The Moos Room™

In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad and Emily are joined by Katie Schmitt from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to discuss the organization's role in managing genetic evaluations and the National Cooperator Database. Katie, a Minnesota native, shares insights into the CDCB's work, including their transition from USDA oversight to an independent nonprofit, ensuring the stewardship of...

 In this solo episode of The Moos Room , Emily discusses essential cold weather safety tips for farmers and agricultural workers. With below-zero temperatures in Minnesota, Emily emphasizes the importance of recognizing cold stress symptoms like hypothermia and frostbite, dressing in proper moisture-wicking layers, and using safe heating practices. She shares practical advice on layering clothing,...

In this episode, Emily and Brad discuss winter barn fire prevention, highlighting common causes such as outdated wiring and heating equipment. They share real-life stories, practical tips for maintaining safety, and the importance of annual inspections, clean barns, fire extinguishers, and emergency action plans. Don’t let a preventable fire impact your farm—tune in for actionable advice to keep y...

In the first episode of 2025, Brad dives into a real-life case study of a calf that succumbed to coccidiosis at the University of Minnesota's research center. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and prevention of this parasitic disease, along with insights on how early detection and better management practices can make all the difference. This episode is packed with valuable tips for improving calf...

Join us for The Moos Room's epic year-end wrap-up! We’re looking back at 2024’s biggest highlights, revisiting key episodes, and sharing what’s ahead for the world of agriculture. From exciting research on dairy-beef crossbreeding and agrivoltaics to breakthroughs in calf and heifer feed efficiency, methane emissions, and fatty acid profiles, we’ve got plenty to explore. Plus, we tackle important...

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it also brings unique challenges for farmers managing livestock and family life in the depths of winter. In this episode of The Moos Room , we tackle the stress and winter blues that often accompany shorter days, colder temperatures, and holiday demands. Join us as we share practical tips for staying resilient, maintaining mental health, and finding joy...

In this episode of The Moos Room, we dive into cutting-edge research on a camera-based technology for detecting lameness in dairy cattle. Lameness is a significant issue impacting animal welfare and the economic sustainability of dairy farms. We discuss a recent study that evaluated how autonomous locomotion scoring aligns with hoof health data, highlighting its potential for early lesion detectio...

We’re diving into the creation and purpose of ManureDB, a groundbreaking database developed to modernize and enhance the accuracy of manure book values in the U.S. With most current values dating back to pre-2003 samples, researchers at the University of Minnesota, led by Drs. Melissa Wilson and Erin Cortus, received a NIFA grant to address this gap. ManureDB is a dynamic tool built in partnership...

USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza. USDA Press Release National Milk Testing Strategy Roadmap: National Milk Testing Strategy Enhance Biose...

In this episode of The Moos Room , we dive into the world of dairy calf monitoring with cutting-edge sensor technologies. We explore how tools like CowManager , ST Genetics FarmFit , and Merck's SenseHub Dairy are transforming calf health management. Plus, we share insights from the latest research at the University of Minnesota WCROC Dairy , highlighting how these technologies are being applied i...

Dive into the evolving world of DHIA! This episode explores milk fatty acids, ELISA testing for Johne's and Leukosis, new RFID tags for official ID, cutting-edge DHIA meters, and more. Discover how DHIA is more than just milk, fat, protein, and SCC—it's the future of herd management!   Minnesota DHIA National DHIA Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3...

H5N1 virus found in Martin County, Minnesota backyard poultry (ducks and guinea fowl).  Pennsylvania starts mandatory bulk tank milk surveillance for H5N1.  Hawaii has first case of H5N1 in backyard poultry flock.  Remember biosecurity practices are the best way to limit the spread of H5N1. Enhance Biosecurity Dairy Herd Status Program MN FAQ Document MN Department of Health request for PPE UMN Ex...

We dive into the latest Bovine Leukosis (BLV) control strategies from a University of Minnesota dairy study at our herd in Morris. Learn how testing revealed a 28% BLV prevalence and the steps being taken to manage high-shedding cows. We also discuss best practices for preventing BLV transmission and improving herd health. Don't miss these actionable insights for your farm! Questions, comments, sc...

Today, we’re diving into the lush world of red clover and its game-changing impact on dairy rations. We talk with Juan Romero, Forage Specialist at the University of Maine, and recurring guest, Glenda Pereira, University of Maine Dairy Extension Specialist.  We’ll explore how Freedom Red Clover boosts forage quality, why hitting that sweet spot of at least seven layers for baleage wrapping is non-...

H5N1 virus found in a pig and USDA announces more bulk tank milk surveillance for H5N1.  Remember biosecurity practices are the best way to limit the spread of H5N1. Enhance Biosecurity Dairy Herd Status Program MN FAQ Document MN Department of Health request for PPE UMN Extension News USDA APHIS - Website FDA Updates Page MN Board of Animal Health - Website Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals...

If you have Jersey or Holstein cows, have you noticed that they tend to produce less colostrum during the fall and winter months? In some cases, this reduction is reported as a complete lack of colostrum. Despite these observations, the causes remain largely unknown. Join Brad and Emily along with Pete Erickson, from University of New Hampshire and Tess Stahl from Rutgers University to discuss col...

Brad Heins dives into an insightful calf-rearing project at the University of Minnesota Morris dairy herd, exploring the impacts of different rearing methods: individual housing, paired housing, group housing, and calves raised directly on cows. Heins discusses the benefits, challenges, and key findings from each approach, offering valuable insights for dairy farmers seeking to optimize calf healt...

In this episode of The Moos Room, we’re joined by Miranda Meehan from North Dakota State University (NDSU) to explore an innovative project that evaluates how virtual fencing technology can enhance grazing efficiency on annual forages. Tune in as we discuss the benefits of these emerging grazing tools, how they work, and their potential to optimize pasture management for farmers and ranchers. Mira...

Disbudding Dairy Calves at WCROC Alternatives for Disbudding of Dairy Calves Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directo...

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy Extension Website AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

The OG3 sit down with Dr. Gary Bosch, Executive Vice President of Medgene, a prescription platform vaccine company. We discuss how to Medgene can help producers and veterinarians.  Medgenelabs.com Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message! Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety Facebook -> @UMNDairy YouTube -> UMN Be...