Podcast
Cattle Chat
Hosted by BCI Cattle Chat · EN
Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within the beef industry.
53episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Liver Abscess Research and Cattle Market Risk Management
2w ago00:24:19Summary readyIn 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 rumen acidosis, highlighting the need for more research into other contributing factors and prevention strategies. The conversation then shifts to current cattle market conditions, where the team examines risk management options for cow-calf producers facing high calf prices, drought concerns, and decisions about retaining heifers. They also cover tools like futures contracts and livestock insurance programs that producers can use to manage price volatility heading into the fall. 3:10 Liver Abscess Research 14:37 Cattle Market Risk Management For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryAfter the Abstract: How does bovine leukosis affect cow-calf herds
2w ago00:23:48Summary readyIn 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 a great association between culling risk and pregnancy status associated with the ELISA test. Read the article here
SummaryTheileria Diagnosis, Cow Size Economics, and Heifer Rebreeding Strategies
3w ago00:23:54Summary readyOn 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 clinical signs and herd history, since infection does not always mean it was the direct cause of illness or death. The group also explored how larger cows may produce heavier calves but require greater nutritional inputs, making optimal cow size dependent on forage resources and overall production costs. In addition, they highlighted that successful rebreeding of first-calf heifers depends on early calving, proper nutrition, and consistent mineral intake to support recovery and fertility. 3:27 Theileria 9:01 Cow Size 17:53 Heifer Rebreeding For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryMillion Downloads Episode
4w ago00:26:20Summary readyIn 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 nutrition, reproduction, management, genetics, markets, and grazing management. The hosts also share insights from their favorite episodes and discuss how the podcast helps deliver timely cattle industry information to producers around the world. The episode concludes with advice for a high school student interested in ranching, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning, networking, internships, extracurricular involvement, and gaining diverse experiences across the beef industry. For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryCoccidiosis induced Diarrhea, Growth Implants in Beef, Timing When Processing Calves
May 100:22:54Summary readyOn 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 discuss growth implants, emphasizing their use to improve production efficiency and that hormone levels in beef are biologically minimal, though consumer preferences may justify selling non-implanted beef at a premium. The last topic was a listener question that asked about protocol when gathering cattle before processing. The veterinarians discussed that timing should minimizing stress while ensuring access to feed and water. 4:27 Diarrhea Caused by Coccidiosis 8:34 Growth Implants in Beef 15:44 Timing When Processing Calves For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryResearch Update: Larrison Hicks, Line Breeding, Nutritional Listener Questions
Apr 2400:24:27Summary readyOn 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 systems. Early findings showed no short-term benefits from probiotic supplementation, with more results pending. The hosts also discussed genetics, noting that line breeding closely related high-performing cattle increases the risk of defects and does not reliably produce superior offspring. Additional topics included managing aflatoxins in feed, the limited effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate in feedlot diets, and how excess fat can negatively impact rumen function in grazing cattle. 4:31 Research Update: Larrison Hicks 9:21 Line Breeding 13:43 Nutritional Listener Questions For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryCalving Challenges, Vaccination Decisions, and Managing Liver Flukes in Cattle
Apr 1700:24:17Summary readyOn 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, twins, and genetics than to cattle handling, though low-stress handling remains important. They also discuss vaccination protocols for incoming calves, emphasizing that vaccines are a long-term preventive tool and should be paired with strong overall health management. Finally, they highlight that effective liver fluke control depends on understanding the parasite’s life cycle and managing environmental risk factors, not just treatment. 3:25 Calving Difficulties 10:19 Vaccination Strategies 19:12 South African Liver Flukes For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryGuest Cambree Schmaltz: CalfDex and Transporting Pregnant Cows
Apr 1000:25:07Summary readyOn 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 the risks of transporting pregnant cattle, emphasizing that early pregnancy is the most vulnerable period for pregnancy loss due to stress. 5:14 CalfDex 14:27 Transporting Pregnant Cows For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating! CalfDex
SummaryU.S. Beef Imports and Brucellosis
Apr 300:22:34Summary readyIn 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 supply and meet consumer demand. They also review brucellosis, a bacterial disease that affects reproduction and can spread to humans, which has been largely controlled through vaccination and eradication programs. However, the disease still exists in wildlife near Yellowstone, making proper vaccination and management practices important for prevention. 4:42 U.S Beef Imports 11:45 Brucellosis For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
SummaryCattlemen’s Day Questions
Mar 2700:24:15Summary readyIn 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 supply and strong demand may keep cattle prices elevated in the near future. They also explore animal health decisions, highlighting that vaccinating or implanting newborn calves is highly context-dependent and often reflects broader challenges in management systems. The episode wraps with advice for students, encouraging a balance of broad agricultural knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical business understanding. 3:36 Small Family Wanting to Expand 5:52 Expected Beef Price 10:40 Vaccinating Newborn Calves 16:59 Classes Recommended by the Experts 21:09 What the Vets are Looking for in Vet School Essays For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!
Summary