PODCAST · science
The Moos Room™
by University of Minnesota Extension
Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.
Episodes
-
Episode 369 - Troubleshooting Calf Health: What the Experts See on Farms - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Are the basics of calf management getting overlooked? Fresh from dairy research meetings in Florida, Brad explores a North American survey led by Penn State’s Melissa Cantor examining the management challenges calf health professionals encounter on dairy farms. Brad discusses how low milk...
-
Episode 368 - Does a Second Colostrum Feeding Make a Difference? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Does a second colostrum feeding give newborn calves an extra boost? In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad explores University of Minnesota research involving 150 dairy and beef-on-dairy calves that examined how a second colostrum meal—and feeding by bottle versus tube—affected immunity, health,...
-
Episode 367 - HYAL1: A Hidden Genetic Defect Affecting Holstein Longevity - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Fresh from World Dairy Expo, Brad Heins discusses the newly identified HYAL1 mutation in Holstein cattle and its implications for cow health, longevity, and farm profitability. Research in Switzerland and France links this recessive variant to swollen hocks, joint fluid buildup, impaired…
more -
Episode 366 - Virtual Fencing for Dairy Cattle: Lessons from the Pasture - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Virtual fencing is drawing plenty of questions from grazing dairy and beef producers. In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares what the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center learned from using NoFence collars with heifers during the summer grazing season....
-
Episode 365 - Serum Protein, Calf Survival, and Economic Value - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad begins with an update from the WCROC dairy, where corn silage harvest is complete, fall calving is underway, and new Angus and beef-on-dairy calves are arriving. The episode then examines a six-year study of approximately 1,300 Holstein bull calves purchased through Wisconsin livestock...
-
Episode 364 - Early calf socialization may deliver long-term benefits - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Early calf socialization may deliver long-term benefits Can housing calves together during their first weeks of life affect how they perform as cows? This episode examines University of Florida research comparing individually housed, pair-housed and group-housed calves through their first...
-
Episode 363 - What Can AI Tell You About Your Dairy? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Can AI turn mountains of dairy data into practical management insights? This episode explores how tools like ChatGPT can analyze bulk tank records, DHI reports, and milking-parlor data. Using examples from conventional and organic herds, we discuss how AI can reveal production and milk-quality...
-
Episode 362 - Age at First Calving: Why 22 to 23 Months Pays - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
What is the ideal age at first calving for Holstein heifers? Brad examines a Zoetis study of nearly 130,000 cows from 74 dairy herds. Although heifers calving at 26 months produced slightly more projected first-lactation milk, those calving around 23 months produced more cumulative milk through…
more -
Episode 361 - Why Routine Hoof Trimming Pays: Preventing Lameness in Dairy Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Lameness can quietly reduce milk production, cow welfare, and dairy farm profitability. In this episode of The Moos Room, we examine how a difficult, wet spring prompted our dairy to make routine hoof trimming a priority for both its grazing and confinement herds. Since 2019, every cow—including...
-
Episode 360 - Working With the Dairy Cow’s Biological Clock - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
After a busy week showing dairy cattle at the county fair, Brad explores research on the dairy cow’s 12-month biological clock. Using data from 332 Western U.S. dairy herds, the study examined how region, breed, housing, organic management, and BST use influence seasonal patterns in milk...
-
Episode 359 - New Calf Health and Fertility Traits: What Dairy Producers Need to Know - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode previews new U.S. dairy genetic evaluations scheduled for release by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding on August 11, 2026. Two new calf-health traits will measure genetic resistance to diarrhea and respiratory disease in Holsteins and Jerseys. Positive predicted transmitting...
-
Episode 358 - Footbath Management: What Dairy Farms May Be Missing - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
After sharing how recent heat stress caused an average milk loss of four pounds per cow in his herd, Brad turns his attention to lameness and footbath management. He examines a study of approximately 250 Canadian dairy farms to explore how footbaths are being used, where management gaps exist…
more -
Episode 357 - From Calf to Carcass: Early Nutrition for Beef-on-Dairy Success - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Beef-on-dairy calves continue to bring strong prices, but producing calves that perform well from birth through harvest requires careful decisions about genetics and nutrition. In this episode, we look at current Minnesota calf markets, the factors influencing beef sire selection and recent...
-
Episode 356 - Heat Stress and Water Intake in Dairy Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode examines how heat stress affects water intake in dairy cows—and why farms must prepare their watering systems for increasingly hot weather. A review of studies from 1985–2024 found that Holstein cows producing roughly 65–70 pounds of milk averaged about 24 gallons of water per day...
-
Episode 355 - How Breed (Holstein and Crossbred) Influences Heifer Feed Intake and Emissions- UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares preliminary results from a University of Minnesota study examining feed intake, methane emissions, and feeding behavior in Holstein and crossbred dairy heifers. Using precision feeders, methane-monitoring equipment, and activity sensors, the research team compared Holsteins with...
-
Episode 354 - Hot Calves, Lower Gains: Rethinking Summer Calf Care - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad takes a closer look at heat stress in dairy calves and cows. This episode highlights several recent studies on how temperature-humidity index affects calf behavior, lying time, respiration rates, shade use, and growth performance. Brad discusses research from the University of Guelph, The…
more -
Episode 353 - Calf Research Roundup: Colostrum, Beef-on-Dairy, and Weaning Insights - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Back from the ADSA annual meeting in Milwaukee, Brad shares highlights from several calf-focused dairy studies. This episode covers new research on colostrum management for beef-on-dairy crossbred calves, including how feeding practices differ between retained dairy heifers, beef-on-dairy calves,...
-
Episode 352 - Somatic Cell Count Genetics and Heifer Feed Efficiency - UMN Extension's The Moos Rom
Brad shares two studies He presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting. First, he examines records from more than 150,000 lactations to compare genetic predictions for somatic cell score and clinical mastitis. The results suggest that PTA for somatic cell score is more…
more -
Episode 351 - High Oleic Soybeans: A New Tool for Dairy Rations? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad discusses what he learned about high oleic soybeans at the Four State Dairy Management and Nutrition Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. High oleic soybeans are gaining attention in dairy nutrition because they can provide both rumen undegradable protein and a more rumen-friendly fat source,...
-
Episode 350 - New World Screwworm Returns to the U.S.: What Farmers Need to Know - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
A case of New World screwworm was recently identified in a three-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. In this episode, Brad breaks down what New World screwworm is, why it matters to livestock producers, and what signs to watch for in cattle and other animals. He...
-
Episode 349 - Can Pasture-Raised Heifers Outperform Confinement Heifers? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad discusses new research comparing dairy heifers raised on pasture versus in confinement, focusing on studies from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Both studies found that pasture-raised heifers were slightly lighter and gained less before calving, but they reached calving at a similar age and showed...
-
Episode 348 - Holstein Classification and Crossbreeding Lessons from Minnesota Dairy Research - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares updates from the University of Minnesota Morris dairy herd, including cows heading out to spring pasture, a recent Holstein classification, and highlights from several high-scoring cows. He then revisits University of Minnesota crossbreeding research comparing Holsteins with Viking…
more -
Episode 347 - Heat Stress Starts Earlier Than We Think: Using Cow Sensors to Stay Ahead - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad discusses spring pasture challenges in western Minnesota, including dry conditions, temperature swings, and slowed grass growth. With summer heat on the horizon, the focus shifts to heat stress in dairy cows and how precision technologies, especially…
more -
Episode 346 - FerAppease for Dairy Cows and Calves: Can Reducing Stress Improve Pregnancy Rates and Growth? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad takes a closer look at FerAppease, a synthetic analog of the maternal bovine appeasing substance that is gaining attention in both the dairy and beef industries. He explains how the product is designed to reduce stress in cattle during events like breeding, weaning, dehorning…
more -
Episode 345 - Virtual Fencing for Grazing Cattle: Costs, Training, and Practical Tips - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Virtual fencing is gaining attention in livestock production, and this episode breaks down what dairy producers need to know before trying it. Brad explains how virtual fencing uses GPS-enabled collars or ear tags, audio cues, and electrical cues to manage grazing animals within digital…
more -
Episode 344 - Salmonella Dublin: The Hidden Threat in Dairy-Beef Systems - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode highlights new research on Salmonella Dublin in dairy-beef systems and what it means for calf health and farm management. The disease is a major threat to young calves, causing severe illness and high mortality, while often spreading silently through carrier animals and contaminated...
-
Episode 343 - The Hidden Cost of Cow Health: Why It Pays to Look Beyond ‘Sick or Not - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Spring may be slow to arrive in Minnesota, but research season is heating up. In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad revisits a large Minnesota-based study exploring the true cost of health events in dairy cows—and why tracking cost, not just disease incidence, could transform genetic selection…
more -
Episode 342 - Cows, Kilowatts, and Cool-Season Grasses: What Grows Best Under Solar? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode of The Moos Room dives into new research on agrivoltaics—specifically how forages perform when grown under solar panels in grazing systems. Brad shares results from a recent study evaluating multiple grass and legume species across different solar array designs compared to a...
-
Episode 341 - Stop Mastitis Before It Starts: Pre-Calving Training That Works - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares insights from a recent study at the University of Minnesota Morris dairy focused on reducing mastitis and improving behavior in first-lactation heifers. The research tested a simple, low-labor strategy: bringing heifers into the parlor once per week…
more -
Episode 340 - Beef-on-Dairy Boom: Why Crossbred Calves Are Winning - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Spring calving is underway in Minnesota, and with it comes renewed focus on the booming beef-on-dairy market. In this episode, Brad dives into current calf prices—highlighting the strong premium for beef-cross calves—and breaks down new research comparing Holstein and beef × dairy calves under…
more -
Episode 339- Horn Fly Vaccines: What We Learned from a Summer Study - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
On this spring episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives into the seasonal return of flies and shares results from a recent horn fly vaccine study conducted at the University of Minnesota’s WCROC. Horn flies—common in pasture-based systems—cause significant irritation, blood loss, and production…
more -
Episode 338 - Dairy by the Numbers: Production, Breeds, and Herd Size - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares a spring dairy update and breaks down newly released national performance metrics from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, offering a snapshot of what the U.S. dairy herd looks like today. He also touches on a major industry headline—Zoetis’ planned acquisition of Neogen’s animal...
-
Episode 337 - Bucket or Nipple: What’s the Best Way to Feed Calves? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad explores a recent study comparing two common calf-feeding methods: open buckets and nipple buckets. While most U.S. dairies rely on open buckets because they allow calves to drink quickly and reduce chore time, the research looked at how these systems affect calf growth, digestion, and...
-
Episode 336 - Heat, Herd Size and Cow Factors: Understanding SCC in Organic Herds - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares results from a large national research project examining somatic cell count (SCC) and mastitis risk in U.S. organic dairy herds, using more than 2 million DHI test-day records from 430 farms across 31 states. The discussion highlights how SCC is influenced by multiple factors…
more -
Episode 335 - What the Necropsy Revealed: Hidden Heart Issues and Citrobacter Abortions
In this solo episode, Brad shares a few recent herd-health case studies from his dairy, highlighting the value of diagnostics and transparency. He walks through two calf losses—one at 60 days old and another at 9 months. Both animals had been treated for common issues but continued to decline....
-
Episode 334- The Cow of the Future: Built for Producers, Powered by Precision - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Emily and Brad re-record this episode of The Moos Room after a technical glitch wiped out Emily’s audio—and dive into a big question: What does the dairy cow of the future look like? Inspired by a recent Journal of Dairy Science paper, they move beyond the classic Holstein vs. Jersey debate to...
-
Episode 333 - Beef on Dairy in a Hot Market: Calf Prices, Cattle Numbers, and Sire Selection - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Calf prices are making headlines, and in this episode Emily and Brad are joined by UMN Extension beef educator Melissa Runck to talk through what today’s hot beef and beef-on-dairy markets mean for producers. They discuss why newborn beef-cross calves are bringing record prices, how that cash can...
-
Episode 332 - From Herd Counts to Cow Scratches: What’s Changing in Midwest Dairies - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
On a warm-for-February day in Minnesota, Brad dives into two topics shaping today’s dairy landscape: changing dairy herd demographics in the Upper Midwest and new research on dairy cow preferences for grooming brushes. The episode opens with a look at dairy farm numbers in Minnesota, where the...
-
Episode 331 - Why I Use the Bulls I Do: Fertility, Polled Genetics, and Outcross Thinking - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad checks in from a brutally cold stretch in western Minnesota (30–40°F below zero), noting the cows are handling it well and somatic cell counts tend to run low in the extreme cold. He then walks listeners through how he thinks about sire selection in his research herd—mostly Holsteins, plus...
-
Episode 330 - Circadian Rhythms in Dairy Cows: What Sensor Data Reveals About Welfare - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this solo episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares “hot off the press” research on circadian rhythms in dairy cows and what long-term sensor data can tell us about cow welfare. Drawing from a study presented at the International Precision Dairy Farming Conference in New Zealand, the episode...
-
Episode 329 - Winter Mastitis Management: Don’t Let the Cold Catch You Off Guard - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this solo “Emily Show” episode of The Moos Room, Emily takes a timely look at mastitis management during the winter months. While mastitis and high somatic cell counts are often associated with summer heat and humidity, Emily reminds listeners that cold weather brings its own risks and…
more -
Episode 328 - Working Smarter, Not Longer: What Great Dairy Managers Do Differently - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In the first episode of 2026, Emily and Brad kick off a New Year’s “resolution” to record more episodes together and dive into one of their favorite themes: management. The conversation is sparked by a German case study Brad found that followed 10 German dairy herd managers (average ~600 cows;...
-
Episode 327 - Closing Out 2025: Reflections, Research, and What’s Ahead for The Moos Room - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In the final episode of 2025, Emily and Brad reflect on another big year for The Moos Room, marking more than 300 episodes since launching in 2019. They look back on key 2025 topics, including real-world dairy case studies from the Morris Research Dairy, health and safety conversations, emerging...
-
Episode 326 - A Holiday Reminder: Boundaries Are Self-Care - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this short solo episode of The Moos Room, Emily takes the mic to talk about managing holiday stress through setting healthy boundaries. With the holidays approaching, Emily shares practical guidance on navigating family dynamics, uncomfortable conversations, and competing demands on time and...
-
Episode 325 - Calf Transport: Why Early-Life Management Matters More Than Miles - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives into a landmark new study examining the effects of short- and long-distance transport on the health, survival, and growth of pre-weaned dairy and dairy–beef crossbred calves. Drawing on data from nearly 392,000 calves across multiple farms and…
more -
Episode 324 - A New Vet in Town: Dr. Angie Joins the Moos Crew - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode, Brad and Emily welcome a special guest: Dr. Angie Varnum, the University of Minnesota Extension’s new livestock veterinarian. After some banter about Minnesota winters—and a classic round of The Moos Room’s “super-secret” cattle breed questions—the crew dives into Angie’s unique...
-
Episode 323 - Why Aren’t The Cows Milking in Our Herd? A Deep Dive Into Dairy Nutrition Troubleshooting - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this solo episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives into a deep, honest look at production challenges in the University of Minnesota dairy herd and the nutrition and management factors that may be holding cows back. After noticing low udder fill during classification and reviewing herd data, Brad...
-
Episode 322 - Understanding Farmer Stress: What to Watch For and How to Help - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad and Emily reunite on the podcast to dive into an essential—and timely—topic: farmer mental health. With fall wrapping up and winter on the horizon, stressors on the farm shift and often intensify. Emily shares updates on her recent travels and outreach work in farm safety, health, and...
-
Episode 321 - Timers, Tech, and Jerseys: A South Dakota Dairy Roadtrip Deep Dive - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad recaps a fall road trip with the Minnesota dairy extension team to South Dakota’s rapidly growing I-29 dairy corridor, highlighting what innovative farms are doing to boost efficiency, cow health, and profitability. Along the way, they tour the Bel Brands plant in Brookings, where milk from...
-
Episode 320 - Robots, Crossbreeding, and Straw — A Moos Room Travel Report from Europe - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad recaps his trip to dairy farms in the Netherlands and Germany, where robotics, crossbreeding, and creative manure and energy management are everywhere — even on small farms. He visited farms using Lely robots, grass/rye silage-based diets, and small-scale digesters that capture manure…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.
HOSTED BY
University of Minnesota Extension
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Moos Room™ have?
The Moos Room™ currently has 370 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Moos Room™ about?
Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.
How often does The Moos Room™ release new episodes?
The Moos Room™ publishes regularly with 370 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Moos Room™?
You can listen to The Moos Room™ 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 The Moos Room™?
The Moos Room™ is created and hosted by University of Minnesota Extension.
URL copied to clipboard!