Microbials Matter

In livestock farming few topics come up more often than the weather. Today, Dr. Haas breaks down how wet, damp conditions can quickly take a toll on cattle. During spring and fall, moisture and wind can impact both calves and cows, making proper management and nutrients critical. Providing shelter from the wind and dry bedding are key steps to protect cattle from dampness. Supporting immune health...

It has been one year since Bio-Vet announced they were part of Anpario . So what has changed in this past year and what is on the horizon for these companies? Dr. Nate Haas joins us to reflect on the last 12 months and to give us a taste of things to come. One thing that has not changed in Bio-Vet’s commitment to farmers. Through feedback received, Bio-Vet has been able to develop a Bovine G...

We continue our discussion on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in this episode, with a focus on baby calves. The first 24 hours are critical, as the GI microbiome begins to establish and interact with the enteric nervous system. While this microbiome evolves rapidly as new feedstuffs are introduced and calves gain more environmental exposure, the foundation laid early on helps set the stage for imm...

Ruminant digestion primarily takes place in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with the small intestine playing a key role. The surface area and microbiome of the GI tract are essential for effective nutrient absorption and for building immune defenses in the animal. In this episode, Dr. Haas discusses the importance of the GI tract and ways to support this critical component of the digestive system...

The animal nutrition and health support industry is always advancing, with new products regularly entering the market. But what does it take for a product to go from concept to reality? In this episode, Dr. Haas and Dr. Luis Solorzano—Bio-Vet’s new Director of Applied Research and Technical Services—discuss the development and evaluation process behind new products. They also exp...

Water is the most vital nutrient—no debate. Traditionally, it has been easier to monitor the hydration of younger animals. However, tracking water intake in older livestock presents a challenge. How can you measure water consumption, if at all? Dr. Haas explores the impact of dehydration, even at the cellular level, and shares best practices for ensuring animals have access to high-quality w...

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At first glance, it may seem like all microbes and microbial products are practically the same. However, if you take a closer look, there is more to the story. There is a difference when it comes to the quantity of microbials and knowledge of how direct fed microbials interact within the body and each other. Bio-Vet is a trusted source on all things microbials thanks to thirty years in the industr...

Not all microorganisms were created equal and every farm has microorganisms. Dr. Haas walks us through the story of microbiology focusing on what types of organisms exist, how they are classified, and most importantly what that means for animal health. One of the best defenses to detrimental microbes is beneficial microbes. These microbes coupled with attention to animal care and management can go...

The story of microbiology and microbes is interwoven with management and animal health. Dr. Haas takes a bigger picture look at how this story ties together with industry changes, preventative measures, and price volatility. The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has brought about changes in relationships with veterinarians and how farmers manage animal health and preventative care. Since the use of...

Bio-Vet has been a leader in ruminant nutrition innovation for over 30 years. Founded by Dr. Bill Zimmer, the company recognized early on the critical role the rumen and small intestine microbes play in not only digestion but overall animal health. This insight led to the development of a diverse range of products designed to support animal health. Now, Bio-Vet is entering an exciting new chapter...

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact animals across the U.S., with no immediate signs of slowing down. Since keeping wild birds off farms is nearly impossible, what steps can farmers take to help curb the spread? Advancements in testing and technology are playing a crucial role. For example, rumen monitors can detect drops in rumen activity days before physical symptoms app...

Livestock owners and managers are well-acquainted with the risks diseases pose to their herds and livelihoods. In this episode, Dr. Nate Haas explores the history of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, hoof-and-mouth disease, and BSE, which have significantly impacted production agriculture. Discover effective management practices to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and gain insights...

Given the volatility of today’s prices and weather, protecting livestock has become more important than ever. Prices for youngstock continue to soar among dairy and beef herds. So how do we get the best productive life and growth out of these animals? With good management and health support with microbials, along with a strong relationship with our management team, we can achieve success. Research...

Across the US, temperatures are starting to fall as the winter season sets in. While the heat of the summer can bring the onset of heat stress within hours, cold stress brings a different set of challenges during cooler temperatures. Dr. Nate Haas, Director of Applied Research and Technical Services, talks about how much more energy is needed when it gets colder and that slug feeding may not be th...

In this episode, we chat with Gary Grimsman, National Sales Director for Bio-Vet. He has over 25 years of experience with Bio-Vet and talks about what he has seen on farms from north to south and east to west. Take time to listen to his stories of how the industry has changed and why he loves what he does. No matter the size or management style, Bio-Vet has something for everyone to help support h...

2023 has seen one of the most difficult and diverse growing seasons on record. Coast to coast there were either unprecedented rains or one of the driest years on record. This year’s crops were not only a challenge to grow and harvest but so was quality and consistency. Dr. Nathan Haas discusses how this year’s crop will play into animal health and productivity for the next several months. He also...

From 30 to 90 days, calves' need to grow and develop the rumen, so they support their growth on grains and forages. However, so many times our weaning benchmarks are not taking into consideration stress, the changes that need to occur in the microbiome, and how much management is needed. Dr. Zimmer discusses popular benchmarks and how we can best support animals during weaning to have them continu...

Newborn calves experience a variety of stressors coupled with high energy needs. In this episode of Microbials Matter, Dr. Zimmer walks us through the management and nutritional support we can provide calves within the first moments of life, up to the first 30 days. He also discusses how calves prioritize energy and why providing nutritional support is vital almost immediately. For information or...

Acidosis is one of the hardest metabolic disorders for dairy farmers to identify. Oftentimes we are unaware of sub-acute cases and symptoms often only show in severe cases. So how do we negate this disease that can affect calves on up to mature cows? Listen along as we hear from Dr. William Zimmer about acidosis and what steps can be taken to give animals their best nutritional support. For inform...

As temperatures and humidity rise, so does the risk of heat stress and dehydration, across species. Keeping a close eye on animals becomes critical along with clean, fresh water and electrolytes. Dr. Zimmer talks through a holistic approach to heat stress and dehydration and what steps can help support animals during this vulnerable time period. For information or additional episodes, visit Bio-Ve...

Milk fever is more than just a lack of calcium. It’s a delicate balance of calcium, hormones, pH and more. And while the obvious answer seems to be to add more calcium to prevent milk fever or to IV every cow, you may be doing more harm than good. Learn how nutrition, coupled with the right calcium supplements at the right time can lead to even more productive cows. For information or additional e...

Energy balance is KEY to preventing a myriad of health issues in cattle, especially metabolic diseases in early lactation. Join Dr. Zimmer and Dr. Haas as they talk about how subclinical ketosis has a domino effect for the health of a dairy cow. They also discuss the most susceptible time frames for ketosis and how to navigate this energy balance ballet. For information or additional episodes, vis...

How can we help livestock, help themselves? In this episode of Microbials Matter, we explore the nature of microbes and the microbiome that drives the health and productivity of animals. Dr. Zimmer sits down to chat about microbial and nutritional support and how we arrived here today. For information or additional episodes, visit  Bio-Vet.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.