Cattle Chat Podcast Summary
Episode: Research Update, Pinkeye, A.I. Calving
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Dr. Brad White and the BCI Cattle Chat crew (Dustin, Philip, Todd, Bob)
Special Guest: Dr. Danelle Kopp
Podcast: Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University
Main Theme
This episode of Cattle Chat features an in-depth discussion on three core topics affecting the beef cattle industry:
- Economic modeling for metaphylaxis (preventative antibiotic treatment) in feedlot cattle
- Genetics and management of pink eye in cowherds
- The logistics and economics of artificial insemination (AI) in breeding cowherds
The episode includes a research update from Dr. Danelle Kopp and explores listener questions about pink eye and AI calving strategies.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Research Spotlight: Economic Evaluation of Metaphylaxis
Guest Expert: Dr. Danelle Kopp
Main Segment: [02:08–10:10]
- Dr. Kopp shares her master's research, which models the economic benefit of using metaphylaxis (mass medication) in feedlot cattle under various conditions.
- The study analyzes 10 years of actual feedlot and market data (prices, health outcomes, performance metrics) to quantify when metaphylaxis improves producer profitability.
Key Findings:
- Mortality is the primary economic driver: Preventing death losses in high-risk cattle has a much bigger economic impact than changes in market prices or input costs.
- Entry weight matters: Lighter calves benefit more from metaphylaxis, likely due to their increased vulnerability.
- Input prices (like corn or distillers) had less influence than expected; the decision to treat or not is fundamentally about saving lives, not marginal feed costs.
“Mortality was very much the number one thing that drove the metaphylactic decision... inputs are important, but not as important as we expected going into it for this.” – Dr. Danelle Kopp [06:50]
Panel Reaction:
- Dr. Larson admits his hypothesis (that cattle prices would be a major factor) was tempered by the results:
“So my conclusion now is kind of tempered to where I was before... it’s really about how much the health risk is driving this decision.” – Dr. Bob Larson [07:24]
Practical Takeaway:
The most crucial question is: “How many cattle could die if I don’t use metaphylaxis?” Price fluctuations, while not irrelevant, are secondary to the risk of mortality when making this decision.
2. Listener Q&A: Genetics and Management of Pink Eye
Main Segment: [10:10–16:17]
Q: Does culling cows for pink eye reduce herd incidence over time?
Discussion:
- Genetic Components: There is a genetic link, as highlighted by older studies showing breed differences (e.g., Herefords are more susceptible). Heritability, however, is low.
- Environmental Factors Dominate: Management and environment play a significantly larger role than genetics in pink eye outbreaks.
- Rough pasture, seed heads, and poor grazing management increase risk.
- Fly control, especially targeting face flies, is essential to reduce transmission.
“It’s very unlikely that you will be able to only select for cattle that don’t seem to get pink eye and completely eliminate the problem. It can help. It’s probably not going to eliminate the problem completely.” – Dr. Todd [12:35]
- Pink eye is a "syndrome" with many contributing infectious agents and environmental stressors, making it difficult to control by genetics alone.
Memorable Analogy:
“It’s more of a syndrome really, than it is a specific disease, because you can have multiple factors that can combine that will be sufficient to create pink eye.” – Dr. Todd [15:12]
Practical Takeaway:
While genetic selection might help, pasture and fly management are the most effective strategies to control pink eye at the herd level.
3. Listener Q&A: AI Calving – Timing and Economics
Main Segment: [16:17–22:50]
Q: Should producers calve early to enable use of AI before cattle go to pasture?
Discussion:
- Many purebred/seedstock producers calve earlier (e.g., February) so cows can be AI bred before pasture turnout in May.
- For commercial producers, the economics are more nuanced:
- Winter Feeding Costs: Early calving increases feed costs substantially. Any gains in calf weight or genetics from AI must offset these higher expenses.
- Genetic Benefit: The use of AI brings superior genetics, but increased costs may outpace added value in commercial settings.
“My preference is still 8 to 4 [May to August] go using artificial insemination in commercial cows... I love AI for commercial heifers. I think it’s hard to accomplish in cows when they’re out on pasture.” – Dr. Bob Larson [18:27]
Arguments for Flexibility:
- Operational diversity matters—some producers have logistical constraints (e.g., lease or public land grazing) that require adaptation, including AI before turnout.
- In rare cases, personal aptitude or infrastructure can make AIing cows more efficient or practical than it is for their peers.
“No two of them did things the same way. Everybody had their own system.” – Dr. Todd [20:54]
Practical Framework:
- Do the math: Compare potential gains from AI (calf crop, weaning weights, replacement females) to the extra costs of early calving and winter feed.
- Factor in management complexity: Labor, synchronization, the stress of early calving all must be included in decision-making.
Choice Quote:
“There’s some things... that doesn’t easily fit into a cell on the spreadsheet. But it needs to be taken into the decision matrix of how I’m going to move forward with this.” – Dr. Brad White [22:50]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Football Cattle Draft (Lighthearted intro; [00:20–02:08]): Panel chooses cattle breeds for football team positions. “Saleres for linebacker because they’ll straight up kill you.” – Dr. Todd
- Research Takeaway: “If I wanted to predict one thing, it would be mortality that I’d want to predict as we go forward.” – Dr. Brad White [10:10]
- On Pink Eye: “It’s more of a syndrome really, than it is a specific disease.” – Dr. Todd [15:12]
- On Operational Diversity: “No two of them did things the same way. Everybody had their own system.” – Dr. Todd [20:54]
- Summary Table for Producers: Use a spreadsheet to weigh AI benefits vs. early calving feed costs.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:08–10:10] Dr. Danelle Kopp’s research on metaphylaxis economics
- [10:10–16:17] Genetics and management of pink eye
- [16:17–22:50] Economics and logistics of AI calving in commercial vs. purebred herds
By focusing on the practical implications of research and real-world management challenges, this episode offers actionable insight for cow-calf and feedlot producers, especially in the current economic climate. The consensus: focus on mortality risk in health decisions, manage pink eye with environment and fly control, and personalize your breeding systems after running the numbers for your own operation.