369: The Damage Wildfires Are Doing to Your Cattle with Dr. Juliana Ranches

Wildfires don't just threaten fences and pasture but they can have lasting impacts on cattle health, performance, and profitability long after the flames are gone.In this episode of the Cattle USA Daily Podcast, Lauren sits down with Dr. Juliana Ranches, Assistant Professor and Beef Extension Specialist at Oregon State University, to discuss groundbreaking research on how wildfire smoke affects cattle. Dr. Ranches explains what happens inside an animal's body during smoke exposure, why calves may gain less weight, and the practical steps producers can take before, during, and after wildfire season. The conversation also explores how virtual fencing is becoming an unexpected tool for wildfire preparedness and why proactive planning could save both cattle and livelihoods.Connect with Dr. Ranches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-ranches-72514a4a/Dr. Juliana Ranches: https://anrs.oregonstate.edu/users/juliana-ranchesResearch: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/how-protect-pets-livestock-wildfire-smokeCattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_shareFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/cattleusa-drive-premium-daily-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YWdncwFNXt0EmdzFy5cJJBp84J9gCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Key Takeaways:Smoke exposure triggers an immune response and elevated stress hormones, diverting energy away from growth and productionCattle exposed to smoke eat less, spend less time at feed and water, and may experience slower weight gainsReducing additional stressors like weaning, hauling, and vaccinations during smoke events can help minimize impactsEvery ranch should have a written wildfire emergency plan before fire season beginsVirtual fencing is emerging as a valuable tool for locating cattle and improving evacuation efforts during wildfiresTechnology and research continue to provide producers with new tools to improve resilience during wildfire season00:00 – Meet Dr. Juliana Ranches and the growing research on wildfire smoke in cattle03:08 – What wildfire smoke is doing to cattle health, stress levels, feed intake, and weight gain10:56 – Practical management strategies to reduce stress and protect cattle during wildfire season14:53 – How virtual fencing is changing wildfire preparedness and emergency cattle management20:33 – Where producers should invest today to build more resilient cattle operations23:58 – What's next in cattle research: methane, carbon markets, and the future of ranch technologywildfires, wildfire smoke, wildfire season, cattle, beef cattle, cattle health, wildfire effects on cattle, smoke inhalation in cattle, cattle stress, heat stress, cattle performance, calf weight gain, cattle nutrition, ranch management, wildfire preparedness, wildfire prevention, ranch emergency planning, livestock evacuation, livestock disaster preparedness, wildfire recovery, cattle producers, ranchers, grazing management, regenerative grazing, rangeland management, rotational grazing, virtual fencing, Oregon State University, Dr. Juliana Ranches, Lauren Moylan, beef industry, cattle research, livestock research, animal welfare, immune response in cattle, cortisol in cattle, forage management, drought,public lands grazing, wildfire mitigation, wildfire resilience, agriculture podcast, beef production, livestock management