
12.5K
Downloads
78
Episodes
The podcast for cow/calf producers interested in cutting-edge information about cow/calf production from experts and producers in nutrition, reproduction, health and economics. Hosted by SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists Madison Kovarna, Robin Salverson and Addie Womack, Cattle HQ will release new episodes every other week.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing sits down with Calli Williams, a cattle producer, mom, beef advocate and direct-to-consumer business owner to learn more about her perspective on what beef cuts are great for family holiday meals, how much to purchase for gathering, and even some preparation and leftover options.
Taylor and Calli also visit about how they select their genetics to go into the direct-to-consumer beef marketing business. In addition, we touch on the processing options, harvest planning and inspection they take pride in doing to supply a quality, wholesome and nutritious beef product to consumers that they can serve at any family get together.

Thursday Dec 04, 2025
New Findings to Evaluate Bull Fertility
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
During this episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing, Cow/Calf Field Specialist based out of Mitchell visits with Dr. Saulo Zoca, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist for the University of Tennessee. We are going to discuss current research on bull fertility markers and how he started his research in sire fertility looking at water buffalo, to now evaluating beef on dairy sires. In addition, we discuss bull management throughout the winter, paired with proper nutrition and body condition being key to having fertile bulls the following breeding season. Lastly, breeding soundness exams are evaluating more than just semen and how all bulls need to be scored before they get turned out.

Friday Nov 14, 2025
Creating a Genetic Roadmap
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
On today’s episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist visits with Dr. Randi Culbertson, Cow/Calf Extension Specialist and Faculty at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to dig into utilizing genetic resources such as EPDs and Genomics available for cattlemen to create a genetic roadmap for their operations.

Friday Nov 07, 2025
Johne’s Disease in the Beef Industry
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Johne’s is a bacterial disease that is a slow progressive disease that affects both the beef and dairy industries. During this episode Dr. Daly shares why cattle producers should be concerned about this disease.
Listen to this episode to learn more about:
- The clinical signs of Johne’s disease.
- How the disease is transmitted and how to manage transmission.
- Strategies to manage Johne’s through testing.
Dr. Russ Daly is the Extension Veterinarian and Professor in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department at SDSU.
Visit the SDSU Extension website to learn more about Johne’s.

Friday Oct 17, 2025
When the Pens are Empty, the Data Talks
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
On this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Dr. Justin Waggoner from Kansas State University. Justin is a professor and an Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. Justin recently presented at the Siouxland Feedlot Forum, a joint-venture with SDSU Extension and UNL Extension, regarding a feedlot close out dataset that they have been working on for almost 30 years. Madison was able to convince him to get behind the mic again to share trends and his thoughts on not only the dataset that he manages, but also how important it is for producers to capture their own close out data.

Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Make Grazing Simple Again – Winter corn residue grazing
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
On today’s episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist visits with Dr. Rick Funston Professor and Extension Reproductive Specialist with the University of Nebraska Extension and based out of the West Central Research and Extension center in North Platte, NE.
Listen to learn more about how simple grazing corn residue can make cattle feeding during the winter. Topics addressed include:
- The ins and outs of grazing corn residue – what to look for before turning out cattle
- How to match supplement strategies with grazing resources
- Economics of grazing corn residue for both livestock owners and cropland operators
Visit SDSU Extension to learn more about grazing corn residue.

Friday Oct 03, 2025
Learn More About the Whole Farm Planning Program
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce a farm planning program designed to provide a more complete look at what farm and ranch families need.
During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson visits with Dr. Lora Saboe Wounded Head the Whole Farm Planning program offered by SDSU Extension.
Listen to learn:
- Why is this program important to farm and ranch families.
- Where and when this program will be held in South Dakota
- Who should attend this program?
- Learn how Dr. Lorna Saboe Wounded Head can help farm and ranch families with financial resource management.
Visit SDSU Extension (www.extension.sdstate.edu) to learn more and register for the Whole Farm Program.
Contact Dr. Lorna Saboe Wounded Head at lorna.woundedhead@sdstate.edu or 605-782-3290.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Congestive heart failure in cattle is a concern amongst cow calf producers and feedyards throughout the Midwest. Often considered a high-altitude issue, however, Dr. Brian Vander Ley discusses during this episode of Cattle HQ, why producers in the lower elevations of northern great plains should be aware of congestive heart failure. Listen to learn more about:
- What is congestive heart failure and clinical signs.
- What causes congestive heart failure.
- At what age does congestive heart failure affect the animal.
- The financial impact on industry.
- What can cow calf producers do to reduce the incidences of congestive heart failure.
Dr. Brian Vander Ley is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and the Director of the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center (GPVEC) within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Vander Ley has been working in the area of congestive heart failure over 8 years

Monday Sep 22, 2025
Receiving New Calves into the Feedlot
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
During this episode of Cattle HQ, Taylor Grussing, Cow/Calf Field Specialist based out of Mitchell along with co-host Addie Stamps, SDSU Extension Livestock Production and Stewardship Field Specialist visit with, Dr. Warren Rusche and Dr. Zach Smith, South Dakota State University Assistant Professors based out of Brookings, SD, to discuss tips on sourcing and receiving new calves into the feedlot.

Monday Sep 15, 2025
Rancher’s Perspective on The Importance of Livestock Water Quality
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
The Johnson Ranch has a long history of producing seedstock and the tradition continues with Bailey Johnson. The ranch located northwest of Mobridge, South Dakota is unique because they rely solely on dams to water their cattle throughout the year. During this episode of Cattle HQ, listeners will hear from Bailey to learn more on how they use livestock water testing to better manage their pastures and cattle.
- Why did they begin testing their water?
- What impacts have Johnson Ranch seen due to poor quality water.
- What management strategies have they incorporated due to water quality.
- How do they test their water?
- Learn more about the service of Livestock Water Testing by SDSU Extension.
To learn more about the Livestock Water Testing service that SDSU Extension provides, visit SDSU Extension.
