Cattle Chat Podcast Summary

Episode: Records or Plans, How to Implement a Plan, Saving Replacement Heifers
Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Brad White, Dr. Bob (B), Dr. Scott (D), Dr. Phillip (C), Dr. Dustin (E)
Theme: Practical strategies for cattle herd management, focusing on the value of records versus plans, developing effective management plans, and decision-making around replacement heifers.

Episode Overview

In this episode, the veterinary professionals at Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute explore foundational management topics in the beef industry:

• The importance and interplay of ranch records and proactive plans
• Strategies for creating and implementing plans for grazing, reproductive management, and herd health
• Criteria and debates around selecting replacement heifers for the herd

Conversations are anchored in real-world practicality, experience-based advice, and memorable analogies, making the episode useful for producers at any scale.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Records vs. Plans in Cattle Operations (04:30–14:02)

Defining the Difference

• Records: Documentation of what actually happened (e.g., grazing dates, pregnancy rates, health events).
  • “A record is something that happens, you record it...if you’re like me, mentally you record it, and then three days later you forget. But it’s a written record, so you can go back and look what you did last year.” — Dustin (E) [04:59]
• Plans: Forward-looking strategies based on goals, designed before the season or event.
  • “A plan is…putting some thought, maybe on paper: here’s what I want to do, here’s why I want to do it. And then you follow through with the plan and you record that record.” — Dustin (E) [05:17]

Why Both Matter

• Plans provide direction and intentionality.
• Records inform future planning and measure progress.
• Each supports adapting to unpredictable factors (weather, markets).

Practical Examples

• For grazing, plans guide optimal pasture use. Records document what adaptations were made and outcomes in different years.
• For reproduction, plans go beyond “turning the bull out” by aiming for early pregnancies and controlled seasons.
  • “One of the records I like so much is how many cows get pregnant in the first 21 days. If it’s hitting a good goal, which I say is 60% or better, great, move on…if not, that triggers my plan.” — Bob (B) [07:46]

Limits of Records Alone

• Merely recording outcomes (“the scoreboard”) doesn’t drive improvement.
• The analogy: “Records are the scoreboard, but you need a game plan to actually improve.” — Brad (A) [11:05]
• Scott’s insight: Without records, diagnosing problem trends (e.g., nutrition-related health issues) is impossible—but it’s planned interventions that solve them. [09:51]

2. Creating and Implementing a Plan (11:05–14:02)

• Barriers: Producers often feel they’re “doing good” just with records; planning gets skipped due to time.
• Leader’s Role:
  • “That’s why we hire a head coach, to be honest.” — Bob (B) [11:55]
  • Someone must take ownership: develop the plan and coordinate execution.
• Level of Detail:
  • Grazing: Estimate forage yield, set timeframes for each pasture, consider seasonal pasture suitability.
    • “You need some estimates of your forage…How long do you think you can spend in each pasture without over-grazing? Are there certain times of year you should be there?” — Phillip (C) [13:12]
  • Overall: Adjust the plan annually using records of past successes and failures.
• Execution: Make focused time to plan, then let records validate, adjust, and improve future planning.

3. Replacement Heifer Selection: Young vs. Old Cow Offspring (14:02–23:44)

Listener Question ([14:02])

If I have a slot to save a couple more replacement heifers, would you rather they come from a young cow (3-4 years), or an old proven cow (10+ years), assuming both calve in the first cycle?

Discussion & Debate

• Bob’s Approach:
  • “I’m gonna select a heifer that was born in the first 21 days of the breeding season every year… Then, I’d pick the heifer whose dam is the oldest that I like…There is a lot to be said for a cow that has longevity.” — Bob (B) [15:06]
• Early Calving is Key:
  • Only retain heifers born early, emphasizing reproductive fitness and herd longevity.
  • Bob is unwavering: “If this calf was not born in the first 21 days, I don’t want to keep it.” [17:58]
• Phillip’s View:
  • The genetic influence on calving distribution is small; environmental factors (e.g., nutrition, bull performance) can also confound timing.
  • “I would say [timing of calving] is probably not strong enough to make a difference or to influence my selection.” [16:46]
• Growth vs. Longevity Tradeoff:
  • Older cows may wean lighter calves, but consistent early calving and herd fit are valued over purely genetic “potential” (younger cows).
  • “A young animal has better potential genetics, but she has not proven it yet. And that old cow has proven it.” — Bob (B) [18:38]
• Performance Genetics & Marketing:
  • Dustin (E): The endpoint matters—if marketing is at weaning versus retaining through the feedlot, growth genetics gain importance.
  • “The longer I own that calf, the more growth performance pays me…The less time I own that calf, the less growth performance pays me.” — Bob (B) [20:39]
• Math & Risk:
  • Phillip summarizes: With average gains, birth timing ultimately balances out weaning weight—early-born calves tend to catch up or surpass later-born, even if they grow slightly slower.
  • Bob: Early-born heifers also have more opportunity to get rebred and prove themselves, lowering reproductive risk.

Memorable Quotes

• "I'm going to answer a different question." — Bob, on politician-like answers [15:00]
• "Maybe I'm biased because I am old." — Bob, humorously justifying his preference for proven older cows [18:27]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Defining records vs. plans:

  “A record is something that happens, you record it…a plan is…here’s what I want to do, here’s why I want to do it.”
  — Dustin (E) [05:17]

• Repro records and improvement:

  “The record I like so much is how many cows get pregnant in the first 21 days…if not, that triggers my plan.”
  — Bob (B) [07:46]

• The football analogy:

  “Records are the scoreboard, but you go into a game with a strategy…unless you have a strategy, you’re just flying by the seat of your pants.”
  — Brad (A) [11:05]

• Who’s the head coach?

  “That’s why we hire a head coach—to do the planning. Do we have a head coach on the ranch?”
  — Bob (B) [11:55]

• Heifer selection simplified:

  “I’d pick the heifer whose dam is the oldest that I like, you know…there’s a lot to be said for a cow that has longevity.”
  — Bob (B) [15:19]

• Tradeoff, proven vs. potential genetics:

  “The old cow has proven it…Over the potential genetics of her daughter.”
  — Bob (B) [18:38]

• Performance & marketing connection:

  “The longer I own that calf, the more growth performance pays me…the less time I own that calf, the less growth performance pays me.”
  — Bob (B) [20:39]

• Math check on birth timing and gain:

  “A calf that gains 2.25 lbs/day for 210 days is about a 472-pound gain…one born 20 days later at 2.5 lbs/day meets about the same.”
  — Phillip (C) [21:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Food Memories: 00:04–04:30 (skip: not core content)
• Records vs. Plans – Definitions & Discussion: 04:30–11:05
• How to Make and Implement a Plan: 11:05–14:02
• Replacement Heifer Selection Debate: 14:02–23:44

Tone & Style

The hosts blend practical expertise with down-to-earth ranch humor and analogies; they challenge each other amiably and reference real-world producer questions. Their expertise is clear, but the tone remains conversational and accessible.

Final Takeaways

• Both records and plans are essential. Records document results and trends, but improvement comes from informed planning and adaptation.
• Appoint (or be) the “head coach.” Someone must intentionally make and oversee the plan, not just operate day-to-day.
• Early-born, proven replacement heifers (from cows with demonstrated longevity) are often preferable, but context and marketing matter.
• Use records to inform strategy, adjust plans annually, and benchmark success. Flexibility is key—what worked one year may need to be adapted the next.

For more practical advice or to send in questions, the hosts welcome listener contact at bcisu.edu.