PODCAST · education
Bovine Science with BCI
by BCI Cattle Chat
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within cattle health, nutrition, reproduction, and science. New episodes of Bovine Science with BCI are posted each Monday.
Episodes
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Can More Vitamin A for Cows Improve Calf Health? The Challenge of Boosting Vitamin A Through Colostrum
This episode examines whether feeding additional vitamin A to cows before calving can improve the vitamin A status of their calves. Reviewing two dairy research studies, the hosts explore how late-gestation supplementation affects vitamin A levels in colostrum, milk, and newborn calves. In the...
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Learning Agriculture at the State Fair: From Calving Cows to Inspiring Future Veterinarians
Recorded live at the Kansas State Fair birthing center, this episode highlights the educational value of exposing the public to livestock production and animal health. The hosts discuss how the birthing center allows visitors to observe the calving process firsthand while learning about normal...
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Can Bull Behavior Predict Breeding Success? Using Technology to Identify Top Sires
This episode examines a 2026 study that explored whether pre-breeding behavior can predict which bulls will sire the most calves in multi-sire breeding pastures. Researchers fitted bulls with collars containing accelerometers and proximity sensors to objectively measure activity levels and social...
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Vitamin A Before Calving: Why Hay Quality Matters More Than Supplements Alone
This episode explores how vitamin A nutrition in late-gestation cows affects both maternal health and the vitamin A status of newborn calves. The discussion builds on previous conversations about calf vitamin A deficiencies, emphasizing that colostrum is the primary source of vitamin A for…
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When Fly Spray Turns Toxic: A Costly Insecticide Mixing Mistake
This case study examines a situation where a producer attempted to control a heavy fly burden by spraying cattle with a topical insecticide, only to have several cows develop severe toxic signs within hours. Affected animals became recumbent, excessively salivated, developed diarrhea, experienced...
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How Heritable Is Fertility in Beef Cattle?
In this episode of Bovine Science, we examine a 2024 Journal of Animal Science study that used hundreds of thousands of cattle records to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on fertility in beef cattle. The study evaluated traits including calving date, calving interval…
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A New Approach to Mycoplasma Control: Evaluating a Modified-Live Vaccine in Young Calves
This episode reviews a 2026 study investigating whether a modified-live Mycoplasma bovis vaccine can help protect young calves from one of the most frustrating respiratory disease pathogens in the cattle industry. The researchers conducted a controlled challenge trial in neonatal calves…
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Solving the Toxicology Mystery: A Systematic Approach to Vague Cattle Health Problems
This episode focuses on some of the most challenging cases veterinarians encounter: cattle with vague signs such as weight loss, poor condition, or an unexplained death where no obvious cause is apparent. Dr. Scott Fritz explains that these situations are often far more difficult than classic…
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Do Vaccines Affect Bull Fertility? Evaluating Breeding Soundness After Modified Live and Killed Vaccines
This episode examines a 2025 study that investigated whether modified-live or killed viral vaccines influence bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) results. The research addressed a common practical question among producers and veterinarians who are concerned that vaccination before breeding season...
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Rethinking Vitamin A in Beef Cattle: Why Calves May Be Deficient Despite Green Grass
This episode explores the role of vitamin A in beef cow-calf systems and examines why some calves develop low vitamin A levels and respiratory disease even while grazing alongside cows on green pasture. The discussion highlights that vitamin A nutrition is more complex than simply having access…
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Can Coronavirus Vaccination Reduce Pre-Weaning Respiratory Disease in Beef Calves?
This episode reviews a 2026 Canadian study that evaluated whether vaccinating beef calves against bovine coronavirus could reduce pre-weaning respiratory disease in a commercial cow-calf herd with a history of respiratory problems. The researchers compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves…
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Can Coronavirus Vaccination Reduce Pre-Weaning Respiratory Disease in Beef Calves?
This episode reviews a 2026 Canadian study that evaluated whether vaccinating beef calves against bovine coronavirus could reduce pre-weaning respiratory disease in a commercial cow-calf herd with a history of respiratory problems. The researchers compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves…
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A Deadly Holding Pen: Poisoning Causes Sudden Loss of 14 Heifers
This case study examines a tragic incident in which 14 open heifers died within hours of being separated from a larger group following pregnancy testing. The heifers had been placed in a familiar holding pasture with a functioning water source and secure fencing, leading managers to initially...
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The Mystery Eye Disease Outbreak: Investigating a Point-Source Event in Stocker Cattle
This case study follows the investigation of a puzzling eye disease outbreak affecting approximately 10% of a group of 1,200 stocker cattle shortly after processing and placement on pasture. The affected animals developed severe eye lesions, including corneal cloudiness, swollen eyelids, redness,...
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Strategic Heifer Development: Can Stair-Step Nutrition Improve Puberty Rates and Reduce Feed Costs?
This episode examines a study evaluating different nutritional strategies for developing replacement heifers and their impact on puberty attainment. Researchers compared traditional low-gain and high-gain feeding programs with two “stair-step” nutritional approaches that alternated periods of...
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More Than Stocking Density: How Pen Size Influences Puberty in Replacement Heifers
This episode examines a study investigating whether the physical size of dry lot pens affects the development of replacement heifers, even when animal density remains the same. Researchers compared heifers housed in a standard-sized dry lot, a larger dry lot with the same space per animal, and a...
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A Deadly Feed Mixing Mistake: Investigating Sudden Cattle Deaths in a Dry Lot
This case study examines a sudden and devastating loss in which five cows and two calves died shortly after being moved to a dry lot following the calving season. The affected group consisted of only six cow-calf pairs that had been separated because they were open or had calved late, making the...
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Written Grazing Plans and Profitability: What Drives Adoption on Cow-Calf Operations?
This episode examines research exploring why some cow-calf producers adopt written grazing management plans while others do not. The study was motivated in part by sustainability goals aimed at improving grazing land management, soil health, water infiltration, and drought resilience through more...
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Heifer Selection for Profit: Why Hybrid Vigor, Longevity, and Efficiency Matter
This discussion examines a research study focused on improving long-term profitability in cow-calf operations through better heifer selection. The study used economic modeling and field data to evaluate three key factors: feed efficiency, longevity, and heterosis (hybrid vigor). Results showed…
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Saline vs. PBS: A Practical Test of Sample Collection Methods in Cattle Diagnostics
This episode explores a research study evaluating whether sterile saline can effectively replace phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for collecting samples used in Tritrichomonas PCR testing. The discussion highlights a non-inferiority trial design, which differs from traditional statistical…
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Systems Thinking in Beef Production: Solving Problems Beyond the Individual Animal
This discussion explores the concept of systems thinking in beef cattle production and how it expands beyond traditional population medicine approaches. Systems thinking focuses on understanding how multiple interconnected factors—such as nutrition, environment, disease exposure, and management...
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Deadly Dehydration: How a Simple Gate Closure Led to Mass Cattle Loss
This case study from a bovine science discussion examines a sudden and alarming incident in which 12 cows and 2 calves died within 12 hours of routine pre-weaning processing. Initially, the deaths raised concerns about vaccine reactions, toxic exposure, or handling stress, but the pattern of...
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Industry Changes Coming Down The Line
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the hosts explore what the future may hold for the beef industry, discussing trends in cattle size, production inputs, and market prices. They examine the realities of cow-herd expansion and consider how policy decisions could influence cattle production in the...
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After the Abstract: Bovine Leukemia Virus and Beef Cow Performance
This episode of After the Abstract on Bovine Science with BCI reviews a 2026 study examining bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in cow-calf herds and its potential effects on reproduction, culling risk, and calf weaning weights. The hosts discuss findings showing that although BLV prevalence was very…
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Diving into Diets: Does More Protein Improve Feedlot Performance
In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster discuss a 2026 study examining whether lower-protein finishing diets can improve performance in long-fed feedlot steers. The researchers compared industry-standard 13.5% crude protein diets to...
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Tox Talk: Japanese Yew Toxicity
In this episode of Tox Talk on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where a group of cow-calf pairs was turned out onto pasture, and several adult cows died suddenly while calves remained unaffected, pointing away from infectious disease. With no lesions…
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Tox Talk: Lantana Toxicity Case
In this episode of Tox Talk with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz walk through a challenging case where 75 cows were turned into a new pasture and left unchecked for two weeks, resulting in 22 deaths. The surviving cattle showed jaundice and severe skin damage linked to secondary...
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After the Abstract: Pregnancy Loss in Crossbred Beef Cows
On this episode of After the Abstract on Bovine Science with BCI reviews a recent study on pregnancy loss in crossbred beef cows, focusing on factors that influence whether pregnancies are maintained after conception. The vets highlight that estrus expression at the time of artificial…
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Diving into Diets: Fertilization vs. Supplementation in Grazing Cattle
In this episode of Diving into Diets on Bovine Science, Dr.Brad White and Dr. Phillip Lancaster discuss a 17-year study comparing fertilizing pasture versus supplementing cattle on smooth bromegrass and found that supplementation led to higher daily gains and greater gain per acre than either...
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Tox Talk: Lead Poisoning in Young Calves
In this episode of Tox Talk on Bovine Science, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where multiple two-month-old calves in a dry lot died with minimal clinical signs. Initial differentials included infectious disease, nutritional issues, and ryegrass staggers, but necropsy and…
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Herd Health: Bull Soundness Exam
In this episode of Herd Health on Bovine Science, the experts discuss a recent study on factors associated with bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) failure. The veterinarians explain that both intrinsic factors, such as age and prior failure, and extrinsic factors, such as season and environmental...
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After the Abstract: Methylene Blue Withdrawal in Cattle
In this episode of BCI After the Abstract, the veterinarians explore a pharmacokinetic study on the use of methylene blue in cattle to determine safe withdrawal periods after treatment. The experts walk through how researchers tracked drug levels in blood, milk, and tissues to estimate when...
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Diving into Diets: Organic vs. Inorganic Minerals in Beef Cattle
In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, the experts discuss a 2025 meta-analysis comparing organic and inorganic trace mineral supplementation in beef cattle during preconditioning and feedlot receiving. They explain the biological differences between mineral sources and...
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Research Update: Maddie Mancke and Scours Management
In this week’s episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses research on reducing heat stress in feedlot cattle and best practices for managing calf scours. Guest Maddie Mancke, a PhD candidate, explains her study comparing morning feeding with nighttime feeding to see whether shifting...
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After the Abstract: Managing Johne’s Disease in Beef Herds
This episode of After the Abstract reviews a 2025 study on managing Johne’s disease in beef cattle using different testing and culling strategies in a modeled 300-cow herd. The results showed that testing cows every six months reduced disease prevalence the most, but was the least profitable...
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Herd Health: Modified Live Vaccines at Synchronization
In this episode of Herd Health, the experts review a 2025 study evaluating whether modified live virus (MLV) vaccines can be given at the time of CIDR placement for timed AI in beef cows. In previously vaccinated, multiparous cows about 80 days postpartum, administering an MLV vaccine at...
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Tox Talk: Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle
On this episode of Tox Talk, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where eight bred cows were moved into a barn ahead of a winter storm and were found dead the next morning. While initial concerns focused on the barn environment, testing revealed the cause was acute nitrate poisoning...
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Diving into Diets: Phosphorus and Calcium in Lactating Beef Cows
In this episode of Diving into Diets, the discussion examines how different phosphorus and calcium diets affect phosphorus retention, milk composition, calf growth, and bone status in beef cattle. While cows on lower-phosphorus diets maintained milk production and calf growth in the short term,...
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Herd Health: Synchronization Strategies for Heifers and Cows
This episode of Herd Health explores how cattle producers and veterinarians can choose the most effective estrus synchronization and fixed-time AI protocols for heifers and cows. Dr. Bob Larson explains that there is no single “best” protocol. Instead, the right choice depends on factors such as...
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After the Abstract: Predicting Bovine Respiratory Disease with Water Intake
In this episode of About the Abstract, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discussed a study that tested whether water intake can predict bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The study’s main finding was that water intake decreased 1–2 days before BRD treatment or diagnosis. The study also found...
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Diving into Diets: Volatile Fatty Acids
On Dividing into Diets, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster explore how a ruminant’s diet influences the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, created through the fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins in the rumen. They explain that…
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Herd Health: Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Heifers vs. Cows
On today’s episode of Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss how to choose the best synchronization protocol for artificial insemination in cattle. They explain the differences between protocols for heifers and cows, including timing, hormone use, and management considerations.…
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Herd Health: Heifer Selection Strategies
On Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss a 2025 study in the Canadian Journal of Animal Science on factors influencing heifer replacement and cow-calf profitability. The study focused on cow feed efficiency, longevity, heterosis, and lifetime productivity. Key findings include…
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About the Abstract: Bovine Coronavirus
Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discuss a study on bovine coronavirus and its role in respiratory disease in cattle. The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, used a challenge model with 15 challenge calves and six control calves. Results showed higher viral shedding in...
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Diving into Diets: Grazing Behavior
On this week’s episode of Diving into Diets Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster discuss a 2025 study on grazing behavior in cattle, focusing on factors like age, size, hide color, and forage quality. The study tracked 40 cows using GPS collars over three years, finding that older cows…
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Herd Health: Passive Transfer
Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss the failure of passive transfer in beef herds, highlighting differences from dairy cattle. Risk factors included calves born to heifers, twins, and assisted births. Higher body condition scores in cows also correlated with lower IgG levels. The study...
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About the Abstract: Antimicrobial Metaphylaxis Study
In About the Abstract, the experts discuss a study by Cordial and Carrie (2024) in the Journal of Animal Science, which compared the impact of metaphylaxis with Tulathromycin versus saline on high-risk beef stocker calves over 42 days. The study found that calves treated with Tulathromycin had...
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Guest Dr. Cassandra Olds: What is Theileria, How is Theileria Transmitted, Heifer Development
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, guest Dr. Cassandra Olds continues the discussion of Theileria, a tick- and fly-borne parasite affecting U.S. cattle herds. The team explains how it spreads from the East Coast westward, causes anemia-like symptoms, and persists for life in infected animals.…
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Tox Talk: Sudden Death in Fall-Calving Herd
In this Tox Talk episode, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz review a case involving six dead calves out of 38 fall-calving cow–calf pairs on pasture. The producer had not been checking the herd frequently, making the exact timeline of deaths unclear. With at least one calf estimated to have been...
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Herd Health: Diagnosing an Aborted Fetus
Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss a case where a client found an aborted fetus in their herd. Dr. Larson suggests identifying the aborting animal, collecting samples from the fetus, including the placenta, lung, liver, and brain, and holding them for further analysis. He emphasizes the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within cattle health, nutrition, reproduction, and science. New episodes of Bovine Science with BCI are posted each Monday.
HOSTED BY
BCI Cattle Chat
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How many episodes does Bovine Science with BCI have?
Bovine Science with BCI currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Bovine Science with BCI about?
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within cattle health, nutrition, reproduction, and science. New episodes of Bovine Science with BCI are posted each Monday.
How often does Bovine Science with BCI release new episodes?
Bovine Science with BCI has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Bovine Science with BCI on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Bovine Science with BCI?
Bovine Science with BCI is created and hosted by BCI Cattle Chat.
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