Bovine Science with BCI

In this episode of Herd Health on Bovine Science, the experts discuss a recent study on factors associated with bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) failure. The veterinarians explain that both intrinsic factors, such as age and prior failure, and extrinsic factors, such as season and environmental conditions, influence whether a bull passes or fails. They highlight that sperm morphology is one of t...

In this episode of BCI After the Abstract, the veterinarians explore a pharmacokinetic study on the use of methylene blue in cattle to determine safe withdrawal periods after treatment. The experts walk through how researchers tracked drug levels in blood, milk, and tissues to estimate when residues fall below safe thresholds. They emphasize that previous guidance lacked data, forcing veterinarian...

In this episode of Diving Into Diets on Bovine Science with BCI, the experts discuss a 2025 meta-analysis comparing organic and inorganic trace mineral supplementation in beef cattle during preconditioning and feedlot receiving. They explain the biological differences between mineral sources and review results from about 20 studies included in the analysis. Overall, organic minerals showed a small...

In this week’s episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the team discusses research on reducing heat stress in feedlot cattle and best practices for managing calf scours. Guest Maddie Mancke, a PhD candidate, explains her study comparing morning feeding with nighttime feeding to see whether shifting digestion-related heat production to cooler hours would benefit cattle. The results showed no performance differ...

This episode of After the Abstract reviews a 2025 study on managing Johne’s disease in beef cattle using different testing and culling strategies in a modeled 300-cow herd. The results showed that testing cows every six months reduced disease prevalence the most, but was the least profitable strategy, even compared with doing nothing. Testing every 24 months provided the best economic balance, low...

In this episode of Herd Health, the experts review a 2025 study evaluating whether modified live virus (MLV) vaccines can be given at the time of CIDR placement for timed AI in beef cows. In previously vaccinated, multiparous cows about 80 days postpartum, administering an MLV vaccine at synchronization did not negatively affect estrus response, AI pregnancy rates, overall pregnancy rates, pregnan...

On this episode of Tox Talk, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Scott Fritz discuss a case where eight bred cows were moved into a barn ahead of a winter storm and were found dead the next morning. While initial concerns focused on the barn environment, testing revealed the cause was acute nitrate poisoning from newly introduced millet hay containing high nitrate levels. Nitrate toxicity can cause rapid death...

In this episode of Diving into Diets, the discussion examines how different phosphorus and calcium diets affect phosphorus retention, milk composition, calf growth, and bone status in beef cattle. While cows on lower-phosphorus diets maintained milk production and calf growth in the short term, they mobilized phosphorus from bone, unlike cows on high-phosphorus, high-calcium diets. The takeaway is...

This episode of Herd Health explores how cattle producers and veterinarians can choose the most effective estrus synchronization and fixed-time AI protocols for heifers and cows. Dr. Bob Larson explains that there is no single “best” protocol. Instead, the right choice depends on factors such as whether you are dealing with heifers or cows, time available, group size, handling logistics, and cost....

In this episode of About the Abstract, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Todd Gunderson discussed a study that tested whether water intake can predict bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The study’s main finding was that water intake decreased 1–2 days before BRD treatment or diagnosis. The study also found that the amount of water consumed mattered more than the number of visits or the time spent at the water...

On Dividing into Diets, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Philip Lancaster explore how a ruminant’s diet influences the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, created through the fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins in the rumen. They explain that different types of feed support different bacterial populations, shifting the balance of VFAs. For example, gr...

On today’s episode of Herd Health, Dr. Brad White and Dr. Bob Larson discuss how to choose the best synchronization protocol for artificial insemination in cattle. They explain the differences between protocols for heifers and cows, including timing, hormone use, and management considerations. The discussion highlights the importance of resources like the Beef Reproduction Task Force website and f...

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...

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 tracheobronchi...

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 d...

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 emphasize...

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....

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 app...

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 val...

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...

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 inf...

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