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 temperature, and heat stress responses in robotic milking herds.
The big takeaway: heat stress in calves deserves more attention. Simple strategies like shade cloth, better ventilation, and more thoughtful housing design may help improve calf comfort, growth, and long-term performance.

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

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 research from the University of Florida on colostrum yield, quality, and genetics, including how season, parity, calf sex, gestation length, and days dry can influence colostrum outcomes.
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

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 groups, smaller crossbred heifers consumed four to five pounds less dry matter per day. The findings highlight how genetics, breed, sensors, and precision feeding data could help producers improve herd health and heifer management.

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

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 reviews feeding rates, farm case studies showing milk fat and energy-corrected milk responses, possible cost savings, and the pros and cons of adopting high oleic beans on dairy farms.
Overall, high oleic soybeans are not a silver bullet, but they may offer dairy producers another tool for improving ration economics, milk components, and on-farm feed production when managed carefully.

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

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 must be culled, and whether recovered animals can enter the food supply. Brad also discusses past eradication efforts using sterile flies, current treatment options, and the importance of producer awareness, especially for those in areas at higher risk. 
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory