Cattle Chat Podcast Summary

Episode: Managing Body Conditioning in Cows, Cause and Management of Weak Calves
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Cattle Chat from the Beef Cattle Institute team at Kansas State University focuses on two crucial cattle management topics:

1. Managing body condition in cows as winter ends and calving season approaches.
2. Understanding and addressing the causes and management of weak calves in cow-calf operations.

Hosts Dr. Brad White (A), Dr. Bob (B), Dr. Jason (C), and Dr. Dustin (D) share practical veterinary insights, address listener questions, and discuss management strategies, drawing on both research data and decades of hands-on industry experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Managing Body Condition in Cows Pre-Calving

a. Thin vs. Fat Cows: Which is More Concerning?

• Timing matters: The risk associated with thin or fat cows changes with production cycles.
• Thin cows (BCS 3-4) are a larger concern before calving. Reasons:
  • More likely to have calving difficulties (dystocia).
  • Increased likelihood of a prolonged infertility period and delayed cycling.
  • May indicate underlying health issues such as dental problems or illness.
    • “Do we have teeth problems? Do we have signs of other illness? You know, there might be a reason why she’s not keeping up with the rest of the herd...” – Bob (06:11)
• Over-conditioned (fat) cows — less commonly a disease issue. Concerns mostly at extreme cases, like increased calving difficulties or inefficiencies due to wasted feed.
  • Metabolic complications seen more in dairy than beef cows.
  • May indicate freeloading or non-productive cows (e.g., lost calf).
  • “The biggest problem with the fat cows that could have led them to get there is...they lost a calf or they weren't providing very much. They were freeloading.” – Brad (07:52)

b. Herd Management: Feeding for the Average vs. the Outliers

• When a notable portion of a herd is thin (e.g., 1/3 at BCS 4), but herd size prevents segregation:
  • Monitor reproductive performance: If it remains stable, prioritize managing to the herd average rather than aggressively supplementing the thinner subgroup.
  • Adjust strategies based on season:
    • “It's a whole lot easier than trying to do it...after calving or right around the time when they're gonna get started.” – Jason (09:34)
• Weight gain targets:
  • 1 BCS change ≈ 75–85 lbs/cow.
  • Gaining 2 lbs/day is challenging—possible only with intensive supplementation.
    • “To get cows to gain two pounds a day on a dormant forage...you’re bringing a lot of supplement, probably more than...I would ever plan to do.” – Bob (12:27)
  • Green, growing grass is "magic" for cows—weight gains are easier and more efficient than with dormant forage.

c. Forage Quality and Timing

• Calving closer to green grass improves outcomes; forage quality should factor into condition goals.
• Season affects how aggressively to address thin cows. Spring grass can help cows recover; dormant forage makes weight gain much harder.

d. Impact of Genetics & Industry Evolution

• Modern genetics: larger cows, higher milk production = higher intake and nutritional demand.
• Feed changes over decades: More availability of by-product feeds and protein sources (wheat mids, distillers grains, etc.)
  • “One of the things that’s changed over my career is the accessibility of byproduct feeds where protein is quite abundant and relatively inexpensive...” – Bob (15:34)
• Protein no longer as limiting as decades ago, changing ration strategies.
• Challenge: Protein and energy recommendations stem from older, less productive cow models.

2. Weak Calves: Causes & Management

Scenario: 225 commercial cow-calf herd, good reproductive history, otherwise normal death loss, but this season seeing weak calves mid-calving.

a. Initial Assessment: Which Dams?

• Weak calf syndrome most often associated with:
  • Heifers (first-calf cows): less experienced, higher dystocia risk, lower colostrum.
  • Prolonged calving: Even without overt dystocia, extended labor can reduce calf vigor.
    • “Are they coming from the heifers?...my biggest concern is that we’re missing some calving difficulty...the calf's just not ready to check, jump up and suckle...” – Bob (19:37)
• Advice: Increase surveillance and quicker intervention in heifers once labor clearly begins.
  • “Once that calf's in the birth canal, he's getting squeezed. We need to get him out.” – Bob (20:49)

b. Nutrition & Environment Factors

• Colostrum quality and quantity: Thin cows or heifers may have lower colostrum, affecting calf vigor.
• Weather: Sudden cold events can cause "cold shock" and weak calves, even when nutrition is good.
  • “Are these events...tied to weather events, cold stress events, cold shock events...?” – Jason (21:44)
• Underlying protein or energy deficiency: Less likely in herds with good average BCS; more concern with herds showing widespread thin cows.

c. Micronutrients & Trace Elements

• Deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or vitamin A can be linked to weak calf syndrome, but are less common in most managed herds.
  • “A couple of things that have been associated with weak calves is vitamin A deficiency, selenium, vitamin E deficiency. With the selenium, vitamin E, a lot of times I know that because of the geographic area that I'm in...” – Bob (22:51)
  • Typically reflected in changes to supplement regimen or local deficiency risks.

d. Disease & Epidemiology

• Clarify what “weak calves” means; rule out infectious processes (e.g., scours) as co-contributing factors.

e. Action Items

• Confirm if weak calves are concentrated in heifers or linked to weather events.
• Ensure observation/intervention protocols for heifers during calving.
• Review mineral/vitamin supplementation if management practices or sources have changed.
• Double-check for infectious disease or underlying health changes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On thin vs. fat cows at calving:

• “If I was going to err on anything going into calving, I'd rather she be a little bit over conditioned.” – Bob (02:57)

On green grass:

• “Green growing grass is magic for cows. They just blossom, they do great, they'll put on weight...” – Bob (11:32)

On weak calves and observation:

• “So if it's more common in the heifers...more emphasis on frequent observation of calving in heifers so that we can intervene quicker if they’re having problems.” – Bob (19:42)

On the evolution of supplementation:

• “The biggest change...is the accessibility of byproduct feeds where protein is quite abundant and relatively inexpensive compared to what I was trained on.” – Bob (15:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:41] – Discussion begins: Thin vs. fat cows at calving
• [05:51] – Health concerns between thin and fat cows
• [09:02] – Managing herds with higher proportion of thin cows
• [10:06] – How much weight/BCS change is possible & practical
• [11:32] – Importance of timing and forage quality
• [14:00] – Impact of genetics and feed industry changes
• [19:24] – Case scenario: Weak calves background and analysis
• [21:18] – The role of observation and assisting heifers
• [22:51] – Trace minerals/vitamins and weak calves

Summary

This episode provides actionable guidance for cattle producers and veterinarians approaching calving season. The team highlights the importance of monitoring and managing cow body condition with attention to the production cycle, forage quality, and available feed resources. Strategies for weak calves emphasize the importance of careful observation during calving, especially in heifers, alongside a check on weather influences and nutritional status.

Bottom line:
Maintain cows in moderate condition, track management changes, intervene promptly with problem calvings—especially in heifers—and don't overlook environmental or trace mineral factors if problems persist.

For listener questions:
Email the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State or reach out via social media.