Bovine Science with BCI

This episode examines how beef producers can improve parasite control by using dewormers strategically rather than treating all cattle routinely. Drawing from a 2026 literature review authored by researchers at Mississippi State University, the discussion highlights how internal parasites can significantly affect cattle health and productivity, particularly in younger animals. Young calves, stocke...

This episode examines whether feeding additional vitamin A to cows before calving can improve the vitamin A status of their calves. Reviewing two dairy research studies, the hosts explore how late-gestation supplementation affects vitamin A levels in colostrum, milk, and newborn calves. In the first study, cows received vitamin A at levels slightly above recommended requirements, but researchers f...

This episode examines whether feeding additional vitamin A to cows before calving can improve the vitamin A status of their calves. Reviewing two dairy research studies, the hosts explore how late-gestation supplementation affects vitamin A levels in colostrum, milk, and newborn calves. In the first study, cows received vitamin A at levels slightly above recommended requirements, but researchers f...

Recorded live at the Kansas State Fair birthing center, this episode highlights the educational value of exposing the public to livestock production and animal health. The hosts discuss how the birthing center allows visitors to observe the calving process firsthand while learning about normal births, signs of labor, and situations that may require veterinary intervention. Through stories from vet...

This episode examines a 2026 study that explored whether pre-breeding behavior can predict which bulls will sire the most calves in multi-sire breeding pastures. Researchers fitted bulls with collars containing accelerometers and proximity sensors to objectively measure activity levels and social interactions before the breeding season. The goal was to determine whether behavioral traits such as a...

This episode examines a 2026 study that explored whether pre-breeding behavior can predict which bulls will sire the most calves in multi-sire breeding pastures. Researchers fitted bulls with collars containing accelerometers and proximity sensors to objectively measure activity levels and social interactions before the breeding season. The goal was to determine whether behavioral traits such as a...

This episode explores how vitamin A nutrition in late-gestation cows affects both maternal health and the vitamin A status of newborn calves. The discussion builds on previous conversations about calf vitamin A deficiencies, emphasizing that colostrum is the primary source of vitamin A for newborn calves and that deficiencies early in life can persist for weeks or months. The hosts review two rese...

This episode explores how vitamin A nutrition in late-gestation cows affects both maternal health and the vitamin A status of newborn calves. The discussion builds on previous conversations about calf vitamin A deficiencies, emphasizing that colostrum is the primary source of vitamin A for newborn calves and that deficiencies early in life can persist for weeks or months. The hosts review two rese...

This case study examines a situation where a producer attempted to control a heavy fly burden by spraying cattle with a topical insecticide, only to have several cows develop severe toxic signs within hours. Affected animals became recumbent, excessively salivated, developed diarrhea, experienced respiratory distress, and showed muscle tremors and weakness, raising immediate concerns about insecti...

This case study examines a situation where a producer attempted to control a heavy fly burden by spraying cattle with a topical insecticide, only to have several cows develop severe toxic signs within hours. Affected animals became recumbent, excessively salivated, developed diarrhea, experienced respiratory distress, and showed muscle tremors and weakness, raising immediate concerns about insecti...

In this episode of Bovine Science, we examine a 2024 Journal of Animal Science study that used hundreds of thousands of cattle records to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on fertility in beef cattle. The study evaluated traits including calving date, calving interval, first-calf interval, early calving, and heifer pregnancy. The discussion highlights that most fertility traits...

In this episode of Bovine Science, we examine a 2024 Journal of Animal Science study that used hundreds of thousands of cattle records to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on fertility in beef cattle. The study evaluated traits including calving date, calving interval, first-calf interval, early calving, and heifer pregnancy. The discussion highlights that most fertility traits...

This episode reviews a 2026 study investigating whether a modified-live Mycoplasma bovis vaccine can help protect young calves from one of the most frustrating respiratory disease pathogens in the cattle industry. The researchers conducted a controlled challenge trial in neonatal calves, comparing vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups after exposure to Mycoplasma bovis . The results showed several...

This episode reviews a 2026 study investigating whether a modified-live Mycoplasma bovis vaccine can help protect young calves from one of the most frustrating respiratory disease pathogens in the cattle industry. The researchers conducted a controlled challenge trial in neonatal calves, comparing vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups after exposure to Mycoplasma bovis. The results showed several e...

This episode focuses on some of the most challenging cases veterinarians encounter: cattle with vague signs such as weight loss, poor condition, or an unexplained death where no obvious cause is apparent. Dr. Scott Fritz explains that these situations are often far more difficult than classic acute poisonings because there is rarely a clear syndrome, exposure event, or obvious diagnostic clue. Ins...

This episode focuses on some of the most challenging cases veterinarians encounter: cattle with vague signs such as weight loss, poor condition, or an unexplained death where no obvious cause is apparent. Dr. Scott Fritz explains that these situations are often far more difficult than classic acute poisonings because there is rarely a clear syndrome, exposure event, or obvious diagnostic clue. Ins...

This episode examines a 2025 study that investigated whether modified-live or killed viral vaccines influence bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) results. The research addressed a common practical question among producers and veterinarians who are concerned that vaccination before breeding season might negatively affect fertility. Researchers randomly assigned mature bulls to receive either a modif...

This episode examines a 2025 study that investigated whether modified-live or killed viral vaccines influence bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) results. The research addressed a common practical question among producers and veterinarians who are concerned that vaccination before breeding season might negatively affect fertility. Researchers randomly assigned mature bulls to receive either a modif...

This episode explores the role of vitamin A in beef cow-calf systems and examines why some calves develop low vitamin A levels and respiratory disease even while grazing alongside cows on green pasture. The discussion highlights that vitamin A nutrition is more complex than simply having access to lush forage, because cattle primarily consume beta-carotene from grass, which must be converted into...

This episode explores the role of vitamin A in beef cow-calf systems and examines why some calves develop low vitamin A levels and respiratory disease even while grazing alongside cows on green pasture. The discussion highlights that vitamin A nutrition is more complex than simply having access to lush forage, because cattle primarily consume beta-carotene from grass, which must be converted into...

This episode reviews a 2026 Canadian study that evaluated whether vaccinating beef calves against bovine coronavirus could reduce pre-weaning respiratory disease in a commercial cow-calf herd with a history of respiratory problems. The researchers compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves under real-world ranch conditions, making the findings especially relevant for producers facing similar ch...

This episode reviews a 2026 Canadian study that evaluated whether vaccinating beef calves against bovine coronavirus could reduce pre-weaning respiratory disease in a commercial cow-calf herd with a history of respiratory problems. The researchers compared vaccinated and non-vaccinated calves under real-world ranch conditions, making the findings especially relevant for producers facing similar ch...

This case study examines a tragic incident in which 14 open heifers died within hours of being separated from a larger group following pregnancy testing. The heifers had been placed in a familiar holding pasture with a functioning water source and secure fencing, leading managers to initially believe the environment was safe. When all 14 animals were found dead later that day, investigators quickl...

This case study examines a tragic incident in which 14 open heifers died within hours of being separated from a larger group following pregnancy testing. The heifers had been placed in a familiar holding pasture with a functioning water source and secure fencing, leading managers to initially believe the environment was safe. When all 14 animals were found dead later that day, investigators quickl...

This case study follows the investigation of a puzzling eye disease outbreak affecting approximately 10% of a group of 1,200 stocker cattle shortly after processing and placement on pasture. The affected animals developed severe eye lesions, including corneal cloudiness, swollen eyelids, redness, and inflammation, but lacked many of the classic ulcers typically associated with pinkeye. Because cas...