterinary manager with FDACS and state epidemiologist. As a continuation of our conversation with Drs. Andrew Short and Edwin Burgess, we discuss the history, current threats, and the critical importance of surveillance and reporting in preventing the spread of this potentially devastating pest. Stay informed and vigilant to protect both livestock and wildlife in the Southeastern United States while tuning in for expert insights on safeguarding forage communities.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm

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

In this episode of Cow Talks, Steve Smith, Chief of Field Services at Florida’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy, joins host Marcelo Wallau to unpack the role of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in sustainable farming. They discuss how BMPs support both environmental protection and agricultural efficiency, the benefits of enrolling in the program, and how Florida producers can access cost-share opportunities and technical support. A must-listen for anyone involved in or curious about the future of integrated crop-livestock systems in the Southeast.

Florida BMP Manuals Where to access Best Management Practice (BMP) manuals for different commodities.

FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP)General info, contact, and enrollment resources.

Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) Info on which regions are within BMAP boundaries and associated requirements.