Cattle Chat

BCI Cattle Chat

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

  1. 1d ago

    High Cattle Prices, Smart Investments, and Getting Started in the Cattle Business

    This episode focuses on how producers can take advantage of strong cattle prices, both by improving existing operations and by helping the next generation enter the industry. The discussion begins with ideas for reinvesting profits into long-term improvements such as water systems, fencing, grazing infrastructure, land enhancement projects, and other investments that may take years to fully pay off but can improve productivity and quality of life on the ranch. The hosts also explore diversification strategies, including alternative livestock enterprises, hunting-related income, and other complementary businesses that can provide revenue streams not directly tied to cattle markets. A key theme is balancing short-term opportunities with long-term sustainability through careful planning and strategic investments. The conversation then shifts to the challenges facing young people who want to enter the cattle industry during a period of historically high cattle values. The group emphasizes that aspiring producers do not need to start large and should instead look for ways to leverage labor, management skills, and relationships to gain access to cattle, land, or grazing opportunities. Examples include leasing cattle, custom grazing stocker cattle, entering partnerships, or gradually building an operation through small-scale opportunities. The hosts stress the importance of developing a written business plan, understanding costs and potential revenue, and seeking advice from experienced professionals such as lenders, extension agents, veterinarians, nutritionists, and other producers. Building strong personal networks and identifying mentors can be just as valuable as obtaining financial capital. Ultimately, the episode encourages producers to think strategically, invest wisely during profitable times, and recognize that successful cattle operations are often built gradually through planning, patience, and strong relationships.

  2. Aug 28

    Maintaining Beef Demand and Building the Next Generation Workforce

    This episode explores two important topics for the beef industry: long-term consumer demand for beef and strategies for workforce development. The discussion begins with a listener question about how changing cattle inventories, feed costs, and finishing weights could affect beef quality and consumer demand in the future. The hosts note that while heavier cattle and extended feeding periods have contributed to quality improvements, genetic progress has played an even larger role in maintaining high levels of marbling and eating satisfaction. They emphasize that taste, freshness, safety, and price remain the key drivers of beef demand, making it essential for producers to continue delivering a high-quality product. The group also discusses how shifts in feed costs and cattle numbers may influence production decisions, but they do not expect a dramatic decline in beef quality because of the industry’s long-term genetic improvements and management practices. Food safety and Beef Quality Assurance programs are highlighted as critical components for maintaining consumer trust and protecting demand. The second half of the episode focuses on labor shortages and workforce development in agriculture. Rather than expecting to hire fully trained employees, the hosts encourage producers to view workforce development as an investment, recognizing that inexperienced workers require training, mentorship, and time to become productive. They recommend creating internship or trial opportunities, partnering with organizations such as 4-H and FFA, and focusing on individuals who show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. The discussion emphasizes that successful workforce development often requires patience, realistic expectations, and a commitment to helping employees build skills over time. Ultimately, the episode concludes that both sustaining beef demand and developing future employees require long-term thinking, continuous improvement, and a willingness to invest in future success.

  3. Aug 21

    Finding Value in Every Class of Cattle: Records, Flexibility, and Management Decisions

    This episode features Nebraska cattle producer Rylee Blomenkamp, who discusses how her family’s operation manages a diverse mix of cattle, including feeder calves, yearlings, bred cows, open cows, bulls, and other opportunistic purchases. A central theme is the importance of identifying value in different classes of cattle and adapting management strategies to changing market conditions. Rylee explains that their operation succeeds by remaining flexible and taking advantage of opportunities that arise in local auction markets rather than focusing on a single type of livestock. The discussion highlights the role of detailed recordkeeping in evaluating profitability across multiple enterprises. Rather than treating the operation as one large business unit, the family tracks expenses, feed costs, and returns for different classes of cattle, allowing them to determine where value is being created and which enterprises are most profitable. Experts emphasize that even cow-calf producers can benefit from separately evaluating replacement heifers, cull cows, and feeder calves to improve decision-making. The group also discusses the importance of keeping cattle separated by age, size, and production purpose to better manage health and nutrition. Different groups require different feeding programs, health protocols, and marketing strategies, making thoughtful organization critical to success. Nutritional management is tailored to each class of cattle, from growing calves to bred cows and finishing animals, helping maximize performance while controlling costs. A key takeaway is that successful producers combine strong records with practical experience, using both data and market awareness to guide decisions. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that having a plan is important, but maintaining flexibility and adapting to changing conditions is often what creates long-term profitability and sustainability. This episode is sponsored by Ambrook.

  4. Aug 14

    Research Frontiers and Pain Management: Improving Cattle Health Through Better Decisions

    This episode features a discussion with several Beef Cattle Institute researchers who share updates on current projects aimed at improving cattle health, welfare, and production efficiency. Topics include new technologies for semen evaluation, investigations into feeding patterns associated with interstitial pneumonia and liver abscesses, machine learning tools for detecting pain in cattle, and research on how water quality affects livestock performance. These projects highlight the growing role of technology and data analysis in solving practical problems faced by producers. The group also addresses a listener question about weaning calves from large grazing allotments where producers have limited opportunities to handle animals before weaning. Rather than focusing solely on vaccines or medications, the discussion emphasizes reducing stress through strategies such as favorable weather conditions, low-stress weaning methods, gradual adaptation to feed and water sources, and thoughtful management of the overall system. A major segment focuses on pain management in cattle and how attitudes toward animal welfare have evolved over time. The panel discusses procedures such as castration, dehorning, branding, dystocia management, and prolapse repair, noting that pain mitigation can improve welfare even when production responses such as average daily gain are difficult to measure. Researchers argue that producers should consider broader outcomes, including animal comfort, health, recovery, and public expectations for livestock care. The conversation emphasizes that many producers genuinely want to provide the best care possible and are often willing to use pain-control tools when practical options are available. Ultimately, the episode highlights the value of systems thinking, continuous research, and proactive management in advancing both cattle well-being and industry sustainability.

  5. Aug 7

    BRD Around the World and the Economics of Creep Feeding

    This episode features a discussion with guest Dr. Selwyn Headley from Brazil, who shares insights into bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and how it compares to cases seen in North America. The group notes that many of the same bacterial and viral pathogens are involved in both regions, including Mannheimia, Histophilus, and several respiratory viruses, although some differences in prevalence and diagnostic findings exist. They emphasize that BRD is best viewed as a syndrome involving multiple pathogens and risk factors rather than a disease caused by a single organism. Common stressors such as transportation, commingling of cattle from multiple sources, and feedlot arrival continue to play major roles in disease development across both countries. The conversation then shifts to creep feeding, defined as providing feed that nursing calves can access while their dams cannot. The hosts explain that creep feeding is often considered when forage quality or quantity declines late in the grazing season and producers want to maintain calf growth. While creep feeding can increase weight gain, its economic value depends on feed costs, calf prices, forage conditions, and how much feed is actually converted into additional gain. The panel discusses how creep feed often substitutes for forage intake rather than reducing milk consumption, meaning it may not significantly improve cow body condition. They also note that feed type matters, with high-fiber feeds typically providing better supplementation and less forage substitution than starch-heavy grain sources. Additional considerations include the impacts on replacement heifers and breeding stock, where excessive energy intake at certain developmental stages may have long-term consequences. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of evaluating both biological responses and economic returns when deciding whether creep feeding is the right strategy for a particular operation.

  6. Jul 31

    Mineral Sources, Microbiomes, and Managing Cattle Health Beyond the Basics

    This episode explores two important but often misunderstood topics in cattle production: mineral supplementation and the microbiome. The discussion begins with a listener question about whether the source of minerals in a supplement matters. The hosts explain that mineral bioavailability can vary significantly depending on whether minerals are supplied as sulfates, chlorides, oxides, or organic complexes, and that not all sources are equally effective. For example, copper oxide has relatively poor bioavailability compared to copper sulfate, while other mineral sources differ less dramatically. Resource: https://ksubci.org/tools/calculators/ “Evaluating mineral feed tags for beef cattle” The group emphasizes that mineral needs are highly dependent on local soils, forage quality, and the presence of antagonistic compounds such as sulfur, iron, or molybdenum. As a result, selecting the right mineral program requires more than simply comparing prices and nutrient percentages on a feed tag. The conversation then shifts to the microbiome, defined as the community of microorganisms living within and on animals, particularly in the digestive tract. These microbes play critical roles in digestion, nutrient utilization, and overall health, especially in ruminants that depend on microbial fermentation to break down forage. The hosts note that research is increasingly showing links between the microbiome and broader physiological outcomes, including metabolism, disease susceptibility, and animal performance. They also discuss how management decisions, diet changes, stress, and antibiotic use can alter microbial populations, though many of those effects are not yet fully understood. While microbiome research remains in its early stages, the episode highlights its potential to reshape how producers think about health and nutrition, moving beyond the traditional view that all microbes are harmful and toward a more systems-based understanding of cattle production.

  7. Jul 24

    Separating Fact from Fiction: Evaluating New Technologies and Common Cattle Nutrition Myths

    This episode explores how cattle producers can make informed decisions when considering new technologies, products, or services for their operations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of evaluating both costs and benefits, including upfront expenses, recurring fees, labor savings, and potential productivity gains. Producers are encouraged to use tools such as partial budgets and spreadsheet-based “what-if” analyses to determine whether a technology is likely to provide a positive return in their specific operation. The hosts also stress that research results from other operations may not always translate directly to a producer’s own environment, making careful evaluation and limited on-farm testing valuable when possible. Examples such as virtual fencing, electronic identification systems, and feed additives illustrate the challenges of assigning economic value to both direct and indirect benefits. In the second half of the episode, the team tackles several common nutrition myths. They explain that while lush green grass often supplies adequate energy and protein, mineral supplementation may still be necessary depending on soil and forage conditions. They also note that mineral consumption is often driven more by salt intake than by a specific mineral deficiency. Discussion of creep feeding reveals that calves frequently substitute supplemental feed for forage rather than reducing milk consumption, making the economics highly situation-dependent. Finally, the hosts clarify that overfeeding replacement heifers can contribute to calving difficulty if they become excessively fat, but moderate increases in nutrition have relatively little effect on calf birth weight. Overall, the episode encourages producers to rely on careful analysis and evidence rather than assumptions when making management decisions.

  8. Jul 17

    Bigger Cattle, Bigger Questions: Feed Costs, Corn Demand, and Pasture Lease Strategies

    This episode tackles two listener questions with significant implications for cattle producers. The first explores how increasing cattle carcass weights affect corn demand and feed efficiency. The discussion estimates that an average increase of 36 pounds in carcass weight requires roughly 257 additional pounds of corn per animal, adding up to a substantial amount nationally, although it represents less than 1% of total U.S. corn use. Despite declining feed efficiency and average daily gain as cattle get larger, feeding cattle to heavier weights can remain profitable because a greater proportion of the added weight ends up in the carcass rather than in non-marketable tissues. The hosts explain that heavier cattle help offset the effects of historically low cattle inventories by increasing total beef production without requiring more animals. This additional production helps meet strong consumer demand and moderates beef prices that might otherwise be even higher. The second topic focuses on leasing cropland for pasture when improvements such as fencing, water infrastructure, and forage establishment are required. Panelists emphasize that successful pasture lease agreements begin with clear communication and should account for who pays for improvements, how long the lease will last, and what happens to infrastructure when the lease ends. They note that arrangements can vary widely, from landowners paying for materials to tenants absorbing costs in exchange for longer lease terms or reduced rental rates. Written agreements and careful financial planning are strongly encouraged to protect both parties and ensure that long-term investments can be recovered. Overall, the episode highlights how thoughtful economic analysis and upfront communication can lead to better decisions throughout the cattle production chain.

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4.8
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124 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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