Podcast · Tech & Science

The Moos Room™

by University of Minnesota Extension · English · Tech & Science

Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 18 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 14 minNew

Episode 368 - Does a Second Colostrum Feeding Make a Difference? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Does a second colostrum feeding give newborn calves an extra boost? In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad explores University of Minnesota research involving 150 dairy and beef-on-dairy calves that examined how a second colostrum meal—and feeding by bottle versus tube—affected immunity, health, appetite, and behavior. On a farm delivering high-quality colostrum within one hour of birth, a second colostrum feeding eight hours later did not significantly increase blood IgG concentrations compared with feeding milk replacer. Brad discusses why that strong first feeding matters when…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E368 · 5 Oct 2026 · 17 min
Episode 367 - HYAL1: A Hidden Genetic Defect Affecting Holstein Longevity - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Fresh from World Dairy Expo, Brad Heins discusses the newly identified HYAL1 mutation in Holstein cattle and its implications for cow health, longevity, and farm profitability. Research in Switzerland and France links this recessive variant to swollen hocks, joint fluid buildup, impaired mobility, and reduced productive life in cattle that inherit two copies. Brad explains how researchers uncovered a genetic problem that standard additive analyses missed, why joint abnormalities can appear before first calving, and how affected animals may experience lower production and earlier culling. He…
E367 · 28 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Episode 366 - Virtual Fencing for Dairy Cattle: Lessons from the Pasture - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Virtual fencing is drawing plenty of questions from grazing dairy and beef producers. In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad shares what the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center learned from using NoFence collars with heifers during the summer grazing season. Undergraduate interns observed 27 heifers from June through August and compared their behavior with collar records of audio warnings and pulses. The heifers spent most of their observed time grazing or standing, although grazing increased as the summer progressed. Observations associated with pulses…
E366 · 21 Sep 2026 · 18 min
Episode 365 - Serum Protein, Calf Survival, and Economic Value - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad begins with an update from the WCROC dairy, where corn silage harvest is complete, fall calving is underway, and new Angus and beef-on-dairy calves are arriving. The episode then examines a six-year study of approximately 1,300 Holstein bull calves purchased through Wisconsin livestock auctions. Researchers measured serum total protein to evaluate whether the calves had received adequate immunity from colostrum. More than 70% of the calves were classified in the poor or fair categories, while only 16% reached the excellent benchmark. Calves with poor passive immunity were nearly 12…
E365 · 14 Sep 2026 · 14 min
Episode 364 - Early calf socialization may deliver long-term benefits - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Early calf socialization may deliver long-term benefits Can housing calves together during their first weeks of life affect how they perform as cows? This episode examines University of Florida research comparing individually housed, pair-housed and group-housed calves through their first lactation. Socially housed calves grew faster before weaning, producing up to 16% greater average daily gain than individually housed calves. Although differences in growth and reproductive performance largely disappeared after weaning, important benefits emerged after calving. Pair- and group-housed…
E364 · 7 Sep 2026 · 20 min
Episode 363 - What Can AI Tell You About Your Dairy? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Can AI turn mountains of dairy data into practical management insights? This episode explores how tools like ChatGPT can analyze bulk tank records, DHI reports, and milking-parlor data. Using examples from conventional and organic herds, we discuss how AI can reveal production and milk-quality trends, identify cows driving somatic cell count, highlight reproductive concerns, and uncover parlor-efficiency problems. AI cannot replace farmers, advisers, or Extension expertise—and its results should always be verified—but it can save hours of spreadsheet work and help dairy managers focus on the…
E363 · 31 Aug 2026 · 16 min
Episode 362 - Age at First Calving: Why 22 to 23 Months Pays - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
What is the ideal age at first calving for Holstein heifers? Brad examines a Zoetis study of nearly 130,000 cows from 74 dairy herds. Although heifers calving at 26 months produced slightly more projected first-lactation milk, those calving around 23 months produced more cumulative milk through two lactations, remained in the herd longer, and generated greater modeled net income. Replacement risk increased substantially as calving age rose, reaching about 35% for heifers calving at 27 months compared with 17% at 21 months. By 27 months, modeled net income was approximately $650 lower than…
E362 · 24 Aug 2026 · 15 min
Episode 361 - Why Routine Hoof Trimming Pays: Preventing Lameness in Dairy Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Lameness can quietly reduce milk production, cow welfare, and dairy farm profitability. In this episode of The Moos Room, we examine how a difficult, wet spring prompted our dairy to make routine hoof trimming a priority for both its grazing and confinement herds. Since 2019, every cow—including lactating and dry cows—has been trimmed twice a year, with hoof problems carefully recorded. The results have been substantial: the percentage of cows with hoof issues declined from 15.6% during the first whole-herd trimming to just 2–3% during the past two spring trimmings. Thin soles and toe ulcers…
E361 · 17 Aug 2026 · 15 min
Episode 360 - Working With the Dairy Cow’s Biological Clock - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
After a busy week showing dairy cattle at the county fair, Brad explores research on the dairy cow’s 12-month biological clock. Using data from 332 Western U.S. dairy herds, the study examined how region, breed, housing, organic management, and BST use influence seasonal patterns in milk production, components, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency. Despite differences among herds, annual rhythms remained remarkably consistent: milk components peaked in winter, dry matter intake peaked in February, and milk production generally peaked in spring. The findings suggest producers and…
E360 · 10 Aug 2026 · 18 min
Episode 359 - New Calf Health and Fertility Traits: What Dairy Producers Need to Know - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode previews new U.S. dairy genetic evaluations scheduled for release by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding on August 11, 2026. Two new calf-health traits will measure genetic resistance to diarrhea and respiratory disease in Holsteins and Jerseys. Positive predicted transmitting abilities indicate greater resistance. Although these traits have relatively low heritability, they may help producers gradually improve calf health, reduce treatment costs, and avoid the long-term productivity losses associated with early-life illness. Continued, accurate recording of calf health events…
E359 · 3 Aug 2026 · 18 min
Episode 358 - Footbath Management: What Dairy Farms May Be Missing - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
After sharing how recent heat stress caused an average milk loss of four pounds per cow in his herd, Brad turns his attention to lameness and footbath management. He examines a study of approximately 250 Canadian dairy farms to explore how footbaths are being used, where management gaps exist, and what the future of hoof-health programs may look like. Most farms sent lactating cows through a footbath one or two times per week, commonly after milking. Copper sulfate was the most widely used product, but Brad discusses its potential to accumulate in soil and affect crop production. He also…
E358 · 27 Jul 2026 · 17 min
Episode 357 - From Calf to Carcass: Early Nutrition for Beef-on-Dairy Success - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Beef-on-dairy calves continue to bring strong prices, but producing calves that perform well from birth through harvest requires careful decisions about genetics and nutrition. In this episode, we look at current Minnesota calf markets, the factors influencing beef sire selection and recent research exploring how early feeding programs affect the long-term performance of Angus-Holstein calves. A University of Minnesota study compared conventional 20:20 milk replacer with a higher-energy 24:24 formulation. Calves receiving the 24:24 milk replacer had greater starter intake, faster weight and…
E357 · 20 Jul 2026 · 16 min
Episode 356 - Heat Stress and Water Intake in Dairy Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode examines how heat stress affects water intake in dairy cows—and why farms must prepare their watering systems for increasingly hot weather. A review of studies from 1985–2024 found that Holstein cows producing roughly 65–70 pounds of milk averaged about 24 gallons of water per day under thermoneutral conditions. During heat stress, intake increased by approximately 10 liters, or 2–3 gallons, per cow per day. Each one-unit increase in the temperature-humidity index was associated with another 1.5 liters of water intake. Although heat-stressed cows produce less milk, they drink…
E356 · 13 Jul 2026 · 15 min
Episode 355 - How Breed (Holstein and Crossbred) Influences Heifer Feed Intake and Emissions- UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares preliminary results from a University of Minnesota study examining feed intake, methane emissions, and feeding behavior in Holstein and crossbred dairy heifers. Using precision feeders, methane-monitoring equipment, and activity sensors, the research team compared Holsteins with ProCROSS and GrazeCross heifers. The early findings show that methane production generally increased with feed intake. Smaller GrazeCross heifers consumed less feed and produced less methane and carbon dioxide, while ProCROSS heifers had the highest feed intake. However, methane produced per unit of dry…
E355 · 6 Jul 2026 · 20 min
Episode 354 - Hot Calves, Lower Gains: Rethinking Summer Calf Care - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad takes a closer look at heat stress in dairy calves and cows. This episode highlights several recent studies on how temperature-humidity index affects calf behavior, lying time, respiration rates, shade use, and growth performance. Brad discusses research from the University of Guelph, The Ohio State University, and Mississippi State showing that heat-stressed calves spend less time lying down, stand more often, breathe harder, and may gain less weight when shade is not provided. He also reviews a Texas A&M study using precision livestock technology to monitor drinking behavior, rumen…
E354 · 29 Jun 2026 · 19 min
Episode 353 - Calf Research Roundup: Colostrum, Beef-on-Dairy, and Weaning Insights - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Back from the ADSA annual meeting in Milwaukee, Brad shares highlights from several calf-focused dairy studies. This episode covers new research on colostrum management for beef-on-dairy crossbred calves, including how feeding practices differ between retained dairy heifers, beef-on-dairy calves, and calves not kept on farm. Brad also reviews a study comparing fixed-age weaning with starter-intake-based weaning in Holstein and Angus-Holstein calves, plus new work using ear tag sensors to track calf behavior, rumination, eating, and activity through 150 days of age. The episode wraps up with…
E353 · 22 Jun 2026 · 17 min
Episode 352 - Somatic Cell Count Genetics and Heifer Feed Efficiency - UMN Extension's The Moos Rom
Brad shares two studies He presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting. First, he examines records from more than 150,000 lactations to compare genetic predictions for somatic cell score and clinical mastitis. The results suggest that PTA for somatic cell score is more useful for predicting and ranking cows by observed somatic cell count than PTA for mastitis. He also discusses a study comparing Holstein and crossbred heifers for feed intake, methane emissions, rumination, and feeding behavior. Although methane produced per kilogram of feed was similar across breed…
E352 · 15 Jun 2026 · 18 min
Episode 351 - High Oleic Soybeans: A New Tool for Dairy Rations? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad discusses what he learned about high oleic soybeans at the Four State Dairy Management and Nutrition Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. High oleic soybeans are gaining attention in dairy nutrition because they can provide both rumen undegradable protein and a more rumen-friendly fat source, potentially reducing the need for purchased protein and fat supplements. The episode covers how high oleic beans differ from conventional soybeans, why roasting quality matters, and how measures like protein dispersibility index help determine whether beans are under- or over-processed. Brad also…
E351 · 8 Jun 2026 · 15 min
Episode 350 - New World Screwworm Returns to the U.S.: What Farmers Need to Know - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
A case of New World screwworm was recently identified in a three-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. In this episode, Brad breaks down what New World screwworm is, why it matters to livestock producers, and what signs to watch for in cattle and other animals. He explains how the larvae infest live tissue, how the pest spreads, and why early detection, reporting, quarantine, and treatment are key to preventing further spread. The episode also clears up common myths, including whether screwworm spreads animal-to-animal or person-to-person, whether whole herds…
E350 · 1 Jun 2026 · 18 min
Episode 349 - Can Pasture-Raised Heifers Outperform Confinement Heifers? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad discusses new research comparing dairy heifers raised on pasture versus in confinement, focusing on studies from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Both studies found that pasture-raised heifers were slightly lighter and gained less before calving, but they reached calving at a similar age and showed advantages after freshening. Pasture-raised animals had higher dry matter intake, fewer health issues in the Minnesota study, and stronger first-lactation milk production, especially under rotational grazing systems. Brad also highlights the economic upside: pasture systems reduced heifer feed costs…
E349 · 25 May 2026 · 24 min
Episode 348 - Holstein Classification and Crossbreeding Lessons from Minnesota Dairy Research - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares updates from the University of Minnesota Morris dairy herd, including cows heading out to spring pasture, a recent Holstein classification, and highlights from several high-scoring cows. He then revisits University of Minnesota crossbreeding research comparing Holsteins with Viking Red and Montbéliarde crosses. The results show that crossbred cows often had better fertility, lower health treatment costs, improved survival to later lactations, and higher daily profitability, even when milk volume was sometimes lower than Holsteins. Brad also connects these findings to current…
E348 · 18 May 2026 · 20 min
Episode 347 - Heat Stress Starts Earlier Than We Think: Using Cow Sensors to Stay Ahead - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad discusses spring pasture challenges in western Minnesota, including dry conditions, temperature swings, and slowed grass growth. With summer heat on the horizon, the focus shifts to heat stress in dairy cows and how precision technologies, especially internal bolus sensors, can help farmers identify problems earlier. Brad shares observations from cows monitored with Smaxtec boluses, including rumination, internal body temperature, and water intake data. He also reviews research from the University of Minnesota herd showing that rumination may start…
E347 · 11 May 2026 · 17 min
Episode 346 - FerAppease for Dairy Cows and Calves: Can Reducing Stress Improve Pregnancy Rates and Growth? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad takes a closer look at FerAppease, a synthetic analog of the maternal bovine appeasing substance that is gaining attention in both the dairy and beef industries. He explains how the product is designed to reduce stress in cattle during events like breeding, weaning, dehorning, transportation, calving, and dry-off. The episode highlights recent research in lactating Holstein cows showing that applying FerAppease at the time of artificial insemination increased pregnancy per AI from 47.7% in control cows to 60.2% in treated cows. Brad also walks through the potential economics, estimating…
E346 · 4 May 2026 · 19 min
Episode 345 - Virtual Fencing for Grazing Cattle: Costs, Training, and Practical Tips - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Virtual fencing is gaining attention in livestock production, and this episode breaks down what dairy producers need to know before trying it. Brad explains how virtual fencing uses GPS-enabled collars or ear tags, audio cues, and electrical cues to manage grazing animals within digital boundaries. He also shares lessons from training heifers with virtual fence collars, including the adjustment period, the importance of using a physical fence during training, and how animals typically learn the system within about a week. The episode also compares several virtual fencing systems available to…
E345 · 27 Apr 2026 · 18 min
Episode 344 - Salmonella Dublin: The Hidden Threat in Dairy-Beef Systems - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode highlights new research on Salmonella Dublin in dairy-beef systems and what it means for calf health and farm management. The disease is a major threat to young calves, causing severe illness and high mortality, while often spreading silently through carrier animals and contaminated environments. New PCR testing shows the pathogen is far more common than traditional methods suggest. Key risk factors include frequent introduction of new calves, mixing animals post-weaning, and human movement (boots, equipment) spreading contamination between areas. Bottom line: Salmonella Dublin…
E344 · 20 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Episode 343 - The Hidden Cost of Cow Health: Why It Pays to Look Beyond ‘Sick or Not - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Spring may be slow to arrive in Minnesota, but research season is heating up. In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad revisits a large Minnesota-based study exploring the true cost of health events in dairy cows —and why tracking cost , not just disease incidence, could transform genetic selection and farm profitability. Using data from thousands of Holstein cows across multiple herds, the team found that health costs are heavily concentrated in the first 30 days of lactation , when cows face metabolic stress from calving and high milk production. However, issues like lameness and mastitis…
E343 · 13 Apr 2026 · 18 min
Episode 342 - Cows, Kilowatts, and Cool-Season Grasses: What Grows Best Under Solar? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
This episode of The Moos Room dives into new research on agrivoltaics—specifically how forages perform when grown under solar panels in grazing systems. Brad shares results from a recent study evaluating multiple grass and legume species across different solar array designs compared to a traditional pasture. Overall, forage production depended heavily on species and shade level. Cool-season grasses like meadow fescue and orchardgrass performed well under solar panels, sometimes even producing more biomass than in open pasture. In contrast, warm-season species like sorghum-sudangrass…
E342 · 6 Apr 2026 · 18 min
Episode 341 - Stop Mastitis Before It Starts: Pre-Calving Training That Works - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad shares insights from a recent study at the University of Minnesota Morris dairy focused on reducing mastitis and improving behavior in first-lactation heifers. The research tested a simple, low-labor strategy: bringing heifers into the parlor once per week for three weeks before calving, gently acclimating them, and applying a 1% iodine teat dip. Results showed that trained heifers were calmer, easier to milk, and significantly less likely to kick during milking, improving both animal welfare and milker safety. While overall clinical mastitis rates did…
E341 · 30 Mar 2026 · 16 min
Episode 340 - Beef-on-Dairy Boom: Why Crossbred Calves Are Winning - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Spring calving is underway in Minnesota, and with it comes renewed focus on the booming beef-on-dairy market. In this episode, Brad dives into current calf prices—highlighting the strong premium for beef-cross calves—and breaks down new research comparing Holstein and beef × dairy calves under the same management. Across studies from Canada and Brazil, crossbred calves consistently showed advantages: lower rates of diarrhea, fewer treatment interventions, improved starter intake, and greater feed efficiency. While respiratory disease incidence was similar, crossbreds recovered faster and…
E340 · 23 Mar 2026 · 18 min
Episode 339- Horn Fly Vaccines: What We Learned from a Summer Study - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
On this spring episode of The Moos Room , Brad dives into the seasonal return of flies and shares results from a recent horn fly vaccine study conducted at the University of Minnesota’s WCROC. Horn flies—common in pasture-based systems—cause significant irritation, blood loss, and production losses in cattle, and their rapid life cycle makes them difficult to control, especially with increasing insecticide resistance. The study evaluated a Medgene horn fly vaccine designed to disrupt the fly’s ability to take a blood meal, ultimately reducing reproduction. Researchers vaccinated about half…

About The Moos Room™

The Moos Room™ is a English tech & science podcast from University of Minnesota Extension. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: University of Minnesota Extension
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 18 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1489246090

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