The Beef Podcast Show

Environment challenges pose significant concerns to beef cattle producers, since weather conditions and heat stress greatly influence the well-being and productivity of these animals. Therefore, producers must know how to manage these factors to maintain the health and performance of their herds by creating optimal conditions for their cattle in a changing climate. In this episode, Dr. Warren Rusche discusses beef cattle management and production risk management, especially related to weather conditions. He also shares his knowledge on integrated crops and livestock management, as well as his experience mentoring and inspiring graduate students. 

“Producers are very busy and labor is hard to find. So anything we can do to help them simplify management is generally well received and helps their business be more effective.” - Dr. Warren Rusche

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:02)
• The guest’s background (02:08)
• Mentoring graduate students (05:07)
• Environmental challenges for beef cattle (10:04)
• Producers' thoughts on weather conditions and heat stress (13:05)
• Cattle coloration and its relation to heat stress (17:23)
• Dealing the weather conditions with tools and knowledge (20:35)
• The blizzard of 2013 (25:37)
• Bedding conditions (30:21)
• Current research on silage and forage (32:33)
• Soybean meal as a substitute for distillers (38:36)
• The three final questions (45:35)

Meet the guest: Dr. Warren Rusche

Experience

• Current: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at South Dakota State University
• Past: Beef Feedlot Management Associate at South Dakota State University

Background

• Ph.D., Animal Sciences (South Dakota State University)
• M.Sc., Animal Science (Kansas State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Science (South Dakota State University)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

In today's episode, Dr. Pedro Fontes – a researcher and professor of beef cattle production and management – discusses the importance of reproductive technologies for improving the efficiency and productivity of the beef industry. He highlights the benefits of estrus synchronization programs, pre-synchronization protocols, and Doppler ultrasounds for early pregnancy diagnosis, along with the importance of assessing the value of these technologies before adopting them in specific scenarios. Additionally, Dr. Fontes emphasizes how using synchronization protocols to optimize the breeding season is key, particularly for heifers, and delves into his team's research on the effects on sperm quality of excessive body weight gain in young sires.

"The implementation of reproductive technologies has been a game changer for the beef industry in Brazil. It has been allowing for improved synchronization and AI protocol implementation, which can increase cow cycling rates and ultimately, profitability." – Dr. Pedro Fontes 

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:01)
• Guest’s background (04:41)
• Brazilian vs. American beef productions: a comparison (08:59)
• Estrus synchronization programs in Brazil (13:24)
• Pre-synchronization protocols (18:18)
• The Doppler ultrasound revolution (19:35)
• The effects of excessive body weight on the reproductive performance of bulls (22:51)
• The value and fit of reproductive technologies for optimal results (25:39)
• Synchronization protocols in heifer development (27:10)
• Teaching and applied research on beef production (28:09)
• The final questions (35:00)

Meet the guest: Dr. Pedro Fontes 

Experience

• Current: Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia

Background

• Ph.D., Physiology of Reproduction (Texas A&M University)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

In nowaday's beef industry, producing climate-friendly beef must marry with maintaining carcass quality and value. However challenging that may be, Dr. Zach Smith – an expert in animal science – believes that it is feasible through thoughtful planning and research. In this episode, he discusses the economic and environmental benefits of limit-feeding and accuracy in cattle feed, along with the complex relationship between efficiency and marbling potential. Additionally, Dr. Smith also shares his experiences with grad school and mentorship, the importance of work ethic, and some insights on the learning process, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's mistakes and the value this has for both students and mentors.

"We want to produce climate-friendly beef while at the same time maintaining the value of the product that we produce." - Dr. Zach Smith 

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (00:58)
• Dr. Smith's life story (03:00)
• The first steps of a research (10:02)
• Faculty roles and mentoring (14:26)
• Learning from errors in science (17:15)
• Climate-smart beef (22:28)
• Residual feed intake and marbling (24:17)
• Efficiency as a selection trait and its consequences (30:45)
• Efficiency in feedlot cattle (32:41)
• The final questions (35:17)

Meet the guest: Dr. Zach Smith

Experience

• Current: Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at South Dakota State University

Background

• Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
• M.Sc. (South Dakota State University)
• B.Sc. (Texas Tech University)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: Instagram

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

A technology revolution is taking place across the livestock industry. So in order to keep improving our performance, it is necessary to improve the access, communication, and implementation of such technologies. In this episode, Dr. Yijie Xiong explains how agricultural engineering and precision livestock management can play important roles within academia as well as bridge the gap between technology and its adopters. 

“It is very important to do research, but I think it's even more important to make an impact with it. That means delivering a message to the people that can benefit from it at their jobs." – Dr. Yijie Xiong

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:32)
• Agricultural engineering and its applications in the livestock industry (03:19)
• What does BSE stand for and what is its application? (09:03)
• Data does matters - but to whom? (12:28)
• What does it mean to be an effective researcher? (17:17)
• Differences between extension and teaching in technology (22:47)
• Major challenges in academia (26:59)
• What is precision livestock management? (30:11)
• Examples of technology for livestock (32:20)
• GPS and virtual fencing (35:30)
• How to communicate and show technology (43:22)
• Final questions (45:48)

Meet the guest: Dr. Yijie Xiong

Experience

• Current: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Precision Livestock Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Background

• Ph.D., Agricultural Engineering (University of Illinois)
• M.Sc., Agricultural and Biological Engineering (University of Illinois)
• B.Sc., Agricultural Structural and Biological Engineering (China's Agricultural University)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn; Twitter

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

In today's episode, Dr. Allison Meyer – an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Missouri – discusses various topics related to cow-calf development. She talks about the pros and cons of calving during spring and fall, the impact of nutrient restriction on heifer development, the challenges of holistically studying cow-calf development, the current lack of knowledge about beef calf colostrum, and the need for fundamental research. Lastly, Dr. Meyer goes into some of her research findings and observations, including the effects of mobilizing fat in pregnant heifers and the potential differences in nutrient concentration between colostrum in fall and spring cows.

“I have always liked applied work, and I definitely want to think about how something affects the producers or the animals themselves.” – Dr. Allison Meyer

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:00) 
• Beef cows and the different seasons for calving (03:23) 
• The pros and cons of fall and spring calving (07:17) 
• Colostrum of beef cows (12:41) 
• Nutrient restriction and its impact on colostrum (19:50) 
• Nutrient restriction experiments and fundamental research (27:08) 
• The ability of mama cows to mobilize resources (36:36) 
• The future of the cow-calf research (39:59) 
• The development of heifers (47:38) 
• The final questions (55:39)

Meet the guest:

Dr. Allison Meyer

Experience

• Current: Associate Professor at the University of Missouri
• Past: Assistant Professor at the University of Wyoming

Background

• Ph.D. (North Dakota State University)
• M.Sc. (University of Missouri)
• B.Sc. (Michigan State University) 

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

Extensionists play a crucial role in the development of beef cattle production. This episode features one of the best: Travis Meteer – a beef cattle extension specialist – shares his journey and insights. He emphasizes the importance of personalized decision-making that considers the specific context of each operation before introducing management changes, as well as explains the benefits and drawbacks of the innovative techniques he promotes in the Midwest. Join us for this enlightening conversation on the pivotal role of extensionists and the impact of novel management strategies on the beef cattle industry.

“I have learned that there is not a single prescription, so you do have to address every situation as a unique one in order to understand its unique challenge and provide a new solution for it.” - Travis Meteer 

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:00)
• Family background and childhood experience near livestock (06:26)
• Prescription agriculture (10:50)
• Listen, understand, and how learn from others (15:40)
• Small pasture Midwest production (18:28)
• Rotational grazing (22:41)
• Cornstock grazing and alternatives to feed beef cattle and get the value of it (28:36)
• Semi confinement, benefits and drawbacks (36:05)
• Opportunity for cover crops (44:00)
• The final questions (45:26)

Meet the guest: Travis Meteer 

Experience

• Current: Beef Extension Educator for University of Illinois Extension

Background

• M.Sc., Ruminant Nutrition (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
• B.Sc. Animal Sciences (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

The lack of water availability from the Ogallala Aquifer, particularly in the portion that goes down the Texas Panhandle and the southern part of New Mexico, has been leading to certain limitations for the beef production systems in the region. With that in mind, looking for forage alternatives that could thrive with lower water availability is one of the main research goals of Dr. Glenn Duff’s program, as he is searching for certain breeds of cattle with better adaptability for such an environment. In this episode, Dr. Duff explains some details of those two alternatives. Also, he goes into the topic of receiving cattle: from metaphylaxis, as well as the importance and implications of beef and dairy crosses along with their relation to liver abscesses, to other health issues. 

“There are a lot of things we can do – but not a lot of places doing calf research.” – Dr. Glenn Duff

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (00:55)
• The background of the invited speaker (03:26)
• Getting to know the area and place where Dr. Duff works (06:29)
• Alternative forages for water limitations (11:03)
• Heritage breeds and Criollo cattle in the fight against water limitations (13:24)
• Metaphylaxis in newly received calves (17:32)
• The risks associated with newly received calves (20:33)
• Nutritional strategies on arrival (25:44)
• Liver abscesses and their impacts (31:04)
• Dairy crosses and their implications for the beef industry (32:13)
• The health of dairy crosses (39:49)
• Final questions (45:55)

Meet the guest:

Dr. Glenn Duff

Experience

• Current: Professor/Superintendent at Clayton Livestock Research Center, New Mexico State University

Background

• Ph.D., Animal Nutrition (New Mexico State University)
• M.S., Animal Physiology (University of Arkansas)
• B.S., Animal Science and Dairy Science (Northwest Missouri State University)

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

We can only move forward as a strong industry when beef producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, students, professors, government officials, and everyone else involved in our production chain are connected and in constant communication. When it comes down to putting those pieces together, there are few people who have as much experience as Dr. Dan Thomson. He is an internationally recognized leader in animal welfare, beef cattle production, and cattle health management, having played a part, directly or otherwise, in the education of many of the professionals in our industry. In this episode, we are pleased to hear Dr. Thomson's insights about animal welfare education, his experience as the host of Doc Talk, and his excellent advice to our next generation of professionals.

“When we talk about sustainability, it's about more than saving the planet. It's about figuring out what we can do together to keep the industry moving forward and keep people and families in the business.” – Dr. Dan Thomson

What you'll learn:

Highlight (00:00)

Introduction (01:24)

Background (02:46)

Animal welfare education and advocacy (09:04)

Work on Doc Talk on RFD-TV (17:35)

Animal production consultation (27:24)

Experience with working with students (37:35)

Great advice to students (44:21)

Final questions (50:39)

Meet the guest:

Dr. Dan Thomson

Experience

• Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University
• Owner/Partner at PAC Veterinary and Research Services
• Founder and Owner of Doc Talk on RFD-TV
• Feedlock veterinarian

Background

• Ph.D., Ruminant Nutrition (Texas Tech University)
• M.Sc., Ruminant Nutrition (South Dakota State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Sciences and D.V.M. (Iowa State University)

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a complex of pathogens that presents several challenges to the beef industry – since there are viruses and bacteria involved in the development of the disease, all of which are triggered by stressors, it is commonly considered a multifactorial issue. In other words, it is a disease that “hits cattle when they are at their worst” and, therefore, its prevention and intervention are a tricky matter, as Dr. McGill herself states in this episode. She also mentions: the importance of timing when intervening; the role of vitamins A and D regarding the integrity of the immune function at the lung and gut level; the relevance of consolidating interdisciplinary groups for research purposes; and the development of future technologies, such as nanoparticle formulation.

“We know that stress, weather changes, and pretty much everything else that prompts the cattle to go outside their comfort zone tends to expose them to a higher risk of BRD.” – Dr. Jodi McGill

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (0:00)
• Introduction (1:00)
• Background (3:21)
• Understanding bovine respiratory disease (BRD) (05:20)
• Intervening and managing the risks of BRD (06:45)
• Researching the role of vitamin A in the immune system (10:57)
• Predicting BRD responses through pro-inflammatory cytokines (15:15)
• Conducting interdisciplinary work and groups (17: 15)
• Is inflammation a good or a bad thing? (19:54)
• Stimulating the innate immune system (22:00)
• The nanoparticle formulation (23:43)
• Getting ahead of the animal before sickness or treating the illness? (27:36)
• The role of vitamin C (30:42)
• The dairy cow and louder immune system (34:01)
• Final questions (37:05)

Meet the guest: Dr. Jodi McGill

Experience

• Current: Associate Professor at Iowa State University
• Past: Faculty Fellow at Kansas State University

Background

• Post-doc. (National Animal Disease Center, USDA)
• Ph.D., Immunology (University of Iowa)
• M.Sc., Pathology (University of Iowa)
• B.Sc., Microbiology (Iowa State University)

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM

Managing cattle health is crucial for feedlot production, once it can significantly impact the overall success of the business. In this episode, Dr. Mariana Guerra-Maupome emphasizes the relevance of integrating management software with the implementation of health protocols, individualized health programs, and cattle categorization. She also stresses the importance of continuously improving our comprehension and management of the bovine respiratory disease. Finally, she goes into advocating for the beef industry and educating its consumers about their products, a critical role. 

"We have treatment protocols that we design based on research – everything is going to be based on research.”

What you'll learn:

• Highlight (0:00)
• Introduction (0:54)
• Feedlot health management systems (3:34)
• Health and production intervention programs (4:59)
• Improvements in BRD over the last years (17:42)
• Advocacy for the beef industry and its importance (20:31)
• Advice to feedlot cattle owners (29:08)
• The final questions (30:32)

Meet the guest:

Dr. Mariana Guerra-Maupome

Experience

• Current: Professional Services Veterinarian for Feedlot Health Management Services
• Past: Research Assistant in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University

Background

• Ph.D. (Kansas State University)
• D.V.M. (UNAM, Mexico)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The Beef Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Bioverse

- DSM