Bovine Science with BCI

On Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss a 2025 study in the Canadian Journal of Animal Science on factors influencing heifer replacement and cow-calf profitability. The study focused on cow feed efficiency, longevity, heterosis, and lifetime productivity. Key findings include the importance of longevity, with heifers staying longer in the herd being more profitable. Crossbreeding, particularly those with more heterosis, reduced costs. Residual feed intake (RFI) was crucial, with lower RFI cows being more efficient and cost-effective. The study used data from 2011 to 2018, accounting for economic fluctuations, and found no significant differences between breeds. Article Discussed: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385812533_Effects_of_cow_feed_efficiency_longevity_heterosis_and_lifetime_productivity_on_profitability_of_heifer_selection_and_cow-calf_operations 

Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discuss a study on bovine coronavirus and its role in respiratory disease in cattle. The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, used a challenge model with 15 challenge calves and six control calves. Results showed higher viral shedding in challenge calves. PCR detected bovine coronavirus in multiple tissues but not in the lungs or tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Histopathology scores indicated more pathology in challenge calves, but clinical signs were mild. The study suggests bovine coronavirus may play a role in mild respiratory disease but not in severe pneumonia, possibly acting as a co-factor for secondary infections. Article Discussed: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.878240/full

On this week’s episode of Diving into Diets Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster discuss a 2025 study on grazing behavior in cattle, focusing on factors like age, size, hide color, and forage quality. The study tracked 40 cows using GPS collars over three years, finding that older cows traveled further distances, possibly due to learning topography. Red cows traveled more in cold temperatures due to better heat retention from black hides. The study also noted that cows traveled further to high-quality forage areas, as measured by NDVI and IRG, and up slopes and to water sources. The study’s individual hypothesis testing approach limited the interpretation of confounding variables like production stage and weather. Article Discussed: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871141325001258?via%3Dihub 

Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss the failure of passive transfer in beef herds, highlighting differences from dairy cattle. Risk factors included calves born to heifers, twins, and assisted births. Higher body condition scores in cows also correlated with lower IgG levels. The study emphasized the importance of colostrum intake, especially in high-risk situations. The discussion emphasizes the need for targeted management strategies in beef cattle. Article Discussed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2643452/

In About the Abstract, the experts discuss a study by Cordial and Carrie (2024) in the Journal of Animal Science, which compared the impact of metaphylaxis with Tulathromycin versus saline on high-risk beef stocker calves over 42 days. The study found that calves treated with Tulathromycin had higher average daily gain, especially in the first 14 days, and fewer treatments for respiratory disease. Culture results showed more bacteria in saline-treated calves at follow-up. Antimicrobial use was higher in the Tulathromycin group, but the number of regimens was similar. The study suggests that metaphylaxis may improve health and performance while managing antimicrobial resistance. Featured Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38126883

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

In this Tox Talk episode, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz review a case involving six dead calves out of 38 fall-calving cow–calf pairs on pasture. The producer had not been checking the herd frequently, making the exact timeline of deaths unclear. With at least one calf estimated to have been dead for 4–5 days. They emphasize how decomposition, weather, and time since death affect necropsy value. Initial differential diagnoses focus on infectious causes and potential toxicities, given that only calves were affected.

Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss a case where a client found an aborted fetus in their herd. Dr. Larson suggests identifying the aborting animal, collecting samples from the fetus, including the placenta, lung, liver, and brain, and holding them for further analysis. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the herd’s history, including the age and origin of the cows, and potential causes like Neospora, IVR, BVD, and feed contamination.

On today’s episode of Herd Health, Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White talk about a ranch that reported weaned calves with bloody diarrhea after being mixed from four pastures. Coccidiosis was at the top of the list for possible issues, with other potential causes to look at. They discuss potential cases of bloody diarrhea and the ways to treat and prevent the issues. 

In this episode of Diving into Diets, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Phillip Lancaster finish up the essential oils in feed rations series with another article. The experts discuss how essential oils compare to commonly used feed additives like Monensin. Article Discussed: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S109002332100054X

In this episode of Bovine Science, Dr. Phillip Lancaster continues the series with an article that looks into the use of essential oils in feed rations. In part two of the Essential Oils in Rations series, they talk about the different benefits and effects of adding the oils to your feed. Article Discussed: https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/8/6/254

A 2,000 cow dairy is seeing high culling rates due to lameness but not the typical lameness they are used to. What is wrong? Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz will discuss. The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley, and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producers in the field.

In this episode of Bovine Science, Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings an article that looked into the use of essential oils in feed rations. The experts go over this paper and the styles of research groups used for the experiment. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377840124000841

In this episode of Bovine Science, Dr. Bob Larson and Dr. Brad White discuss nutritional plans for your cow herd through the winter. They go through the cost difference between high-quality hay and low-quality hay with supplements. They also discuss how to avoid having your cows calve at a lighter weight. 

On this episode of After the Abstract, Dr. Todd Gunderson brings a research article which looks at the effects of backfat thickness on results of a breeding soundness exam. Dr. Brad White and Dr. Gunderson go through the article and discuss the issues this study addressed as well as the potential affects of this research. Article discussed: Relationship between phenotypic subcutaneous backfat thickness and spermiogram outcomes in young beef bulls

For this episode of Bovine Science Dr. Phillip Lancaster brings an article which looks at feeding live yeast. This episode is based on a listener question, if you have a listener question email in to bci@ksu.edu.

For this edition Dr. Brad White is joined by Dr. Matt Miesner to discuss lame calves. When a calf gets stepped on, kicked or ran over it can be a costly loss for producers. They go over the different options producers have when a calf breaks its front or back leg. Thanks for listening.

When a large dairy operation finds seven young calves dead, they seek help from the toxicologists. What happened and how can they prevent it from happening in the future? Brad White and Scott Fritz go over this case and answer those questions. Thanks for listening! KSVDL Toxicology: https://ksvdl.org/laboratories/toxicology/ The toxicology website and Bovine Sciences with BCI podcasts have been sponsored in part through a veterinary services grant that Dr. Scott Fritz, Dr. Steve Ensley and Dr. Bob Larson have received to share more toxicology information and examples for people to understand what to submit and how to submit. Another part of that grant has been working with people and producer in the field.

This week on After the Abstract Todd Gunderson brings an article which analyzes the different methods for tritrichomonas testing in bulls. They break down the research and look at the findings as well as implications this could have on the beef industry. Article Discussed: Differences in pain and trauma caused by common sampling devices used in the United States for Tritrichomonas foetus testing in bulls

On this episode of Bovine Science Phillip Lancaster and Brad White discuss a recent research paper from UC Davis which looks at a bromoform based feed additive. They discuss the paper’s findings as well as it’s possible implications. Article Discussed: The effect of Rumin8 Investigational Veterinary Product—a bromoform based feed additive—on enteric methane emissions, animal production parameters, and the rumen environment in feedlot cattle