PODCAST · education
Cattle Chat
by BCI Cattle Chat
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within the beef industry.
Episodes
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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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Managing Bred Heifers and Stretching Forage: Preparing for a Successful Calving Season
Sponsored by Elanco, with guest Dr. Frank White, this episode focuses on two critical topics for cow-calf producers: managing bred heifers and maximizing forage utilization during challenging grazing conditions. The discussion emphasizes that first-calf heifers are among the most nutritionally...
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Lessons from the Birthing Center: Calving, Education, and Inspiring Future Agricultural Leaders
Recorded live at the Kansas State Fair Birthing Center, this episode highlights the educational value of giving the public a firsthand look at animal agriculture and the birthing process. The hosts discuss how the birthing center has served as a popular attraction for decades, allowing visitors…
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Antibiotics, Antimicrobials & Recovery: New Insights in Beef Cattle Health
In this episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses post-treatment intervals for cattle treated for respiratory disease, featuring graduate research from our guest Katherine Shirley comparing three- and six-day intervals. The results suggest that allowing cattle more time to recover before...
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Setting Calves Up for Success: Early-Life Health, Vaccination, and Management
This episode is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and focuses on the importance of early calf health and how management decisions made before and shortly after birth can influence lifetime performance. The discussion emphasizes that calf success begins long before calving, with proper nutrition,...
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Estrus Intensity Matters: Using Heat Activity to Improve Reproductive Success
This episode is sponsored by Estrotect and features Dr. George Perry from Texas A&M AgriLife, who discusses how estrus intensity influences reproductive performance in beef cattle and how producers can use that information to improve breeding decisions. While many producers think of estrus as a...
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High Cattle Prices, Smart Investments, and Getting Started in the Cattle Business
This episode focuses on how producers can take advantage of strong cattle prices, both by improving existing operations and by helping the next generation enter the industry. The discussion begins with ideas for reinvesting profits into long-term improvements such as water systems, fencing…
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Maintaining Beef Demand and Building the Next Generation Workforce
This episode explores two important topics for the beef industry: long-term consumer demand for beef and strategies for workforce development. The discussion begins with a listener question about how changing cattle inventories, feed costs, and finishing weights could affect beef quality and...
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Finding Value in Every Class of Cattle: Records, Flexibility, and Management Decisions
This episode features Nebraska cattle producer Rylee Blomenkamp, who discusses how her family’s operation manages a diverse mix of cattle, including feeder calves, yearlings, bred cows, open cows, bulls, and other opportunistic purchases. A central theme is the importance of identifying value in...
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Research Frontiers and Pain Management: Improving Cattle Health Through Better Decisions
This episode features a discussion with several Beef Cattle Institute researchers who share updates on current projects aimed at improving cattle health, welfare, and production efficiency. Topics include new technologies for semen evaluation, investigations into feeding patterns associated with...
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BRD Around the World and the Economics of Creep Feeding
This episode features a discussion with guest Dr. Selwyn Headley from Brazil, who shares insights into bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and how it compares to cases seen in North America. The group notes that many of the same bacterial and viral pathogens are involved in both regions, including...
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Mineral Sources, Microbiomes, and Managing Cattle Health Beyond the Basics
This episode explores two important but often misunderstood topics in cattle production: mineral supplementation and the microbiome. The discussion begins with a listener question about whether the source of minerals in a supplement matters. The hosts explain that mineral bioavailability can vary...
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Separating Fact from Fiction: Evaluating New Technologies and Common Cattle Nutrition Myths
This episode explores how cattle producers can make informed decisions when considering new technologies, products, or services for their operations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of evaluating both costs and benefits, including upfront expenses, recurring fees, labor savings, and...
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Bigger Cattle, Bigger Questions: Feed Costs, Corn Demand, and Pasture Lease Strategies
This episode tackles two listener questions with significant implications for cattle producers. The first explores how increasing cattle carcass weights affect corn demand and feed efficiency. The discussion estimates that an average increase of 36 pounds in carcass weight requires roughly 257...
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Is Graduate School Worth It? Navigating Career Goals, Curiosity, and Lifelong Learning
This episode focuses on the decision to pursue graduate school and explores how advanced education can shape careers in animal agriculture and beyond. Guest Maddie Manke shares her journey from taking a gap year after high school to earning a PhD, explaining how a desire to understand the science...
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Heat Stress, Screwworm Awareness, and Making Summer Employees Successful
This episode covers three timely topics affecting livestock producers during the summer months. The discussion begins with strategies for preventing heat stress at livestock shows, where cattle face added challenges from transportation, unfamiliar environments, limited airflow, and changes in…
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Adding Value and Managing Grass: Practical Decisions in Cow-Calf Operations
This episode of Cattle Chat focuses on practical management strategies for improving profitability in cow-calf operations, driven largely by listener questions. A major topic centers on how to add value to cull cows, emphasizing that even though calf sales make up most revenue, cull cow income is...
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Summer Research and Herd Management: From Vitamin Stability to Confinement Strategies
Joined by guest Logan Thompson, this episode of BCI Cattle Chat covers a wide range of topics, beginning with updates on current cattle research projects underway during the summer. Researchers discuss ongoing work in areas such as semen evaluation technology, stocker cattle supplementation,...
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Understanding Neurologic Cases in Cattle: Diagnosis, Causes, and Prevention
This discussion focuses on how to recognize, evaluate, and manage neurologic (brain-related) cases in cattle. Common clinical signs include stumbling, circling, weakness, apparent blindness, head pressing, and paddling when animals are down, all of which indicate issues affecting the nervous...
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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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Building Better Cows: Smart Heifer Development from Day One
Joined by special guest Dr. Lee Jones from Boehringer Ingelheim, this episode focuses on effective heifer development as a foundation for long-term herd success, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right genetics and defining clear production goals. This conversation explores how…
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Liver Abscess Research and Cattle Market Risk Management
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the hosts discuss recent research on liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, including how diet, grain processing, and days on feed may influence their prevalence and economic impact. They explore new findings suggesting liver abscesses may not be caused solely by...
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After the Abstract: How does bovine leukosis affect cow-calf herds
In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discuss a 2026 study on the high prevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cow-calf operations, implications for cow reproduction, culling, and calf weight. The conversation concludes there is not…
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Theileria Diagnosis, Cow Size Economics, and Heifer Rebreeding Strategies
On this episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses how Theileria, a tick-borne parasite that destroys red blood cells, requires laboratory testing for confirmation and cannot be diagnosed reliably from visual signs alone. They emphasized that positive test results must be interpreted alongside...
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Million Downloads Episode
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the hosts celebrate reaching one million podcast downloads and reflect on memorable guests, listener interactions, and how the show has evolved since it began in 2018–2019. The discussion highlights popular listener question topics over the years, including...
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Coccidiosis induced Diarrhea, Growth Implants in Beef, Timing When Processing Calves
On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat the experts cover diarrhea caused by coccidiosis, emphasizing that it’s a common organism managed through reducing stress, maintaining clean and dry conditions, and using appropriate feed additives rather than trying to eliminate it entirely. The team also…
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Research Update: Larrison Hicks, Line Breeding, Nutritional Listener Questions
On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, Larrison Hicks gave a research update on his project about beef–dairy cross calves, focusing on how early-life management, such as milk-feeding methods and probiotics, may influence gut development and the higher incidence of liver abscesses in calf ranch...
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Calving Challenges, Vaccination Decisions, and Managing Liver Flukes in Cattle
On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the experts cover listener questions on calving difficulty, vaccination strategies, and liver fluke management. The team discusses that while malpresentation in calves can sometimes occur in clusters, it is more strongly linked to factors such as calf size,...
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Guest Cambree Schmaltz: CalfDex and Transporting Pregnant Cows
On this podcast episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team and guest, Cambree Schmaltz, discuss the CalfDex project, which aims to simplify record-keeping for cow-calf producers and help them use data more effectively for management and economic decisions. They also answer a listener’s question about…
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U.S. Beef Imports and Brucellosis
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses beef imports and brucellosis in the cattle industry. The experts explain that the U.S. imports lean beef to complement domestic production, especially for ground beef, while exporting other cuts, such as liver and tongue, helping balance…
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Cattlemen’s Day Questions
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team mixes listener questions with expert insights on cattle production and education. The team discusses strategies for growing a small herd, emphasizing clear goals, strong local relationships, and patience in a long-term market, while noting that tight...
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GLP-1 Use and Beef Dietary Guidelines
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, Abby Heidari, the director of nutrition for the Kansas Beef Council, discusses the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications and their effects on appetite, weight loss, and muscle maintenance. She explains that while these drugs help reduce food intake, maintaining...
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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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Sponsored by ESTROTECT: Estrus Expression, Synchronization, and Reproductive Success
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses estrus expression and synchronization strategies used in cattle breeding programs with guest Adrienne Lulay from Select Sires Cooperative. They explore how the intensity of estrus can reflect hormone levels and fertility, helping producers…
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Veterinary School Application Process and Simple Record Keeping Metrics
In this episode of Cattle Chat, the team discusses what it takes to get into veterinary school, including prerequisites, gaining diverse experience, standing out in the application process, and preparing for interviews. They also explore ways to encourage interest in rural and livestock…
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Bull Buying Decisions and Beef Tech Innovations
In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses what producers should consider when purchasing a bull, emphasizing fertility, structural soundness, EPD accuracy, and aligning genetics with herd goals. They highlight the importance of avoiding information overload by focusing on…
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Guest Dr. Christine Navarre, Liver Flukes, Emergency Preparedness
This episode of BCI Cattle Chat covers liver flukes and emergency preparedness in cattle operations with guest Dr. Christine Navarre. The experts discuss how liver flukes damage the liver, can contribute to sudden death, and may show up in feedlot cattle long after exposure in endemic regions.…
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Research Update: Liliana Rivas and Cow Efficiency
On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, graduate student Liliana Rivas updates us on her research about leaky guts in yearling calves. She conducted this by feeding the calves a restricted diet and measuring indigestible sugars in the bloodstream over 36 hours. The experts also discussed cow...
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Managing Body Conditioning in Cows, Cause and Management of Weak Calves
The experts discussed whether it is more costly to have thin or fat cows going into the calving season. Thin cows are generally more costly because they are at high risk of having calving issues. Determining when to be aggressive with supplementation is important when addressing thin cows. The…
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When to Start Treatment, Treatment Protocols, Antimicrobial Resistance
On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, the experts debate whether you should start treatment as soon as signs of the disease appear or if you should wait for the signs to develop to have a clear diagnosis. The ability to modify the therapeutic plan can be valuable, but it needs to be balanced…
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Epigenetics and Udder Quality
On this week’s BCI Cattle Chat episode, the experts answer a listener’s question comparing two genetically identical bulls raised in different environments. The group discusses whether early development and nutrition can influence fertility, longevity, or even the genetics passed on to offspring,...
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Dr. Dustin Pendell’s Trip to Taiwan, Fog Fever in Wyoming Cattle, Welfare Practices in Australia
On this week’s Cattle Chat episode, the experts answer a listener’s question that Dr. Todd Gunderson brought to the group from his recent trip to Wyoming. Listener Dr. Glenn Gamble asked the group’s opinion on how to combat Fog Fever. Dr. Dustin Pendell also shared with us about his trip to…
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Research Update: Katherine Shirley, When to Preg Check, Guest: Cameron Best, Australia vs U.S. Beef Production
In this episode of Cattle Chat, Dr. Brad White and the team welcome graduate student Katherine Shirley, who discusses her summer research on heat stress and cardiopulmonary issues in feedyard cattle. She explains how environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and hide color can influence...
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Guest: Dr. Stephan Hughes, KSU Resources, Bull Fertility
In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, Bob Weaber interviews Dr. Stephan Hughes, a veterinarian from South Africa, while on a trip. Hughes shares how he started listening to Cattle Chat and how beef production differs in South Africa. They also talk about the different tools Kansas State…
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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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Guest: Dr. Cassandra Olds, Theileria, Theileria Transmission, Winter Feeding Strategies
This episode of Cattle Chat features guest Dr. Cassandra Olds, an entomologist, who shares with the group about her research on Theileria, an emerging protozoan parasite in cattle. Dr. Olds explains that Theileria is tick‑borne but can also be spread by sucking lice, possibly stable flies…
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Guest Fred Gingrich, AVC, AABP, and Anaplasmosis
On Cattle Chat this week, Dr. Bob Larson, representing the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC), and guest Dr. Fred Gingrich, with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), discuss the work their organizations are doing. Anaplasmosis is also discussed, highlighting its...
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Evolution in the Feedlot Industry, Questioning Cow Calf Practices, Big Cows vs Small Cows on Pasture
In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the experts discuss the evolution in the feedlot industry. They debate how producers used to calculate cost based on feed efficiency. The team also questions different cow-calf practices. Lastly, they debate whether or not you should have bigger cows with...
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Caroline Wingert Research Update, Co-Mingling Bulls, Bull-to-Cow Ratio
This week on Cattle Chat, our guest Caroline Wingert shares her research on jobs in rural communities and the challenges that come with living in rural areas. The experts also dive into a listener’s question of co-mingling bulls, how to prevent fighting, and different housing strategies. Lastly,...
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Records or Plans, How to Implement a Plan, Saving Replacement Heifers
On Cattle Chat this week, the experts discuss whether or not you could be taking records, making a plan, or both when it comes to your breeding season. After the discussion, the team talks about implementing your plan. When making your plan, what should you be looking for when saving back...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cattle Chat have?
Cattle Chat currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cattle Chat about?
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within the beef industry.
How often does Cattle Chat release new episodes?
Cattle Chat has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Cattle Chat?
You can listen to Cattle Chat 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 Cattle Chat?
Cattle Chat is created and hosted by BCI Cattle Chat.
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