Cattle Chat

BCI Cattle Chat
  • 4.8 (120)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within the beef industry.

  1. 6D AGO

    Research Update: Katherine Shirley, When to Preg Check, Guest: Cameron Best, Australia vs U.S. Beef Production

    In this episode of Cattle Chat, Dr. Brad White and the team welcome graduate student Katherine Shirley, who discusses her summer research on heat stress and cardiopulmonary issues in feedyard cattle. She explains how environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and hide color can influence cattle health and mortality. The crew then answers a listener’s question about pregnancy checking, covering ideal timing, methods, and the causes of early pregnancy loss. Finally, Cameron Best from Australia joins to compare U.S. and Australian cattle production, highlighting differences in climate, forage systems, and market structures.  2:42 Research Update from Katherine Shirley 8:09 When to Preg Check 19:55 Cameron Best Compares Australian and U.S. Beef Production

  2. 12/19/2025

    Guest: Dr. Stephan Hughes, KSU Resources, Bull Fertility

    In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, Bob Weaber interviews Dr. Stephan Hughes, a veterinarian from South Africa, while on a trip. Hughes shares how he started listening to Cattle Chat and how beef production differs in South Africa. They also talk about the different tools Kansas State University has that can enhance your operation, not only in the United States but also abroad. The team then transitions to a listener question about bull fertility. The experts emphasize the importance of testing your bull’s fertility, especially as he ages.  2:20 Dr. Stephan Hughes interview   8:25 KSU Resources  17:30 Listener Question: Bull Fertility   For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

    26 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    Guest Dr. Cassandra Olds: What is Theileria, How is Theileria Transmitted, Heifer Development

    In this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, guest Dr. Cassandra Olds continues the discussion of Theileria, a tick- and fly-borne parasite affecting U.S. cattle herds. The team explains how it spreads from the East Coast westward, causes anemia-like symptoms, and persists for life in infected animals. They stress prevention through stress reduction, parasite control, and good nutrition, noting that no approved treatment exists. The conversation shifts to preparing heifers for breeding season, emphasizing pre-breeding exams, tracking weight and reproductive readiness, and managing nutrition to ensure early conception and lifelong productivity. Dr Cassandra Olds Contact Information: 34A Waters HallManhattan KS 66506Phone: (785) 706-8599Fax: (785) 532-6232 colds@ksu.edu

    24 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    Guest: Dr. Cassandra Olds, Theileria, Theileria Transmission, Winter Feeding Strategies

    This episode of Cattle Chat features guest Dr. Cassandra Olds, an entomologist, who shares with the group about her research on Theileria, an emerging protozoan parasite in cattle. Dr. Olds explains that Theileria is tick‑borne but can also be spread by sucking lice, possibly stable flies, limited placental transmission, and contaminated needles or equipment, emphasizing single‑needle use and the difficulty of vector control. The conversation then shifts to winter hay feeding strategy: estimating cow weights and forage intake, testing hay quality, minimizing waste, cleaning up old hay to reduce stable fly breeding sites, and tracking bale disappearance over time to adjust feeding and prevent cows from losing condition. 4:11 Theileria 5:25 Theileria Transmission 17:01 Winter Feeding Strategies Hay Inventory Calculator | AgManager.info For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

    27 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    Guest Fred Gingrich, AVC, AABP, and Anaplasmosis

    On Cattle Chat this week, Dr. Bob Larson, representing the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC), and guest Dr. Fred Gingrich, with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), discuss the work their organizations are doing. Anaplasmosis is also discussed, highlighting its transmission by ticks, the limitations of current control methods, and the importance of early veterinary intervention to manage the disease.

    23 min

  6. 11/21/2025

    Evolution in the Feedlot Industry, Questioning Cow Calf Practices, Big Cows vs Small Cows on Pasture

    In this week’s episode of Cattle Chat, the experts discuss the evolution in the feedlot industry. They debate how producers used to calculate cost based on feed efficiency. The team also questions different cow-calf practices. Lastly, they debate whether or not you should have bigger cows with heavier weaned weight for your calves or if you should have smaller cows so there are more cows per acre, resulting in more calves being sold.   3:10 Evaluation in the Feedlot Industry  11:00 Questioning Cow Calf Practices  15:50 Bigger Cows vs Smaller Cows on Pasture   For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

    22 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Caroline Wingert Research Update, Co-Mingling Bulls, Bull-to-Cow Ratio

    This week on Cattle Chat, our guest Caroline Wingert shares her research on jobs in rural communities and the challenges that come with living in rural areas. The experts also dive into a listener’s question of co-mingling bulls, how to prevent fighting, and different housing strategies. Lastly, they discuss how to tackle your bull-to-cow ratio.  2:47 Caroline Winger Research Update  9:30 Listener Question: Co-mingling bulls  16:23 Bull-to-Cow Ratio  For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

    24 min

  8. 11/07/2025

    Records or Plans, How to Implement a Plan, Saving Replacement Heifers

    On Cattle Chat this week, the experts discuss whether or not you could be taking records, making a plan, or both when it comes to your breeding season. After the discussion, the team talks about implementing your plan. When making your plan, what should you be looking for when saving back replacement heifers? They talk about how much age should play a factor when saving back your replacement heifers  4:31 Records or Plans  11:30 How to Implement a Plan 14:14 Saving Replacment Heifers  For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

    24 min
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4.8
out of 5
120 Ratings

About

Listen to veterinary professionals from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University talk about a variety of topics within the beef industry.

Information

  • Creator
    BCI Cattle Chat
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Cattle Chat

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