The Beef Podcast Show

Implants have been proven to be a cost-effective investment for enhancing cattle growth and efficiency. In this episode, Dr. Loy shares insights on the research he has conducted on implants and their implementation in cattle feedlots, impact, and regulations. Particularly, he elaborates on his findings regarding implant timing and energy levels to achieve optimal growth and marbling without compromising carcass quality. Additionally, he addresses the recent hike in feed prices and offers advice to producers on managing feed costs along with minimizing feeding and storage losses for improved efficiency.

“You can visually see the difference between pens of cattle that have been on feed for fifty or a hundred days – it's remarkable”. – Dr. Daniel Loy

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (1:23)
• Foundational graduate work (5:49)
• The history of implant research (10:08)
• Implants, their return to investment, and concerns on carcass quality (17:23)
• New regulation guidance and how to overcome it (23:07)
• Feed prices and challenges around it (32:25)
• Mentoring: impacting and being impacted (39:24)
• The final questions (47:11)

Meet the guest: Dr. Daniel Loy

Experience:

• Current: Professor at Iowa State University; Director at Iowa Beef Center

Background:

• Ph.D., Animal Industries/Nutrition (Penn State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Science (Western Illinois University)

Connect with the 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

Pursuing sustainability is a pressing global demand. However, as complex as it may be, innovative livestock production methods can significantly enhance sustainable practices. For example, we can strengthen the sustainability of beef cattle production by incorporating novel coproducts into diets and studying nitrogen metabolism. On the quest to make beef more sustainable and healthy, consumers and stakeholders can quantify the capacity of US beef production systems to upcycle protein. In this episode, Dr. Tryon Wickersham discusses his research on urea recycling and protein upcycling in cattle, along with protein supplementation for cattle that are consuming low-quality forage.

“There is a trend towards improving or increasing protein upcycling over time. A lot of that has been the result of a greater incorporation of byproducts into cattle feeding systems and less reliance on corn." - Dr. Tryon Wickersham

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:57)
• Protein upcycling in cattle production (3:49)
• The discoveries made along the research with protein co-products (9:02)
• Upcycling with different coproducts (13:31)
• Urea recycling: the differences between Bos indicus and Bos taurus (17:07)
• Low-quality forage research (24:17)
• Discussing sustainability with producers and consumers (27:34)
• The final questions (35:55)

Meet the guest: Dr. Tryon Wickersham

Experience:

• Current: Professor at Texas A&M University

Background:

• Ph.D., Ruminant Nutrition (Kansas State University)
• M.Sc., Ruminant Nutrition (Kansas State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Sciences (Texas A&M University)

Connect with the 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

Concerns have been raised regarding the disconnection between the sales ring and the commercial world – but, there is still some hope. In this episode, Dr. Dan Shike goes into the foundational purposes of judging programs and the way they have evolved into some kind of sport. However, he emphasizes how these programs can play a pivotal role towards the development of future livestock professionals – from developing soft skills to providing opportunities to young people interested in livestock. That’s because communication and decision making can bridge the disconnection between the sales ring and the commercial world.

“The most valuable piece of information we can provide breed associations is feed intake, because then they can incorporate that into a multi-trait selection tool – which already has growth, carcass, maternal reproduction, longevity traits, for example – to really determine what is most profitable for the operation.” – Dr. Dan Shike

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (1:04)
• Transitioning into a faculty position (06:15)
• Foundational objectives of judging programs (09:44)
• Developing soft skills from judging programs (10:01)
• The show ring vs. the commercial world (17:10)
• Judging programs, the evolution of a sport (21:55)
• Concern about the show ring and equal opportunities (25:58)
• Roles in breed industry and breed associations (29:23)
• Objectives, collecting data and building a future (34:25)
• Insights on feed intake and feed efficiency (43:24)
• Current research (48:01)
• Final questions (57:08)

Meet the guest: Dr. Dan Shike

Experience:

• Current: Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois

Background:

• Ph.D., Ruminant Nutrition (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• M.Sc., Ruminant Nutrition (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• B.S., Animal Sciences (Kansas State University)

Connect with the 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

The US beef industry has been shifting towards larger, consolidated operations that are more automated, technological, and have a growing number of feedlots to provide grain-based diets for fattening cattle. Additionally, sustainability concerns have prompted an increased focus on improving animal living conditions and reducing environmental impacts. As a result of those changes, the beef industry is now more efficient and productive, as well as ethically and environmentally concerned than ever. In this episode, Dr. John Wagner discusses his experiences accompanying and implementing these changes, specifically as a beef nutritionist, and talks about the way the beef industry is different from the past.

“We've always had a mindset aimed towards sustainability and have always been concerned about maximizing outputs and minimizing inputs." - Dr. John Wagner

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (1:03)
• Management of winter storms for producers (10:12)
• Reflections on returning to a University (17:48)
• Nutritional aspects for feeding cattle (20:25)
• Sustainability initiatives on beef production (28:59)
• Meta analysis (32:29)
• Differences between the past and the modern steer (38:29)
• Personal plans and final thoughts (43:24)
• 3 final questions (46:21)

Meet the guest: Dr. John Wagner

Experience:

• Current: Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at Colorado State University
• Past: General Manager at Continental Beef Research, in Lamar Colorado; Extension Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at South Dakota State University

Background:

• Ph.D., Animal Nutrition (Oklahoma State University)
• M.Sc., Animal Science (Oklahoma State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Husbandry (Michigan State University)

Connect with the 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

In the breeding of beef cattle, animals with desirable traits are selected and bred to produce offspring with improved meat-producing qualities. This process involves identifying the characteristics which are needed for meat production, such as growth rate and muscle development, and selecting the animals that exhibit these characteristics. Additionally, a good breeding program often decides which animals are to mate with each other based on their weight, feed efficiency, and genetic information. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Bormann discusses beef cattle breeding, the value of crossbreeding, and the importance of collecting data to ensure the whole process is successful. She also discusses her experiences working in programs like 4-H and how they have helped her engage young people in agriculture.

“As we don’t want to chase a single trait, we can design an index that integrates these sustainability traits with their appropriate economic values. Thereby ensuring that we do not lose the wonderful progress that we’ve made over the years, and that we are optimizing that selection process." - Dr. Jennifer Bormann

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (1:10)
• 4-H and FFA programs (6:17)
• Engaging young students with no ag background (13:38)
• The path till the genetics classes (20:28)
• The value of cross-breeding (22:25)
• Selecting to improve the beef industry (28:37)
• Improving our methods of data collection (33:52)
• Using data for selection choices in the future (40:50)
• Apps and other tools for data collection (46:28)
• Three final questions (48:03)

Meet the guest: Dr. Jennifer Bormann

Experience:

• Current: Assistant Dean for Academic Programs at Kansas State University
• Past: Professor of Animal Science at Kansas State University

Background:

• Ph.D., Animal Breeding and Genetics (Iowa State University)
• M.Sc., Animal Sciences (Oklahoma State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Sciences (Iowa State University)

Connect with the 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

A successful breeding program depends on understanding the onset of pregnancy in beef herds. Monitoring heat cycles, observing the right timing for insemination, and identifying/addressing fertility problems are all parts of this process. Artificial Insemination (AI), for example, can increase pregnancy rates and improve genetic progress in beef herds. Indeed, the beef industry has been using reproductive technologies at an increasing rate, such as in vitro fertilization and genomic selection. In this episode, Dr. Cliff Lamb discusses how these technologies can improve breeding programs, make them more efficient and accurate, and thus, improve genetics and herd performance.

“We utilize embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization. Those technologies are continuously evolving and may have a bigger role in the future, rather than just the utilization in synchronization for AI." - Dr. Cliff Lamb

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:30)
• The future of applied reproduction in beef (8:22)
• Pregnancy rates in beef cattle (13:24)
• Possible reasons for embryonic losses (16:37)
• Doppler ultrasound technique (27:43)
• Zinc Sparks (29:52)
• In vitro fertilization (32:20)
• The use of beef semen and, possibly, beef embryos in dairy cows (35:35)
• Sexed semen (37:36)
• Ovulation: humans and cows (43:02)
• Final thoughts (45:36)
• 3 final questions (50:16)

Meet the guest: Dr. Cliff Lamb

Experience:

• Current: Director at Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• Past: Head of Department at Texas A&M Department of Animal Science; Assistant Director and Professor at the University of Florida - NFREC; Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota.

Background:

• Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology (Kansas State University)
• M.Sc., Reproductive Physiology (Kansas State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Sciences (Middle Tennessee State University)

Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The combination of teaching, research, and extension makes the beef industry more efficient, profitable, and sustainable. That is because those three pillars provide farmers, ranchers, and students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed – and take the industry with them. In this episode, Dr. Karl Hoppe discusses his experience working with beef production as a professor, researcher, and extensionist, and the way that can impact both the industry itself and society.

“Sometimes, you may not realize how much an organized academic environment of research, teaching, and extension work helps ensure food for our population – but it does." - Dr. Karl Hoppe

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:30)
• The way into beef production (4:02)
• Attending grad school and working full-time: challenges and opportunities (6:19)
• Extension work (8:50)
• SARE program and other insights (11:49)
• Research extension centers (19:46)
• How do we make an impact in our careers? (25:29)
• New ideas in the beef industry and their implementation in North Dakota (29:16)
• Cattle comfort and performance in the cold winter (32:53)
• Education of students of where their food comes from (38:23)
• Feedlot school (39:57)
• Three final questions (44:55)

Meet the guest: Dr. Karl Hoppe

Experience:

• Current: Extension Livestock Specialist (NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center)

Background:

• Ph.D.; Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition (South Dakota State University)
• M.Sc.; Animal Science, Reproductive Physiology (South Dakota State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Science (South Dakota State University)

Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

From direct-to-consumer beef business to cow-calf operations, Dr. Ryan Rhoades gives us an overview of the steps he took to succeed in the beef business, the decisions he made to grow his business, and the downsides he had to handle along the way. In addition, he shares all the knowledge about ranching he has obtained over the years and the challenges that producers face – in other words, some key points to which we should pay attention if we want to make a profit.

“They have it all written down: it’s just a matter of taking it, organizing it, and turning it into a process”. - Dr. Ryan Rhoades

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:35)
• Direct-to-consumer beef business (3:57)
• System-based ranching (16:32)
• Colorado Range analysis and research (20:37)
• Outcomes of ranching analyses and needs (23:08)
• The biggest challenges of cow-calf producers (31:04)
• How to maintain farms and ranches across generations (41:56)
• Final questions (48:17)

Meet the guest: Dr. Ryan Rhoades

Experience:

• Current: Associate Professor and Beef Extension Specialist at Colorado State University
• Past: Faculty member at the King Ranch ® Institute for Ranch Management

Background:

• Ph.D., Beef Cattle Production (Texas A&M University)

Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The US cattle production is a complex multi-segment industry that counts with the participation of several parties, from the time the cattle are weaned to the time they are slaughtered. That is what is under the spotlight in this episode, in which Dr. David Lalman discusses the beef cattle industry – especially the stocker cattle segment. Additionally, he discusses research on the nutritional aspects of beef production, beef cattle grazing, genetic-environmental interactions in beef production systems, the digestibility of various diets for cattle, the flexibility and profitability of the stocker industry, and methods for increasing supplementation levels and managing cattle.

“The industry has progressed tremendously over the last 20-25 years in terms of measuring efficiency in confined cattle that are consuming a more energy-dense diet, that is, with more grain and less forage." - Dr. David Lalman

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:40)
• Resources for research and extension interests (3:54)
• Is a Ph.D. the right path for you? (7:17)
• Finding compelling answers for interesting questions (10:57)
• Improving the sustainability of beef production (14:46)
• Research on feed efficiency (23:50)
• Opportunities for stocker cattle (30:18)
• Challenges beef producers are facing right now (39:40)
• Three final questions (50:30)

Meet the guest: Dr. David Lalman

Experience:

• Current: Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at Oklahoma State University

Background:

• Ph.D.; Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, Reproduction (University of Missouri-Columbia)
• M.Sc.; Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, Reproduction (Montana State University-Bozeman)
• B.S., Animal Science and Business (Kansas State University)

Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

The combination of high costs for pasture and drought conditions in Nebraska have led producers to bring cows into confinement, at least during a certain period of the year. However, that kind of management has some consequences, such as micronutrient deficiencies and disorders – observed as vitamin A clinical and subclinical signs, grass tetany, and nitrate toxicity. In this episode, Dr. Mary Drewnoski explains some of the most recent research conducted on what producers have been observing on their farms. The importance of dam nutrition in late gestation for providing sufficient amounts of vitamin A to calves, recommendations of bunk space and creep feeding area for calves, antagonisms of micronutrients in coproducts and alfalfa hay, and nitrate threshold are some of the topics that are mentioned in this episode – in other words, lots of answers to practical questions.

“I kind of want to do what those extension agents are doing – I just love the fact that they have the opportunity to learn all of these things and then share their knowledge to help producers and others.” – Dr. Mary Drewnoski

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (0:35)
• The invited speaker’s background (2:45)
• Vitamin A deficiency (12:15)
• Research conducted on vitamin A deficiency (17:47)
• Important findings and conclusions of the research (20:28)
• Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in calves (24:14)
• How drought affects vitamin A levels – important considerations (25:40)
• Diet or injections to correct vitamin A deficiencies? (27:57)
• Confinement in Nebraska and consequences for the cows (32:02)
• Antagonistic pressure of high sulfur coproducts (37:53)
• Nitrate toxicity (42:59)
• Vitamin A final conclusions (52:42)
• Final questions (56:50)

Meet the guest: Dr. Mary Drewnoski

Experience:

• Current: Ruminant Nutritionist and Beef Extension Specialist (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Background:

• Postdoctoral Researcher (Iowa State University)
• Ph.D., Animal Science (North Carolina State University)
• M.Sc., Animal Science (North Carolina State University)
• B.S., Ag and Natural Resources (Berea College)

Connect with the guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.