Experience with Our Automated Calf Feeder

In this episode, Brad goes solo to talk about the ups and downs of using an automatic calf feeder at the U of M dairy. He shares why they made the switch, how the setup has changed over the years, and what they’ve learned—like how ad lib feeding boosts growth and why cleanliness is everything. The feeder’s been a game changer for efficiency and calf health, but maintenance headaches and mouse-chewed wires have tested his patience. Still, it’s hard to argue with the results.

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 is back from sunny Florida (and into a snowy Minnesota) to dive into the world of AI in agriculture—and no, we're not talking about artificial insemination. Brad shares his recent experience experimenting with AI-generated audio content and how tools like Google’s NotebookLM are changing the way we interact with research.

From cow monitoring and health alerts to feeding behavior, milk yield forecasting, and even employee training, artificial intelligence is already showing up on farms in more ways than we might realize. Brad covers the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the dairy world, including data integration issues, false alarms, and maintenance headaches. He also highlights exciting tools like Cattle Care and Cattleytics that are pushing dairy efficiency and management forward.

Whether you're AI-curious, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode explores what AI can do with human intelligence—not instead of it.

Cattle-Care AI Video Monitoring

Cattleytics

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

Dairy Cow Culling Research Insights

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad takes a break while guest hosts Emily and Joe dive into a recent research study from the University of Minnesota on dairy cow culling. The study, spanning 14 years of data, compares Holstein and crossbred cows, uncovering key insights about the reasons for culling and its economic impact.

Did you know that dairy cows make up 10% of the U.S. beef market? In this episode of The Moos Room, guest hosts Emily and Joe break down a new University of Minnesota study analyzing 14 years of dairy cow culling data. The study compares Holsteins and crossbred cows, revealing key factors that influence culling decisions, market value, and farm profitability.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why cows are culled (poor reproduction & mastitis top the list)
✅ How cull cows impact the beef market and farm revenue
✅ Which cows bring in the most money—Holsteins vs. crossbreds
✅ How seasonal trends & lactation cycles affect cull value
✅ The future of dairy genetics—is a shift toward dual-purpose cows coming?

This episode challenges the traditional view of dairy culling and explores how breeding, management, and market trends are shaping the future of dairy farming.

Valuing Cull Cows

Reasons for disposal and cull cow value of Holstein cows compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red crossbred cows

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

Gut Check: Optimizing Rumen Health with Dr. Kirby Krogstad

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad welcomes Dr. Kirby Krogstad from The Ohio State University to discuss his research on dairy cow nutrition and gut health. Dr. Krogstad shares his journey through various academic institutions and how a personal experience with cow health sparked his interest in rumen function.

The conversation delves into the impact of diet composition on rumen health, exploring the effects of starch levels and non-forage fiber sources. Dr. Krogstad discusses recent research on acidosis challenges, rumen tissue changes, and how different feed strategies affect milk production and overall cow health. The discussion also covers methane emissions, environmental sustainability, and how dairy nutrition can play a role in reducing the industry's footprint.

Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of maintaining accurate farm records, as sustainability measures become increasingly critical. Dr. Krogstad emphasizes the need for a whole-farm approach to optimize nutrition, improve gut health, and meet future industry demands.

For more insights from Dr. Krogstad, follow him on LinkedIn or read his latest updates at The Cow Prof.

Tune in to this episode for expert insights on maximizing dairy cow nutrition and health!

Kirby Krogstad - The Cow Professor

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

Reducing Methane with Red Seaweed: New Research Findings

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives into a groundbreaking research study on feeding red seaweed to dairy cows to reduce methane emissions. Conducted at the University of Minnesota’s research center, this six-month study demonstrated a 30% reduction in methane emissions without negatively impacting milk production. Brad discusses key findings, including changes in cow efficiency, milk composition, and the microbiome, while also addressing concerns about bromide levels in milk. Additionally, he covers a University of New Hampshire study on the effects of Agolin, an essential oil supplement that increased milk and fat production. Tune in for insights on climate-smart dairy innovations!

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

Mooving Cows: A Game-Changer for Dairy Training

In this episode of The Moos Room, Emily and Bradley welcome Dr. Jennifer Van Os from the University of Wisconsin Extension to discuss an innovative training tool—Mooving Cows, a free mobile game designed to teach proper dairy cattle handling techniques. The app provides an interactive and engaging way to learn low-stress cattle movement, helping farm workers refine their skills in a risk-free environment.

Dr. Van Os shares insights on the game’s development, its impact on farm safety and animal welfare, and how it meets Farm Program continuing education requirements. With over 20,000 downloads worldwide, the app is proving to be a valuable tool for both new and experienced dairy workers.

Tune in to learn how gamification is revolutionizing livestock training, and don’t forget to download Mooving Cows on your device today!

🎧 Listen now!

Apple (iOS): Download in the App Store
Android: Download on Google Play

Mooving Cows Website
What's Up at Holstein USA: "Mooving Cows"

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

The Moos Room Podcast: Catching Up with Brad and Emily

In this episode of The Moos Room, Emily and Brad reunite after a busy stretch of research, extension work, and conference travel. They reflect on where they’ve been, what they’ve been working on, and exciting projects on the horizon.

Brad celebrates his birthday while attending the Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference, where he discusses agrivoltaics—the integration of solar panels and grazing systems. He shares updates on his upcoming webinars, field days, and research efforts related to grazing livestock under solar panels.

Meanwhile, Emily has been deeply involved in organizing multiple conferences, including the Women in Ag Network Conference, the upcoming Ag for All Conference for LGBTQ+ agriculturalists and allies, and the Women's Ag Leadership Conference. She emphasizes the rewarding experience of conference planning and the importance of fostering inclusive, educational spaces for agricultural professionals.

The duo also touches on upcoming extension events, including farm safety programs and Farm Fest, where the University of Minnesota will showcase its latest agricultural innovations.

Looking ahead, Brad shares his enthusiasm for virtual fencing, a technology he plans to test on dairy heifers to manage grazing without traditional fences. He also teases new research into growing wine grapes, tomatoes, and peppers under solar panels to explore the potential of agrivoltaic systems beyond livestock.

As spring approaches, they discuss pasture conditions, concerns over moisture levels, and the importance of easing into the grazing season to ensure sustainable forage growth. Brad hints at more exciting research projects, including heat stress studies on cattle.

They wrap up with a preview of upcoming podcast episodes featuring discussions on animal welfare, cow movement technology, and nutrition.

With so much on the horizon, The Moos Room remains the go-to source for insights into dairy and livestock management, agrivoltaics, and agricultural innovation. Stay tuned!

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

Beef on Dairy: Genomics, Genetics, and Sire Selection

In this final episode of The Moos Room’s three-part Beef on Dairy series, Brad dives into the genetics and genomics of beef-on-dairy crosses. He breaks down the results of genomic testing on 50 crossbred animals, highlighting how breed composition influences carcass traits, marbling, and growth rates.

Brad explains how new genomic tools, such as Neogen’s identity profile, can help farmers predict carcass weight, average daily gain, and marbling potential early in an animal’s life. While the test worked well for supported breeds like Angus and Simmental, results for Charolais and other breeds were inconsistent due to database limitations.

The episode also covers sire differences, showing how genetic selection significantly impacts final carcass quality. Brad discusses his own approach to selecting beef sires for dairy cows—prioritizing calving ease and ribeye area over growth rate. He emphasizes that understanding sire variability is key to optimizing beef-on-dairy performance.

Finally, Brad explores how genomic testing could help feedlot management, allowing producers to sort and feed cattle based on their genetic potential, potentially increasing profitability. However, the cost-effectiveness of testing for terminal animals remains an open question.

Tune in to learn how genomics is shaping the future of beef-on-dairy production!

🎙 Have questions or scathing rebuttals? Email themoosroom@umn.edu.

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