The Moos Room™

Spring Catch-Up: Virtual Fencing, Safety, and Self-Care  Emily returns to the podcast after a travel-heavy spring focused on farm safety and farm stress programming. She shares highlights of her outreach work, including training Extension colleagues in the Northeast on ambiguous loss and farming. Meanwhile, Brad has been experimenting with virtual fencing for dairy heifers , a new and evolving tec...

 In this episode, Brad dives into the topic of polled genetics — cattle that are naturally hornless — and why it's becoming more important in both the dairy and beef industries. He explains what polled genetics are, how the trait is inherited, and how farmers can use homozygous or heterozygous polled bulls to reduce the need for dehorning. Brad discusses the growing emphasis on polled genetics by...

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives deep into A2 genetics and what dairy producers need to know. Brad shares his experience genotyping over 1,500 dairy animals, highlighting how A2 genetics have progressed in his herd and across the industry. He explains the science behind A2 milk, distinguishing it clearly from lactose intolerance, and discusses its potential health benefits, including i...

Experience with Our Automated Calf Feeder  In this episode, Brad goes solo to talk about the ups and downs of using an automatic calf feeder at the U of M dairy. He shares why they made the switch, how the setup has changed over the years, and what they’ve learned—like how ad lib feeding boosts growth and why cleanliness is everything. The feeder’s been a game changer for efficiency and calf healt...

In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad is back from sunny Florida (and into a snowy Minnesota) to dive into the world of AI in agriculture—and no, we're not talking about artificial insemination. Brad shares his recent experience experimenting with AI-generated audio content and how tools like Google’s NotebookLM are changing the way we interact with research. From cow monitoring and health alert...

Dairy Cow Culling Research Insights In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad takes a break while guest hosts Emily and Joe dive into a recent research study from the University of Minnesota on dairy cow culling. The study, spanning 14 years of data, compares Holstein and crossbred cows, uncovering key insights about the reasons for culling and its economic impact. Did you know that dairy cows make...

 Gut Check: Optimizing Rumen Health with Dr. Kirby Krogstad In this episode of The Moos Room ,  Brad welcomes Dr. Kirby Krogstad from The Ohio State University to discuss his research on dairy cow nutrition and gut health. Dr. Krogstad shares his journey through various academic institutions and how a personal experience with cow health sparked his interest in rumen function. The conversation delv...

Reducing Methane with Red Seaweed: New Research Findings In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad dives into a groundbreaking research study on feeding red seaweed to dairy cows to reduce methane emissions. Conducted at the University of Minnesota’s research center, this six-month study demonstrated a 30% reduction in methane emissions without negatively impacting milk production. Brad discusses ke...

 Mooving Cows: A Game-Changer for Dairy Training In this episode of The Moos Room , Emily and Bradley welcome Dr. Jennifer Van Os from the University of Wisconsin Extension to discuss an innovative training tool— Mooving Cows , a free mobile game designed to teach proper dairy cattle handling techniques. The app provides an interactive and engaging way to learn low-stress cattle movement, helping...

The Moos Room Podcast: Catching Up with Brad and Emily In this episode of The Moos Room , Emily and Brad reunite after a busy stretch of research, extension work, and conference travel. They reflect on where they’ve been, what they’ve been working on, and exciting projects on the horizon. Brad celebrates his birthday while attending the Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference, where he discuss...

Beef on Dairy: Genomics, Genetics, and Sire Selection In this final episode of The Moos Room’s three-part Beef on Dairy series, Brad dives into the genetics and genomics of beef-on-dairy crosses. He breaks down the results of genomic testing on 50 crossbred animals, highlighting how breed composition influences carcass traits, marbling, and growth rates. Brad explains how new genomic tools, such a...

Beef on Dairy Research: Growth, Efficiency, and Carcass Data In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad continues the deep dive into beef-on-dairy research, focusing on data collected in Minnesota. This is the second installment of a three-part series, where we examine how different beef breeds perform when crossed with dairy cattle. Key highlights include: ✅ Pre-Weaning Performance: Limousin crossb...

Beef on Dairy: Trends, Economics, and Genetics (Part 1) Brad takes the mic solo this week to dive into a hot topic in dairy farming—beef on dairy crossbreeding. In this first part of a two-part series, he breaks down current market trends, semen sales data, and recent research on how beef genetics are being used in dairy herds. Key highlights include: The growth of beef-on-dairy crossbreeding and...

In this episode of The Moos Room , hosts Emily and Brad tackle the latest updates on H5N1 (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and its impact on the dairy industry. With raw milk testing set to begin in Minnesota, they break down what dairy producers need to know about the testing process, quarantine protocols, and potential impacts on farm operations. Key Topics Covered: Delays in Minnesota's milk...

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...