Cattle Chat Podcast Summary: "Grazing Strategies, Listener Question: Rash, Research Update"

Episode Date: May 23, 2025
Host: Dr. Brad White & BCI Cattle Chat Team
Description: Veterinary experts from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University discuss grazing strategies, address a listener’s herd health question, and showcase new research on disease diagnostics in cattle.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into practical grazing strategies—comparing continuous and rotational methods—the implications for pasture and herd health, and answers a listener's question regarding a potential herpes virus in cows. Plus, it features a research update on innovative diagnostic technology for cattle respiratory disease.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grazing Strategies: Continuous vs. Rotational Grazing

[03:07–11:52]

Definitions

• Continuous Grazing: Cattle remain in the same large pasture(s) for an extended period.
• Rotational Grazing: Cattle are moved frequently (e.g., weekly) among multiple pastures, with the intent to allow grass recovery.

Advantages of Rotational Grazing

• Plant Health & Productivity:
  • "The benefit to rotational grazing is I force that animal to leave that plant alone for a period of time to let it recover from the previous grazing event. And that helps then the plant be more persistent and productive..."
    — Philip ([03:59])
• Increased Beef Production per Acre:
  • "...one of the benefits is you actually get more beef production per acre because you get basically more forage production per acre."
    — Bob ([05:21])
• Better Management of Pasture Diversity: Allows species to recover and reduces overgrazing of preferred plants.

Limitations of Rotational Grazing

• Infrastructure and Cost:
  • "So fencing, but then labor costs. So those obviously be a pro for ... continuous grazing, whereas it might be a con for the rotational grazing."
    — Dustin ([06:43])
• Labor: More frequent herd checks and fence/water management required.
• Challenges in Extensive Grazing Areas:
  • “...where you have extensive grazing, just very large pastures, it kind of accentuates the water issue, the infrastructure costs of cross fencing.”
    — Brian ([07:02])

Innovations and Alternatives

• Virtual Fencing: Used in larger/extensive pastures for lower labor requirements.
• Patch Burning & Water/ Mineral Placement:
  • "I know some ranchers will use what's called patch burning... so then the cows will spend more time in that part of the pasture on that particular year."
    — Philip ([10:22])
• Customized to Geography and Person:
  • "You have to know the forage in your area and what you could do to optimize forage production and cattle production per acre is really our goal."
    — Bob ([09:48])
  • “You have to know you. ... Can I keep up with this system or is it going to be like me and the garden?”
    — Brad ([09:48])

Summary Quote:

"There's lots of ways to make that happen to different levels of success, I guess, to improve the productivity of the ranch overall."
— Philip ([11:41])

2. Listener Health Question: Bumps on Cow Vulva - Rash or Herpes?

[12:36–17:55]

Scenario

• A producer observed a cow with urinary problems, later developing bumps on her vulva. The veterinarian suspects Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), a herpes virus.

Discussion Highlights

• Herpes (IBR) in Cattle:
  • "Yeah, it is a herpes virus and in cattle it is really common. ... spreads through herds really rapidly. ... It's also an abortion causing disease."
    — Bob ([13:15])
  • "So herpes can actually... go dormant and it lives in the, basically lives in the nerve roots."
    — Brian ([15:55])
• Clinical Signs: Usually mild due to widespread immunity, but vesicles (bumps) can signal a more significant outbreak.
• Transmission & Herd Impact: Highly contagious, can cause abortions; outbreaks may follow introduction of a carrier (e.g., new bull).
• Selling While Clinical:
  • “Most animals are going to have either been exposed or be carriers. So... there are lots of herpes carriers that are getting sold.”
    — Brian ([16:59])
• Best Practices: Confirm diagnosis; review and update vaccination protocols; don’t knowingly sell clinically ill or easily transmissible animals.

Memorable Quote:

"Herpes is one of the ones that's relatively common."
— Brad ([17:55])

3. Research Update: Electronic Nose (ENose) for Disease Detection

[18:55–26:05]
Guest: Dr. Konrad Chelkoff

What is the Electronic Nose?

• Device: Cyranose 320, a handheld device with 32 sensors.
• How it Works: Detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from samples (blood, breath, urine) to classify between healthy and diseased animals.

Research Findings

• Challenge Study:
  • Calves sampled before/after exposure to respiratory pathogens.
  • "The ENOS did a very good job, up to 90% correct, at differentiating samples that were unknown to those challenged ones."
    — Konrad ([22:08])
• Sample Types: Nasal swabs performed slightly better than expired breath samples.
• Time to Result:
  • “...like three to five minutes from sample collection to result when the device is fully trained and ready to go.”
    — Konrad ([23:12])
• Limitations: Early post-exposure (<48hrs) less accurate; better results as disease manifests.
• Field Applicability: Initial feedlot studies show promise but performance varies due to complex real-world conditions.

Broader Potential

• Used in human medicine for various conditions, e.g., identifying pneumonia and even the specific bacteria involved.
• Could be adapted for other cattle diseases in the future.

Notable Exchange:

"Our device really performed well up in the 90% to 100% correct range. ...once the challenge settles in, I guess in the animal, we had much better ability at predicting disease."
— Konrad ([23:50])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Knowing Your Limits:

  "Can I keep up with this system or is it going to be like me and the garden? ... by August, we're no longer best buds."
  — Brad ([09:48])

• On Patch Burning & Grazing:

  "They still... don't have a fence, cross fence. ...because that grass is more green and lush, they'll spend more time there."
  — Philip ([10:22])

• Quickfire Research Technology Explanation:

  "The electronic nose we are using is called the Cyranose 320. It's a handheld device about the size of a brick, but much lighter. It is composed of 32 sensors within and each sensor is sensitive to volatile organic compounds."
  — Konrad ([19:24])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Steak Sauce & WD-40 Trivia (icebreaker): [00:18–03:07]
• Grazing Strategies Discussion: [03:07–11:52]
• Listener Health Question (Rash/Herpes): [12:36–17:55]
• Research Feature (ENose Diagnostic Device): [18:55–26:05]

Tone & Style

The conversation balances expert analysis with humor and practical advice. The team brings academic rigor while maintaining a friendly, conversational approach—encouraging listener engagement and questions.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Understand the nuances of choosing a grazing strategy tailored to your geography, pasture diversity, and available labor/cost resources.
• Confirm cattle diagnoses with your veterinarian and keep vaccination protocols updated—especially for common but impactful diseases like herpes (IBR).
• Stay tuned for innovative on-site animal health diagnostics that promise rapid and accurate results, potentially revolutionizing how ranchers monitor herd health.

For questions or podcast feedback, reach out to the BCI Cattle Chat team by email.