Cattle HQ

How Could Metagenomics Impact the Cattle Industry?

At the young age of 12, Drew Lakamp was a Doctor of Cow Genetics using genetics to compete in the show ring.  After years of breeding cattle to win the show ring, attending college and working for industry, Drew is back in academia earning his PhD from the University of Nebraska to achieve his goal of being Dr. Drew Lakamp. 

This episode of Cattle HQ was inspired by the article “Magic of metagenomics wows judges at BIF Shark Tank competition” written by Connie Sieh Groop for Tri-State Livestock News.  Drew was crowned the winner of the 2024 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Shark Tank competition with his idea of using metagenomics as another tool to aid in selection of cattle. 

During this episode of Cattle HQ, listeners will learn:

• What does metagenomics mean?
• How could metagenomics be used in the beef industry
• The future of using metagenomics as a selection tool.
• Current research using metagenomics to understand pink eye.

BeefSD Class 7

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Dr. Erin DeHaan and Dr. Krista Ehlert from South Dakota State University Extension to discuss the BeefSD program.

Dr. DeHaan is one of SDSU Extension’s Beef Specialists and is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science. She serves as a resource on beef production with a diverse background from meat science to cattle nutrition. Dr. Ehlert is SDSU Extension’s range specialist and is an assistant professor at SDSU in the Department of Natural Resource Management. Her expertise is in rangeland ecology and management, and she enjoys helping producers adopt conservation practices. Both are based out of the SDSU West River Research and Extension Center.

The BeefSD program is accepting applications for Class 7 with applications being due August 26^th, 2024. Topics covered in this episode include:

• What is BeefSD
• Registration and Fees
• What Erin and Krista are most excited for this class

 

Liver Abscesses in the Beef Industry

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson and Sydni Borders, talked with Dr. Ty Lawrence from West Texas A&M about the issue of liver abscesses in the beef industry observed during the 2022 Beef Quality Audit.  Join us during this episode to learn more about: 

• What factors cause liver abscesses.
• What are the production and economic impacts of abscesses to the beef industry.
• How to limit the number abscesses detected.

 

Sydni Borders is a PhD student at SDSU and was the lead research student during the 2022 Beef Quality Audit. 

National Beef Quality Audit

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist, explored the findings of the National Beef Quality Assurance Audit with Sydni Borders. Sydni was the Lead Research Student during the 2022 audit and a PhD student at SDSU. Listen to learn more about:

• What the National Beef Quality Audit is.
• Why all segments of the beef industry should be aware audit and how it impacts the beef industry.
• How the audit was conducted.
• Highlights of the 2022 Beef Quality Audit.

To learn more about the National Beef Quality Audit, visit https://www.bqa.org/resources/national-beef-quality-audits

To learn more about the South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance Program, contact SD BQA Coordinator:  Addie Womack (addie.womack@sdstate.edu).   

Beefing up Herd Health

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Dr. Russ Daly from South Dakota State University Extension. Dr. Daly shares his expertise on herd health.

Dr. Russ Daly is the SDSU Extension’s veterinarian and the South Dakota’s public health veterinarian and is based out of Brookings, SD. He serves as a resource on animal health issues for not only other veterinarians but also industry allies, members, and producers. Herd health plans, how to handle introducing new animals, diseases to be on the lookout for, and vaccination effectiveness are topics of discussion for this episode.

Weathering the Weather as Agriculturists

This week on Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Dr. Darren Clabo fromSouth Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Dr. Clabo shares his expertise on weather and fire across South Dakota.

Dr. Darren Clabo is the South Dakota State Fire Meteorologist and an Associate Professor of Practice at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City. He is fascinated by all things related to weather and climate, especially if those relationships involve wildfire. Listen to learn more about the wildfire in South Dakota, weather and fire outlooks, El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, and weather resources available.

The Human Side of the Business with Trey Patterson: Padlock Ranch

This week on Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist, and Kiernan Brandt former Cow Calf Field Specialist, explored the human side of the Padlock Ranch with Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO.  Listen to learn more about:

• The 5 Elements of Purpose for their employees
• Why humans are not assets, but individual human beings.
• What makes a good boss/leader?

Bieber Red Angus – The culture behind retaining good help.

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Kiernan Brandt sits down with Craig Bieber and Jake Harms from Bieber Red Angus in Leola, SD. After touring the ranch and watching the guy’s photograph sale bulls, take a deep dive into all things red angus, what’s new at one of the premier purebred operations in the country, and most importantly what it takes to attract and keep top-quality employees.

Finding good help has never been simple, and it’s not getting any easier. Hear firsthand how Craig and his team are taking a hands-on approach to ensuring the success and wellbeing of their employees, and how it’s the little things that sometimes have the largest impact.

For more information and resources, visit the SDSU Extension web page.

Never to Early to Consider Next Year’s Winter Feeding Strategies

As the spring and summer seasons progress, decision will need to be made in regards to planting and harvest of annual forages and hay for winter feed. 

 

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson and Olivia Amundson, talked with Drew Gaugler and Doug Seick, producers that have incorporated alternative winter-feeding strategies into their operations.  Listen to learn more about:

• Their experiences with swath grazing and bale grazing.
• How to incorporate standing forages (i.e. corn) into a winter feeding strategy.
• Dos and Don’t to consider when incorporating alternative feeding strategies.

For more information and resources, visit the SDSU Extension web page.

Tom Geary Part 2–The Bull Side of the Equation

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson, Kiernan Brandt and Olivia Amundson, continue their conversation with Dr. Tom Geary, Animal Scientist at Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Montana.  Listen to learn more about:

• Research at Fort Keogh focused on identifying genetic markers of more fertile bulls.
• How trace minerals influence bull fertility.

Please visit the SDSU Extension page for more information and resources