Cow Talks

Marcelo Wallau and Chris Prevatt

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Cow Talks with Dr. Marcelo Wallau, UF/IFAS Forage Extension Specialist and Chris Prevatt, Beef Cattle and Forage Commodity Director for the Alabama Farmers Federation. This podcast is tailored towards producers and extension agents in Florida. For more information and transcripts of the episodes, visit https://www.wallauforages.com/ under the Extension tab.

6D AGO

Protecting Your Horses from Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau discusses the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) with expert Dr. Sally Donata, and extension agents Jennifer Bearden and Amanda Masholie. They explore how EHV is transmitted and the importance of biosecurity measures in equestrian events. The conversation also covers post-event protocols for horse owners to reduce the risk of exposure on farms. The experts emphasize the significance of industry response and the need for ongoing vigilance in maintaining equine health. We also discussed the emerging threat of New World Screwworm, and explained the recent news of screwworm in an imported animal, which is not related to the large issue of the expansion of the flies in Mexico, close to the Texas border.

26 min
JAN 30

Know Your Heifer: Paths to Reproductive Efficiency in Florida Beef Herds

In this episode of Cow Talks, University of Florida specialists Dr. Marcelo Wallau and Dr. Mario Binelli break down why understanding heifer maturity is one of the most powerful levers for improving reproductive and economic efficiency in Southeastern beef systems. Drawing on UF’s statewide “Know Your Heifer” project and data from over 5,000 heifers, the conversation explores how tools like reproductive tract scoring and progesterone-based protocols can dramatically improve pregnancy rates. The episode connects physiology and management offering producers practical insight into how earlier cycling and targeted reproductive technologies can lead to more resilient production systems in Florida’s environment. For more on Know Your Heifer, check out the following link: https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/kyh/

36 min
JAN 23

The Renaissance of Forage Agriculture: The Role of Livestock in a Sustainable and Healthier World

In our first episode of 2026, host Marcelo Wallau welcomes Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, an advocate for forage and livestock agriculture around the world. Peter travels the world to connect with people from all areas, from farmers to physicians, from agronomist to dietitians, and educate the public about the importance livestock agriculture has in feeding a healthier and more sustainable world. Peter has been a strong advocate for animal protein-based diets as a way to combat malnourishment and metabolic disorders. Here, he shares with us a bit of his trajectory and his thoughts about how we, as farmers and educators, can engage with the public to tell our story, and share the relevance of the work we do.

41 min
12/26/2025

Wrapping up 2025!

Join Marcelo Wallau as he wraps up an incredible year for Cow Talks, thanking listeners and guests alike for the best season yet. Tune in for insights and a look ahead to more engaging content in the new year.

6 min
12/19/2025

2025 Recap: The Cattle Market

In this episode, Marcelo Wallau, Chris Prevatt, and Hannah Baker reflect on 2025 as a pivotal year for the beef cattle industry. They look back on how market trends, rising production costs, shifting consumer demand, and pressures from imports shaped the year, while examining the consequences of historically low cattle inventories. The discussion also revisits the challenges posed by screwworm and what they revealed about industry preparedness and risk management. Together, the hosts consider what 2025 taught producers and what those lessons may mean as the industry moves into 2026 and beyond.

55 min
12/12/2025

The Role of Grasslands

Join us in this episode from our sister podcast, Forage Nexus, where we delve into the world of grasslands and their pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. We bring in Dr. Lynn Sollenberger, a renowned expert in forage systems. Hosted by Marcelo Wallau, Lilian Silva, and Bruno Pedreira, this episode features insights about the vast scale of grasslands, their impact on ecosystems, and the unique benefits they offer to our society and environment.

22 min
12/05/2025

Research in Perspective: Mastering Bahia Grass Growth

In this episode of Our Research in Perspective, host Marcelo Wallau speaks with Renan Pedro Becker, a Master's degree student at the University of Florida. Renan is working with new tetraploid (Argentine-type) bahiagrass materials. This conversation focuses on management strategies to increase seed production. Becker explains how short mowing height in late spring, at the beginning of the reproductive phase, can increase tillering and, therefore, seed production. His work is part of an effort with the Forage Breeding team to develop and evaluate new bahiagrass materials for future cultivar release.

16 min
11/21/2025

Research in Perspective: Legumes in Pasture Systems

In this episode of Research in Perspective, host Marcelo Wallau speaks with Dr. Nicolas Caram, a recent PhD graduate from our Agronomy Department. The conversation is about the balance of legumes and grasses in pasture systems. They delve into the productive, environmental and economic impacts of legume integration, exploring how different proportions of legumes in pasture can affect animal performance and pasture productivity. Nico shares insights from his research on the importance of legumes in grass-based pastures and discusses the challenges and benefits of establishing perennial peanut.

27 min

Cow Talks with Dr. Marcelo Wallau, UF/IFAS Forage Extension Specialist and Chris Prevatt, Beef Cattle and Forage Commodity Director for the Alabama Farmers Federation. This podcast is tailored towards producers and extension agents in Florida. For more information and transcripts of the episodes, visit https://www.wallauforages.com/ under the Extension tab.

Creator

Marcelo Wallau and Chris Prevatt
Years Active

2K
Episodes

61
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Marcelo Wallau and Chris Prevatt
Show Website

Cow Talks