In this episode, Brad and Emily dive into one of the most pressing summertime challenges in cattle care: heat stress. As county fairs, field days, and Farmfest approach, the co-hosts reflect on their busy schedules and upcoming plans to finally record in person. The main discussion covers how heat affects both calves and adult cattle, including signs of stress, management strategies, and the role of hydration, nutrition, and cleanliness.

They share practical tips for reducing heat stress, such as increasing water availability, feeding at optimal times, cleaning equipment frequently to prevent bacterial growth, and improving ventilation. Emily emphasizes the value of evaporative cooling, while Brad discusses using sensor technology like SmaXtec rumen boluses to monitor cow behavior and internal temperatures.

Whether you're a dairy producer, 4-H family, or cattle enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights for keeping animals healthy and comfortable during extreme heat.

Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this episode, Emily and Brad reunite to dive into a hot topic on the beef-on-dairy circuit: Are today’s sky-high calf prices economically sustainable? After crisscrossing the country speaking with farmers and cattle buyers, Brad shares firsthand insights and jaw-dropping market figures — with beef-on-dairy calves selling for up to $1,600.

The duo discusses whether investing in calves at these prices can truly yield profit when factoring in feed, labor, and marketing constraints. Brad reviews recent research from Michigan State University suggesting producers may be overpaying by $40–$75 per head based on expected returns. Despite the volatility, beef-on-dairy is here to stay, now making up 15–20% of U.S. beef supply.

Key takeaway: Know your cost of production. It’s the foundation for making smart, profitable decisions in this fast-changing market.

Stay tuned for more workshops and research updates from the Minnesota Beef and Dairy Extension team.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this episode, Brad shares insights from recent dairy science meetings and dives deep into total serum protein (TSP) levels in calves—a key indicator of successful colostrum management and passive transfer of immunity. He reviews data from multiple studies, including work by Dave Casper in Illinois and a Midwest study on beef-on-dairy cross calves. The results show improvements in TSP levels over time, but highlight that a significant number of calves—especially male and crossbred calves—still arrive at calf ranches with low TSP and signs of poor health.

Brad also shares findings from University of Minnesota research, including a 20-year dataset from Waseca involving nearly 6,000 Holstein calves, showing correlations between TSP, growth rates, and calf survival. He questions the rigid cutoffs for TSP and emphasizes a more nuanced view based on outcomes like average daily gain and long-term milk production.

The episode wraps with details on two upcoming calf care workshops in Minnesota this summer (July 29 in Rochester and August 5 in Eden Valley) where farmers, consultants, and educators can learn about colostrum management, TSP testing, pain mitigation, and more.

Calf Care Workshop - Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Rochester, MN

Calf Care Workshop - Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Eden Valley, MN

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

Brad flies solo in this episode—literally and figuratively—to tackle a problem buzzing on every farmer’s mind around the 4th of July: flies. With heavy rains in the Upper Midwest fueling major fly outbreaks, Brad dives deep into why managing flies is essential for livestock health, productivity, and human comfort.

He covers the four main types of flies affecting livestock—stable flies, house flies, horn flies, and face flies—including their behaviors, lifecycles, preferred habitats, and the economic losses they cause. From foot-stomping stable flies in confinement to pinkeye-spreading face flies on pasture, Brad emphasizes the importance of identifying the fly species to choose effective control methods.

Management strategies discussed include manure and bedding management, fans, fly traps, fly predators, sprays, and even a horn fly vaccine being tested at the UMN research dairy. Brad also shares fascinating research on how coat color in cattle affects fly load, with black-coated animals attracting more flies than lighter-colored ones.

Whether you're dealing with flies in barns or on pasture, this episode breaks down how to reduce their impact on your operation—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this solo episode, Emily shares timely reminders about biosecurity as county fair and livestock show season ramps up across Minnesota. Drawing on her own experience showing dairy cattle in 4-H, she discusses the importance of protecting animals from disease before, during, and after exhibitions. Topics include bringing only healthy animals to shows, cleaning equipment beforehand, being mindful of potential disease exposure at the fairgrounds, and the value of quarantining animals upon return. Emily also gives a quick update on current H5 (avian influenza) testing requirements in Minnesota and encourages listeners to prioritize safety for the sake of their animals and operations. Whether you're new to showing or a seasoned exhibitor, this episode offers practical steps to keep your animals healthy this summer.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

🎉 Episode 300: Celebrating Five Years of The Moos Room 🎉

In this milestone episode, Emily and Brad reflect on five years and 300 episodes of The Moos Room, a podcast that began as a small idea in late 2019 and launched in April 2020. Born in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show quickly became a weekly staple—covering everything from beef and dairy production to farm safety and mental health.

The hosts celebrate:

• A loyal and growing global audience in 89 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, and even Zambia and Nepal.
• Highlights like Episode 84 (farm safety with Emily’s father) and Episode 189 (farm transition with Krishona Martinson), which became their most-listened-to episode.
• Winning a 2022 national award for audio communication from NACAA.
• Brad’s favorite episodes featuring his graduate students and debates like Holsteins vs. Jerseys.
• Fun memories—including Brad famously falling out of a chair during a recording.

They credit their success to the support of listeners, special guests, and a shared love for telling important stories in agriculture, both about animals and the people who care for them. The team promises even more episodes, fresh topics, and new guests in the next 300 episodes—and invites anyone in the industry to reach out and join the conversation.

Thank you for listening—and here’s to the next five years of The Moos Room! 🐄🎙️

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In Episode 299 of The Moos Room, Emily returns to the mic, reminding Brad—and the audience—that The Moos Room is a team effort, not just "The Bradley Show." The two catch up and share updates on their chaotic summer schedules in the world of Extension before diving into the topic of the week: pasture management in mid-June.

Brad gives a detailed look at what’s happening in Morris, where heavy rainfall (over five inches in the past month) has led to explosive pasture growth. With 315 cows now grazing—including the conventional herd—he’s doing everything he can to keep up with the grass. He shares his strategies for dealing with overgrown pastures, including increasing stocking density, rotating more quickly, and when mowing or even baling might be necessary.

They discuss the challenges of maintaining forage quality, the role of manure scores and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) as indicators of nutritional balance, and the complications posed by persistent rain—especially thistle outbreaks in organic systems where herbicide options are limited.

The episode closes with practical tips for producers facing similar pasture overgrowth issues: keep animals moving, don’t be afraid to mow, and have a flexible grazing plan. And of course, the excitement builds for Episode 300, coming next week!

Listeners are encouraged to email their thoughts (or rebuttals to Brad’s rain enthusiasm) to [email protected] and tune in for the big milestone ahead.

Grazing and pasture management for cattle

Managing perennial cool-season forage grasses in Minnesota

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this solo episode, Brad dives into the challenges of managing mastitis, especially during wet spring and summer conditions. He shares findings from ongoing University of Minnesota research on non-antibiotic treatments for mastitis, highlighting two promising alternatives: Ozolea-Mast, a corn oil-based intramammary product, and Optimum UterFlush, a botanical-based treatment studied in Colorado.

Brad discusses how these non-antibiotic tools have performed both in lactating cows with subclinical mastitis and as dry cow therapy. Notable results include a consistent ~30% reduction in somatic cell count in chronic cows and the potential economic benefits of avoiding milk and meat withdrawal. While the Colorado study didn’t show significant differences in udder health outcomes, Brad stresses the importance of continuing to evaluate these products as pressure increases to reduce antibiotic use on dairies.

Whether you're a producer looking to cut costs or a researcher interested in alternatives to antibiotics, this episode offers valuable insights into mastitis treatment innovation.

Ozolea-Mast

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this solo episode, Brad dives deep into Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis), a chronic intestinal illness affecting ruminants, with a particular focus on dairy cattle. Prompted by recent whole-herd milk ELISA testing at the University of Minnesota’s Morris dairy, Brad shares results, trends, and lessons learned from managing Johne’s over the years.

Key topics include:

• Clinical signs and long-term impact of Johne’s on milk production and cow longevity
• Interpretation of milk ELISA results and testing protocols
• Management decisions around culling, beef breeding, and calf-rearing practices
• Surprising trends in calf infection sources—including group housing and dam-rearing
• Insights from genetic studies showing heritability of Johne’s susceptibility
• Practical prevention strategies and the importance of annual testing

Whether you're dealing with Johne’s in your own herd or want to improve your disease prevention approach, this episode is packed with data, reflections, and takeaways to help guide on-farm decisions.

Johnes Disease - APHIS
MN DHIA Johnes Testing
DHIA Laboratories - Johnes Testing
Central Star Johnes Testing

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory 

In this episode, Brad shares a recent case study from the University of Minnesota's dairy research center, where a group of spring-born calves experienced widespread scours. He walks through the onset of symptoms, including diarrhea, depression, and reduced milk intake, primarily in calves on an automatic feeder. Diagnostic testing confirmed rotavirus A as the culprit, ruling out other common pathogens like salmonella, cryptosporidium, and coronavirus.

Brad explains the importance of prompt treatment with electrolytes and continued milk feeding, emphasizing that hydration—not antibiotics—is key to recovery from viral scours. He also discusses how CT values from lab results helped indicate viral load and severity. While no calves were lost, the outbreak highlighted the critical role of sanitation, consistency in protocols, and whole-system prevention strategies including vaccination and colostrum quality.

Listeners will gain practical tips on treating and preventing scours, especially from rotavirus, and hear an honest account of real-world challenges in calf health management.

Causes and prevention of dairy calf scours

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory