Brad recaps a fall road trip with the Minnesota dairy extension team to South Dakota’s rapidly growing I-29 dairy corridor, highlighting what innovative farms are doing to boost efficiency, cow health, and profitability. Along the way, they tour the Bel Brands plant in Brookings, where milk from about 10,000 cows a day is turned into those familiar Babybel snack cheeses, and hear how the plant’s demand for high-protein milk is shaping local production.

On the farm visits, Brad digs into why one 1,700-cow dairy is ripping out a barn full of robots after just a few years—citing software headaches, maintenance demands, and an extra dollar per hundredweight in cost—and how they’re using strict 5-minute milking times and strong beef-on-dairy markets to stay competitive. He then visits a Holstein dairy using parlor timers, FutureCow brushes, genomic testing, Akushi (red Wagyu) beef-on-dairy crosses, intensive calf biosecurity, and a Danish SKOV ventilation system to keep big groups of calves healthy.

The final stop is a 6,000-cow Jersey herd proving Jerseys can be successfully raised in northern climates. Brad shares how they use SenseHub tags on calves from birth, IVF and embryo work for high-value Jersey genetics, fresh-heifer mastitis prevention strategies in recycled bedding systems, and clever pen redesigns to add bunk space.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why one large dairy abandoned milking robots for a parlor
• How timers in the parlor are being used to speed up milking and labor efficiency
• Beef-on-dairy strategies, from Angus to Akushi crosses and premium Texas markets
• New approaches to calf housing, ventilation, and biosecurity
• Using precision technology and genomic data to guide breeding and health decisions
• Practical ideas Brad wants to bring home to the U of M dairy, from boot disinfectant to fresh-heifer dry treatment

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 recaps his trip to dairy farms in the Netherlands and Germany, where robotics, crossbreeding, and creative manure and energy management are everywhere — even on small farms. He visited farms using Lely robots, grass/rye silage-based diets, and small-scale digesters that capture manure methane. Crossbreeding (Holstein × Montbéliarde × Viking Red) is common, driven by goals of longevity, health, and reducing inbreeding.

He also saw some surprising management choices: dry cows fed only straw for 60 days (reportedly reducing metabolic issues) and one advisor recommending farmers don’t clean calf pens to preserve the microbiome — a concept Brad remains skeptical about.

At a dairy technology show and breeding conference, Brad shared research on feed efficiency and methane emissions and learned how European breeders are incorporating resilience and efficiency traits into genetic programs. Overall, Europe’s dairy farms showed strong use of technology, a focus on components and longevity, and serious interest in crossbreeding as a labor- and health-saving strategy.

Hybrid Genetics YouTube Channel to learn more about some of these Farms

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 

In this episode, Brad is back from Europe—jetlagged but full of insights from farms and conferences in Germany and the Netherlands. He dives into one of the biggest topics he heard about abroad and at home: Inbreeding in dairy cattle.

Brad explains how inbreeding occurs, what it costs farmers economically, and how inbreeding levels have climbed across all major dairy breeds—especially Holsteins and Jerseys. Drawing on recent research from Italy and data from the U.S. Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, he outlines how increasing inbreeding negatively impacts cow survival, fertility, and long-term profitability.

The discussion highlights startling trends—Holstein inbreeding has jumped from 3.7% in the mid-1990s to nearly 11% today, and some genomic bulls now exceed 16%. Brad also touches on historic bulls whose genetics still dominate today’s herds, like Elevation and Highland Magic Duncan, and explores whether approaches like crossbreeding, linebreeding, or greater genetic diversity in breeding programs could help slow the trend.

Brad concludes with a call to action: farmers, AI companies, and breed associations must prioritize genetic diversity now to safeguard herd health and productivity.

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 kicks off a solo episode (recorded before a trip to Germany) and turns the mic to rangeland scientist Anna Clare for a deep dive into “the solar savanna”—treating solar arrays on grasslands as functioning grazing ecosystems. She shares early results from Silicon Ranch’s Cattle Tracker research on integrating cattle (not just sheep) with PV systems. Brad follows with University of Minnesota’s on-farm demos: panel heights that work for cattle, heat-stress reductions, forage performance under panels, and a mobile, battery-equipped shade/solar rig. If you’re curious how and when cattle can safely graze under solar, this one’s packed with data and practical design tips.

Key takeaways

• Solar as savanna: Think of arrays as shade “canopies” over grasslands—manage them as grazing systems with soils, roots, pollinators, and large herbivores in mind.
• Cattle can work under PV: Moving from sheep to cattle is feasible when arrays are designed with animal size/behavior in mind.
• Panel height matters: In controlled mockups, animal interactions dropped 43% from 2.0→2.5 m and 59% at 3.0 m. Cattle never touched panels; most curiosity was with dampers—a design hotspot.
• Ecosystem wins: Under-panel zones showed higher soil moisture and lower soil temperatures, favoring cool-season grasses and legumes; regrowth dynamics can improve after grazing passes.
• Animal welfare benefits: UMN trials showed lower respiration rates and 0.5–1.0 °F lower internal body temperatures during hot afternoons for shaded cows—meaningfully less heat stress.
• Forage production holds up (or improves): Certain mixes (e.g., orchardgrass, meadow fescue; grass-legume combos) produced equal or greater biomass under panels with no drop in nutritive value.
• Design for cattle, not fear: After a decade of on-farm experience, Brad’s team hasn’t seen cattle damage panels; people and tractors are more likely risks than cows.
• Practical layouts: Keep inverters outside fences, route wiring high/inside racking, and allow equipment lanes; rotational grazing and (potentially) virtual fencing fit well.
• Innovation on wheels: A 20 kW mobile bifacial shade rig with onboard batteries can power irrigation, fencing, and even an electric tractor—bringing agrivoltaics to wherever cattle need relief.

Research & projects mentioned

• Silicon Ranch – Cattle Tracker: multi-year cattle-PV integration study; Phase 2 is a 4.5 MW Tennessee “outdoor test lab” comparing array vs. open pasture for behavior, space use, health/performance, plus mirrored ecosystem monitoring.
• Comprehensive literature review (AGU Earth’s Future – in press): Maps intersections among livestock–solar–land, identifies six research gaps (integration, layered ecology, modeling, best practices, social dimensions, collaborative science).
• UMN Morris agrivoltaics demos: Fixed-tilt arrays at 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) leading edge; 0.5 MW pasture array powering campus; vertical bifacial and crop-under-PV pilots coming; EV fast charger powered by cow-shade solar.

Who it’s for

Developers, ranchers, extension pros, and policy folks exploring dual-use solar that keeps grasslands working and cattle comfortable.

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 

Emily is back from medical leave (hooray!) and she and Brad dig into an essential topic for every operation: emergency planning. You can’t predict every detail, but you can make the first decisions easier when seconds count.

What we cover:

• What an emergency plan is (and isn’t): a concise, written set of steps and key info you can default to under pressure.
• Start with a farm map: access routes, gates/fences, livestock locations, hazardous/flammable materials, and utility shutoffs.
• Make the red sheet easy to find: an emergency contact list (911 first), then vet, sheriff/emergency management, insurance, milk hauler, feed/suppliers, and owner/manager.
• Stock the right supplies: standard first-aid kits, a trauma kit with a tourniquet, and consider an AED; plan to keep kits replenished.
• Three scenario buckets to plan for:
  1. Shelter in place (blizzards, extended outages): backup power/fuel, blocked access routes, pared-down chore list, role assignments, keeping people safe.
  2. Evacuation (fire, flood, tornado damage): best escape routes for people/animals, which gates to open and in what order, a designated meeting point (and Plan B), and who calls whom.
  3. Medical emergencies (injury or health event): known conditions (EpiPens, diabetes, heart issues), where supplies/AED live, basic first-aid/CPR training, clear directions for EMS, and—on larger sites—who meets the ambulance at the road and whether a safe helicopter landing area exists.
• Mind the paperwork: review insurance coverage before you need it.
• Keep it simple and living: a few clear steps beat a thick binder no one reads.

Resources mentioned:

• University of Minnesota Extension: Operations contingency plan templates for livestock operations.
• Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN): disaster-specific farm resources.
• Cultivating Change Foundation (Emily & Joe Rand received the Cultivator of Change award).
• Save the date: Ag for All Conference for LGBTQ+ farmers, ag professionals, and allies — March 7, 2026, Waite Park/St. Cloud, MN.

Have questions, comments, or scathing rebuttals? Email TheMoosRoom@umn.edu
.

Chapter markers (optional)

• 00:00 – Emily’s back! (and why breaks matter)
• 03:18 – Why farms need emergency plans
• 05:41 – What an emergency plan actually is
• 08:07 – How plans help when stress spikes
• 10:45 – Simple planning story (cats + hamper)
• 12:03 – What belongs in the plan (map, shutoffs, hazards)
• 15:11 – The red emergency contact list
• 19:06 – First-aid vs. trauma kits (tourniquets)
• 24:44 – Shelter-in-place: questions to answer
• 26:11 – Evacuation: routes, gates, meeting points
• 28:04 – Medical emergencies: AEDs, training, EMS access
• 32:35 – Keep it living, keep it simple
• 33:00 – Resources + wrap-up

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 

In this episode, Brad shares his fall updates from western Minnesota before diving into a detailed discussion on genomic testing in dairy herds. Drawing on his experiences from recent farm visits in South Dakota and ongoing University of Minnesota research projects, he explores how producers are using genomics and whether the investment pays off.

Brad explains that while some herds use genomic testing solely to decide which animals to breed to beef, he believes the technology’s value lies much deeper — in improving herd genetics, managing inbreeding, verifying parentage, and advancing traits like health, fertility, and production components. He outlines the major testing companies (Neogen, Zoetis, and Genetic Visions), their costs (around $37–$42 per animal), and the kinds of data producers can expect from each, including A2 status, horned/polled traits, and wellness indices.

The episode also includes two case studies:

• A small grazing herd where genomic testing clarified breed composition, revealed unknown sires, and identified A2 status across mixed-breed animals.
• A university research herd exploring polled genetics and crossbred performance, where Brad questions how well current evaluations reflect the true genetic potential of crossbreds like Normande and Montbéliarde crosses.

Brad closes by summarizing the practical ways to use genomic information — from strategic breeding and heifer selection to developing niche markets like A2 milk products. His key takeaway: genomic testing can be a powerful tool for herd improvement, but it’s only worth the cost when used strategically rather than as a simple breeding filter.

Listeners are encouraged to share feedback or questions via The Moos Room’s contact page or University of Minnesota Extension channels.

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 

Host Brad Heins welcomes Becca Weir, a Minnesota native and newly appointed assistant professor of agricultural economics at Penn State. Growing up on a dairy farm near Sauk Centre, Rebecca developed a passion for applying economics to dairy management decisions.

In this episode, she shares findings from her University of Minnesota research with Jolene Hadrich, which connected genetic selection (sire Net Merit) with farm-level profitability using data from 2012–2018 Minnesota dairy herds.

Key insights:

• A $100 increase in sire Net Merit was linked to roughly $12,000 more in net farm income—about $87 per cow, higher than expected.
• The positive relationship held across small, medium, and large herds, showing that investing in genetics pays off for all farm sizes.
• Traits related to longevity and health—such as livability and milk fever resistance—were the most consistent contributors to profitability.
• Selecting based on the Net Merit index is more effective than focusing on single traits.
• Genetics explained about 3% of profitability variation, a small but meaningful share alongside market conditions, management, and input costs.

Rebecca also discusses her new role at Penn State, where she’ll continue exploring dairy farm management, risk management, and programs like Dairy Margin Coverage to help producers improve economic resilience.

Brad closes by reminding listeners that genetics are just one piece of the profitability puzzle—but an important one that can deliver measurable returns for dairy farmers.

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 

In this episode, Brad shares his firsthand experience with virtual fencing on the University of Minnesota’s Morris dairy herd. After a long grazing season, he dives into the reasons he began experimenting with NoFence collars, the training process for heifers, and what he learned about costs, labor savings, and animal behavior.

Brad walks listeners through the setup, the challenges of training, and the variation he saw among animals in how quickly they adapted. He highlights both the advantages—like labor efficiency and flexibility—and the limitations, such as collar costs, GPS accuracy, and the need for careful management when mixing groups.

Looking ahead, Brad plans to extend the trial to lactating cows next grazing season, a new frontier for virtual fencing in dairy. He also points to upcoming field days and funding opportunities for farmers curious about adopting the technology.

Virtual fencing, he concludes, may be the future of grazing management—helping reduce labor while improving flexibility on farms.

 
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 

Today, Brad brings on University of Minnesota Extension colleague Jim Salfer to talk through the state of dairy automation. Robots are still going in across the Upper Midwest, but they’re also coming out—and the “why” depends on farm goals, labor, barn design, and cash flow.

Highlights

• Adoption reality: Robots are spreading, yet many farms are re-evaluating fit. Large herds often lean toward automated rotaries (pre- and post-sprays) for sheer throughput; small to mid-size herds may benefit most from box robots—especially when barn flow and labor fit the model.
• Repair costs that pencil: Plan for $10–12k per robot per year once out of warranty, with $500–$1,000 annual increases as units age. Under warranty is lower; 24/7 equipment inevitably costs more to maintain.
• Troubleshooting visits: Dips from ~2.7–2.9 milkings/day to ~2.2–2.3 crush production and are hard to diagnose (cow behavior, nutrition, traffic, hardware hiccups).
• Feeding in robots: Trend has shifted from “all pellets through the robot” to less robot feed overall. Pellets remain reliable; meals can work but often require hardware tweaks (vibrators/lines) and some herds struggle with consistency. Multiple feeds can help target fresh cows but isn’t mandatory.
• Used robots are viable: Dealer-refreshed, recent-model used units can be half (or less) the cost of new. Expect less warranty and potentially higher repairs, but they’re a solid on-ramp for younger or capital-tight producers.
• Rotaries & partial automation: Pre/post sprayers are getting better and can deliver impressive efficiency. Full robotic attachment on rotaries remains complex due to eye-hand coordination challenges, but incremental automation keeps improving labor per hundred cows.
• Batch milking with box robots: A compelling middle path for pasture-based or capital-limited farms—bring cows up 2–3× daily, run them through multiple boxes, and send them back. You won’t maximize 24/7 robot utilization, but you may optimize labor and cash while managing cows like a traditional system.
• Capital strategy matters: Highly automated, all-robot barns can tie up capital and slow growth; retrofitting modest parlors can free cash to grow cow numbers. Match the system to your growth goals.
• Crystal ball: Expect three lanes to coexist—(1) retrofit parallels, (2) large new rotaries (increasingly automated), and (3) robots for small/mid herds—plus combo herds (rotary + a robot barn for elite “robot cows”).

Bottom line: There’s no one “right” technology. Choose the milking system that fits your labor pool, barn flow, capital plan, and temperament for tech and troubleshooting—not what worked for your neighbor.

Chapter markers

• 00:00 – Cold open, guest intro & breed banter (Red Angus; black-and-white Holsteins)
• 03:21 – Why talk robots now? Installs vs. removals and what that means
• 04:56 – Large-herd calculus: automated rotaries vs. box robots
• 06:22 – The visit-rate problem: when milkings/day drop and why it’s tricky
• 07:48 – Real repair numbers and how they climb after warranty
• 09:38 – Feeding through the robot: pellets, meals, and what’s working now
• 12:47 – Should you buy used robots? Costs, warranties, dealer refreshes
• 16:13 – Robotic rotaries, parlor automation, and what’s practical today
• 20:08 – Labor reality: making jobs people actually want to do
• 21:33 – “All-automated” dairies, cash flow, and growth constraints
• 23:55 – Jim’s outlook: three lanes + hybrid herds
• 26:00 – Batch milking with boxes: where it shines (esp. pasture herds)
• 28:13 – Tradeoffs: robot idle time vs. labor/capital fit
• 30:02 – The cost elephant: margins, risk, and decision discipline
• 31:41 – Wrap and contact info

 
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 

This week on The Moos Room, Brad shares updates from the University of Minnesota’s dairy research center, where staff have been on strike and he’s been back in the barn doing chores, milking, feeding, and even pulling calves late at night. With calving season underway, Brad shifts the focus to a new review article on weaning practices in young ruminants, authored by Heather Nave at Purdue University.

The discussion explores the stress calves, lambs, goat kids, and beef calves experience when transitioning from milk to solid feed, and how management decisions—such as weaning age and milk removal method—impact long-term health, growth, and welfare. Brad breaks down the pros and cons of abrupt versus gradual weaning, highlights the benefits of later weaning, and shares practical strategies to reduce stress, from nutritional management and water access to social housing and avoiding stacked stressors.

Key takeaways include:

• Later and gradual weaning generally improves growth, gut health, and reduces stress.
• Early access to palatable solid feed and free-choice water is essential for rumen development.
• Environmental enrichment and positive human contact can help ease the transition.
• Veterinarians and farmers should balance short-term economics with long-term animal health and productivity.

Tune in for research-backed insights and practical tips to improve calf and herd outcomes during one of the most critical stages of development.

Improving the Welfare of Ruminants Around Weaning  in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice

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 

In this episode, Brad dives into the growing interest in milk fatty acid profiles and what they can tell us about cow health, nutrition, and management.

Brad explains the three main groups of milk fatty acids—de novo, mixed, and preformed—and how they are shaped by diet, stage of lactation, seasonality, and even genetics. He highlights how monitoring these fatty acid trends through routine milk testing can help farmers fine-tune rations, detect health challenges like subclinical ketosis or mastitis, and make more informed feeding decisions.

Brad also shares findings from two recent University of Minnesota research projects:

• Commercial herd study: Comparing Holsteins and crossbreds, as well as feeding strategies (higher starch diets vs. fat supplementation). Results showed small but meaningful differences in fatty acid profiles, with crossbreds showing slightly healthier rumen indicators.
• University herd study: Comparing organic pasture-based cows to conventional TMR-fed cows, and looking at breed influences (Holsteins, Viking Reds, Jerseys, and Normandy crosses). Pasture cows had higher preformed fatty acids, while Jerseys and Normandy crosses stood out for more favorable fatty acid compositions.

The takeaway: fatty acid testing is a valuable management tool for nutrition, genetics, and herd health monitoring—and could even open new opportunities for niche milk markets.

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 

In this Labor Day episode, Brad highlights the history of the holiday in the U.S. and Canada before diving into a brand-new genetic evaluation for Holstein dairy cattle: milking speed. Released in August 2025, this trait provides an objective way to measure how quickly cows milk—expressed in pounds of milk per minute—with the Holstein breed average set at 7 lbs/min.

Brad explains how this evaluation was developed using parlor sensor data (not robot milking systems) from over 165 herds and 43,000 cows, making it more accurate than traditional subjective scoring methods used in other breeds. With heritability at 42%, milking speed is a promising selection tool for improving parlor efficiency and labor use.

The episode also covers:

• How milking speed correlates with traits like somatic cell score and mastitis.
• The range of variation in bulls and what that means for selection decisions.
• Why milking speed isn’t yet included in the lifetime merit index.
• Practical implications for farmers considering faster vs. slower milking cows.

Brad wraps up by reflecting on how this new tool could impact herd management at the Morris research herd and encourages producers to watch for milking speed in future bull proofs.

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 

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares updates from a busy summer and fall kickoff at the Minnesota State Fair, where his kids showed cows and he helped with 4-H dairy programming. After reflecting on the fair, he dives into the latest research and extension projects happening at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris.

Brad covers a wide range of studies, including:

• Virtual fencing trials with heifers, lessons learned from training, and future plans to test with milking cows.
• Horn fly vaccine research, tracking fly counts across hundreds of cows to evaluate effectiveness.
• Agrovoltaics and portable solar shade, examining how cows use shade structures to reduce heat stress and the impact on pasture regrowth.
• Parasite monitoring and exploring connections between genetics and parasite load.
• Heifer feed efficiency, using precision feeders and methane collectors to measure intake, weight gain, and greenhouse gas output.
• Mastitis management, including trials with alternatives to antibiotics.
• Genetics-focused projects on inbreeding effects in Holsteins and the potential of polled genetics.
• Milk processing exploration, with plans to begin producing value-added products like ice cream and butter from the university herd.

From innovative technology like virtual fencing to on-farm challenges like mastitis, Brad shares insights into ongoing research aimed at helping dairy farmers improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.

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 

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares updates on the University of Minnesota’s ongoing work with bovine leukosis virus (BLV), a retrovirus that weakens the immune system, reduces production, and costs dairy farmers hundreds of dollars per cow each year.

Brad walks through the latest herd testing results, where prevalence has held steady at around 30%, but with new infections continuing to appear—especially in older cows. He digs into the role of biting flies in BLV transmission, highlighting research showing that nearly all previously negative cows became suspect or positive after just one summer on pasture.

The discussion covers:

• How BLV spreads within herds.
• The economic and animal health impacts of infection.
• Management strategies like testing, culling, colostrum protocols, and breeding decisions.
• Why fly control may be one of the most important tools for reducing BLV spread in grazing herds.

Tune in to hear how the UMN Morris dairy herd is tackling this challenge, what the research says about seasonality and transmission, and what steps farmers can take to manage BLV on their own operations.

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 records solo during a busy fair season. But behind the scenes at the research center, a troubling issue emerged this summer: a cluster of abortions isolated to a 50–60 cow organic herd.

After ruling out other groups, Brad suspected moldy feed. Testing revealed high mold counts—especially Fusarium, which produces mycotoxins linked to infertility and abortions. The herd had been eating first-crop hay baled a bit too wet, later found to be heating and moldy.

Aborted fetuses sent to diagnostic labs showed mixed results: one indicated Neospora caninum (a protozoan parasite spread by dogs or coyotes), another pointed to bacterial placentitis likely linked to moldy feed. Despite the confusion, abortions dropped sharply after the moldy hay was removed from the diet, strengthening Brad’s belief that feed quality was the main culprit.

To prevent future issues, the team pulled suspect hay from use, began feeding a mycotoxin binder, and emphasized the importance—and challenge—of making mold-free feed in a wet year.

After almost a month without new cases in the affected herd, Brad is cautiously optimistic. His takeaway: good feed management is critical, even for research herds, and sometimes the simplest solution—removing bad feed—makes the biggest difference.

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 

In this special episode of The Moos Room, Emily and Brad record in person for the first time in ages! While together in Rochester, they dive into their favorite annual topic: sun safety and preventing heat illness in humans.

After a lighthearted reminder that Brad still doesn’t wear sunscreen enough, the duo discusses practical strategies to stay safe in the sun. Topics include:

• Why UV protection matters year-round (not just when it’s hot)
• Sunscreen, clothing, and hats as protective tools
• Recognizing symptoms of heat illness like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue
• The importance of hydration and nutrition before and during heat exposure
• Personal stories (including heat exhaustion from county fairs and baling straw)

Emily shares tips like using cold water on wrists and neck to cool down, while Brad emphasizes the importance of rest and watching out for each other on the farm. They wrap up by reminding listeners that being proactive with sun and heat safety can prevent serious health risks.

Resources mentioned:

• UMN Extension Farm Safety
• Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH)
• Farm Safety Check - Heat Illness

  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 

In this episode, Brad and Emily dive into one of the most pressing summertime challenges in cattle care: heat stress. As county fairs, field days, and Farmfest approach, the co-hosts reflect on their busy schedules and upcoming plans to finally record in person. The main discussion covers how heat affects both calves and adult cattle, including signs of stress, management strategies, and the role of hydration, nutrition, and cleanliness.

They share practical tips for reducing heat stress, such as increasing water availability, feeding at optimal times, cleaning equipment frequently to prevent bacterial growth, and improving ventilation. Emily emphasizes the value of evaporative cooling, while Brad discusses using sensor technology like SmaXtec rumen boluses to monitor cow behavior and internal temperatures.

Whether you're a dairy producer, 4-H family, or cattle enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights for keeping animals healthy and comfortable during extreme heat.

Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle

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 

In this episode, Emily and Brad reunite to dive into a hot topic on the beef-on-dairy circuit: Are today’s sky-high calf prices economically sustainable? After crisscrossing the country speaking with farmers and cattle buyers, Brad shares firsthand insights and jaw-dropping market figures — with beef-on-dairy calves selling for up to $1,600.

The duo discusses whether investing in calves at these prices can truly yield profit when factoring in feed, labor, and marketing constraints. Brad reviews recent research from Michigan State University suggesting producers may be overpaying by $40–$75 per head based on expected returns. Despite the volatility, beef-on-dairy is here to stay, now making up 15–20% of U.S. beef supply.

Key takeaway: Know your cost of production. It’s the foundation for making smart, profitable decisions in this fast-changing market.

Stay tuned for more workshops and research updates from the Minnesota Beef and Dairy Extension team.

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 

In this episode, Brad shares insights from recent dairy science meetings and dives deep into total serum protein (TSP) levels in calves—a key indicator of successful colostrum management and passive transfer of immunity. He reviews data from multiple studies, including work by Dave Casper in Illinois and a Midwest study on beef-on-dairy cross calves. The results show improvements in TSP levels over time, but highlight that a significant number of calves—especially male and crossbred calves—still arrive at calf ranches with low TSP and signs of poor health.

Brad also shares findings from University of Minnesota research, including a 20-year dataset from Waseca involving nearly 6,000 Holstein calves, showing correlations between TSP, growth rates, and calf survival. He questions the rigid cutoffs for TSP and emphasizes a more nuanced view based on outcomes like average daily gain and long-term milk production.

The episode wraps with details on two upcoming calf care workshops in Minnesota this summer (July 29 in Rochester and August 5 in Eden Valley) where farmers, consultants, and educators can learn about colostrum management, TSP testing, pain mitigation, and more.

Calf Care Workshop - Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Rochester, MN

Calf Care Workshop - Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Eden Valley, MN

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 flies solo in this episode—literally and figuratively—to tackle a problem buzzing on every farmer’s mind around the 4th of July: flies. With heavy rains in the Upper Midwest fueling major fly outbreaks, Brad dives deep into why managing flies is essential for livestock health, productivity, and human comfort.

He covers the four main types of flies affecting livestock—stable flies, house flies, horn flies, and face flies—including their behaviors, lifecycles, preferred habitats, and the economic losses they cause. From foot-stomping stable flies in confinement to pinkeye-spreading face flies on pasture, Brad emphasizes the importance of identifying the fly species to choose effective control methods.

Management strategies discussed include manure and bedding management, fans, fly traps, fly predators, sprays, and even a horn fly vaccine being tested at the UMN research dairy. Brad also shares fascinating research on how coat color in cattle affects fly load, with black-coated animals attracting more flies than lighter-colored ones.

Whether you're dealing with flies in barns or on pasture, this episode breaks down how to reduce their impact on your operation—and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

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