Episode Overview
Main Theme:
In this episode of Cattle Chat (October 6, 2025), the veterinary experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) delve into three core topics impacting the beef industry:
- Strategic parasite control
- The relationship between bull back fat and breeding soundness (BSE)
- The pros and cons of grazing corn stubble and cover crops
Each discussion blends practical research, field experience, and critical questions for producers to consider as they seek optimal herd health and sustainable practices.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Parasite Control Strategies in Cow-Calf Operations
Changing Recommendations and Nuanced Approaches
- Traditional Approach: Historically, blanket deworming of all cattle was common.
- Evolving Best Practices: Blanket treatments drive parasite resistance, so a shift is recommended toward targeted or strategic deworming.
Who and When to Treat?
- Identifying Candidates:
- Treating only animals that need it is now preferred, but clear criteria for “need” are lacking.
- Young cattle typically benefit most from deworming; mature cattle often have greater natural resistance.
- Local geography, climate, and management matter greatly.
- Timing:
- No universal “right” time to treat. The classic recommendation to deworm before moving to a fresh pasture now raises resistance concerns.
Risks of Improper Handling
- Moving freshly dewormed (but not 100% cleared) cattle to a clean pasture may seed the environment with drug-resistant parasites.
Notable Quote:
"I can't think of a better recipe for creating a resistant population of parasite than to treat the entire herd and then put them into a clean pasture."
— Todd Gunderson, [10:59]
Key Takeaway:
Consult with your local veterinarian to design a parasite control program tailored to your herd, environment, and current best practices.
2. Bull Back Fat & Breeding Soundness (BSE)
Research from Georgia – Linking Back Fat to Fertility
- Study Design: Measured subcutaneous back fat and correlated with BSE outcome in yearling bulls.
- Findings:
- High back fat was clearly linked to a higher chance of failing a BSE, primarily due to increased abnormal sperm (semen morphology).
- Higher back fat = higher testicular temperatures, impairing sperm production.
Practical Implication:
- Bulls developed to “show shape” often have too much fat for optimal fertility. Moderate condition bulls are less likely to fail BSE.
- “Half an inch of back fat is like slaughter-ready body condition—way above what a bull needs.” — Philip, [15:45]
Memorable Exchange:
Brad White: "New product idea. You've seen the neck fans people wear. It's a scrotal neck fan. There you go."
Bob: "I'm gonna let you install them though."
[14:54–15:03]
Key Takeaway:
Balance nutrition carefully for growing bulls. Over-conditioning can undermine breeding performance and long-term herd profitability.
3. Grazing Corn Stubble and Cover Crops: Pros & Cons
Production Benefits
- Low-Cost Feed Source:
- Crop residues and cover crops provide inexpensive, effective feed, especially for cows in spring calving operations.
Potential Crop/Soil Challenges
- Soil Compaction:
- Main concern: Compaction during wet conditions.
- Cow hoof compaction generally is limited (~4 inches deep) and mitigated by natural freeze/thaw cycles—unlike heavier and deeper equipment compaction.
- Practical issue: Roughness of soil surface, affecting planter operation.
Yield Impact:
- Nebraska research: Grazing corn stalks in winter or early spring showed no negative effect on subsequent corn yields and even a small positive effect on soybeans.
- For cover crops, impacts may differ by season (spring vs. fall grazing) and local conditions.
Nutrient Cycling:
- Grazing animals return 85–90% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the field via manure, contributing to fertility rather than depleting it.
Notable Quote:
"You can still get your benefits. You might be able to have your cake and eat it too in that scenario."
— Brad White, [22:47]
Best Practices & Caveats:
- Check fields before grazing: avoid hotspots like spills of fertilizer (e.g., ammonium nitrate), which can be deadly.
- Grazing strategy (e.g., water source location, strip grazing) impacts distribution of both compaction and nutrient return.
Key Takeaway:
Grazing residues and cover crops can be a win–win if managed with the whole agroecosystem in mind, and by maintaining communication between livestock and cropping operations.
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On fumbling and recovery:
"The whole thing about a fumble is don't let it beat you twice."
— Bob, [02:07] -
On outdated deworming protocols:
"If this has been a conversation that you haven't had...talk to your veterinarian about what's new, what might I want to do different on my operation."
— Brad White, [11:19] -
On fat bulls and fertility:
"Radiators don't work well if you insulate them. And one of the places bulls will deposit fat is along that neck of the scrotum."
— Bob, [14:18] -
On grazing impact:
"Most of it's going back on as manure. ... Those nutrients are in a form that may even be more readily available for the subsequent cash crop."
— Philip and Bob, [22:29] -
On field safety:
"I have seen that [fertilizer spills] kill cows on multiple occasions... make sure that everything in that field is safe before you put them out there."
— Todd Gunderson, [24:02]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [04:28] – Begin: Parasite Control—Who, When, & How to Treat
- [10:05] – Pros/Cons of Deworming Prior to Moving to Clean Pasture
- [12:14] – Back Fat in Bulls and BSE Outcomes (Research Highlights)
- [15:45] – Relating Back Fat to Market Cattle and Bull Nutrition
- [17:34] – Grazing Crop Residue & Cover Crops: Producer Perspective
- [19:33] – Soil Compaction: Science vs. Perception
- [20:25] – Research Evidence: Grazing, Yields, & Nutrient Cycling
- [23:12] – Grazing Management: Field Impacts & Best Practices
- [24:22] – Field Safety and Toxicology
Conclusion
This episode emphasizes the importance of continually updating herd health strategies, whether it’s rethinking parasite control, balancing bull nutrition, or maximizing the benefits of cover crop grazing. The BCI panel encourages each producer to adapt practices based on the best available science—and never hesitate to consult local experts.