The Moos Room™
Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful.
University of Minnesota Extension
Show overview
The Moos Room™ has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 354 episodes, alongside 2 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 150 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 19 min and 30 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Science show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 25 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 73 episodes published. Published by University of Minnesota Extension.
From the publisher
Hosted by members of the University of Minnesota Extension Beef and Dairy Teams, The Moos Room discusses relevant topics to help beef and dairy producers be more successful. The information is evidence-based and presented as an informal conversation between the hosts and guests.
Latest Episodes
View all 354 episodesEpisode 352 - Somatic Cell Count Genetics and Heifer Feed Efficiency - UMN Extension's The Moos Rom
Episode 351 - High Oleic Soybeans: A New Tool for Dairy Rations? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 350 - New World Screwworm Returns to the U.S.: What Farmers Need to Know - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 349 - Can Pasture-Raised Heifers Outperform Confinement Heifers? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 348 - Holstein Classification and Crossbreeding Lessons from Minnesota Dairy Research - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 347 - Heat Stress Starts Earlier Than We Think: Using Cow Sensors to Stay Ahead - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 346 - FerAppease for Dairy Cows and Calves: Can Reducing Stress Improve Pregnancy Rates and Growth? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 345 - Virtual Fencing for Grazing Cattle: Costs, Training, and Practical Tips - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 344 - Salmonella Dublin: The Hidden Threat in Dairy-Beef Systems - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 343 - The Hidden Cost of Cow Health: Why It Pays to Look Beyond ‘Sick or Not - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Episode 342 - Cows, Kilowatts, and Cool-Season Grasses: What Grows Best Under Solar? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Ep 342Episode 341 - Stop Mastitis Before It Starts: Pre-Calving Training That Works - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares insights from a recent study at the University of Minnesota Morris dairy focused on reducing mastitis and improving behavior in first-lactation heifers. The research tested a simple, low-labor strategy: bringing heifers into the parlor once per week for three weeks before calving, gently acclimating them, and applying a 1% iodine teat dip. Results showed that trained heifers were calmer, easier to milk, and significantly less likely to kick during milking, improving both animal welfare and milker safety. While overall clinical mastitis rates did not differ, the treatment notably reduced Staphylococcus aureus infections, with untrained heifers having five times greater odds of infection shortly after calving. The episode highlights how small, proactive management steps before calving can break the cycle of stress, poor behavior, and disease—offering a practical approach to improving transition success in dairy heifers. Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 341Episode 340 - Beef-on-Dairy Boom: Why Crossbred Calves Are Winning - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Spring calving is underway in Minnesota, and with it comes renewed focus on the booming beef-on-dairy market. In this episode, Brad dives into current calf prices—highlighting the strong premium for beef-cross calves—and breaks down new research comparing Holstein and beef × dairy calves under the same management. Across studies from Canada and Brazil, crossbred calves consistently showed advantages: lower rates of diarrhea, fewer treatment interventions, improved starter intake, and greater feed efficiency. While respiratory disease incidence was similar, crossbreds recovered faster and required fewer treatments. By 84 days, crossbred calves were heavier and more efficient to raise, reinforcing long-standing evidence that heterosis improves calf performance. The takeaway is clear: beef-on-dairy calves not only bring strong market value but also demonstrate biological and economic advantages during the pre-weaning phase—making them an increasingly attractive strategy for dairy producers navigating volatile milk markets. Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 340Episode 339- Horn Fly Vaccines: What We Learned from a Summer Study - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
On this spring episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives into the seasonal return of flies and shares results from a recent horn fly vaccine study conducted at the University of Minnesota’s WCROC. Horn flies—common in pasture-based systems—cause significant irritation, blood loss, and production losses in cattle, and their rapid life cycle makes them difficult to control, especially with increasing insecticide resistance.The study evaluated a Medgene horn fly vaccine designed to disrupt the fly’s ability to take a blood meal, ultimately reducing reproduction. Researchers vaccinated about half of the cows and heifers across organic (pasture-based) and conventional (dry lot) systems and tracked fly populations throughout the summer. While no differences were observed for face flies or stable flies—as expected—the vaccine showed promising results for horn flies. There was little effect in conventional cows, but in pasture-based animals, especially heifers, vaccinated groups experienced a consistent 30–40% reduction in horn fly numbers compared to controls.Overall, the findings suggest that horn fly vaccination could be a valuable new tool—particularly for grazing and organic dairy systems—to help manage fly pressure and improve animal well-being over time.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 339Episode 338 - Dairy by the Numbers: Production, Breeds, and Herd Size - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares a spring dairy update and breaks down newly released national performance metrics from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, offering a snapshot of what the U.S. dairy herd looks like today. He also touches on a major industry headline—Zoetis’ planned acquisition of Neogen’s animal genomics business—and what that could mean for dairy genetics going forward.A big part of the episode focuses on the red-hot calf market, especially for beef-on-dairy crosses. Brad highlights eye-popping prices from Minnesota sale barns, where Holstein bull calves and beef-cross calves are bringing in far more than producers would have expected just a few years ago. He reflects on how dramatically the economics of beef-on-dairy have changed and what that could mean for breeding decisions on dairies this year.The second half of the episode dives into the new national herd data, including milk production, components, somatic cell counts, herd size, and breed distribution across the country. Brad walks through where Holsteins, Jerseys, crossbreds, Brown Swiss, Guernseys, Ayrshires, and Milking Shorthorns stand today, and which states are leading in cow numbers and herd size. It’s a practical, numbers-driven look at dairy trends in the U.S. and a useful update for anyone interested in genetics, herd demographics, and where the industry is heading.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 338Episode 337 - Bucket or Nipple: What’s the Best Way to Feed Calves? - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad explores a recent study comparing two common calf-feeding methods: open buckets and nipple buckets. While most U.S. dairies rely on open buckets because they allow calves to drink quickly and reduce chore time, the research looked at how these systems affect calf growth, digestion, and behavior.The study followed individually housed calves fed six liters of milk per day until weaning at eight weeks. Calves fed with open buckets finished their milk much faster, often in under two minutes, while nipple-fed calves took about five minutes because the system mimics natural suckling. Despite the difference in drinking speed, both groups had similar growth rates and physical development.However, behavior and digestion told a more interesting story. Calves fed with open buckets consumed more starter grain and spent more time ruminating, but they also showed more non-nutritive oral behaviors like sucking on pen fixtures or other calves—likely because their natural suckling drive wasn’t satisfied. Nipple-fed calves showed fewer of these behaviors, had slightly firmer feces, and exhibited metabolic signals suggesting improved digestion.Brad breaks down the trade-offs for dairy producers: open buckets offer efficiency and faster feeding, while nipple buckets may better support calf welfare and natural behavior. The episode highlights how feeding systems can influence calf behavior, digestion, and management decisions on dairy farms.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 337Episode 336 - Heat, Herd Size and Cow Factors: Understanding SCC in Organic Herds - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Brad shares results from a large national research project examining somatic cell count (SCC) and mastitis risk in U.S. organic dairy herds, using more than 2 million DHI test-day records from 430 farms across 31 states. The discussion highlights how SCC is influenced by multiple factors, including cow age, stage of lactation, milk production, breed, season, region, and herd size. Older cows, early-lactation animals, and lower-producing cows were most likely to have elevated SCC, while heat stress—especially during summer months—and larger herd size significantly increased risk. Because organic systems cannot rely on antibiotics, Brad emphasizes prevention strategies such as improved fresh-cow management, heat abatement, careful monitoring of chronic cows, and strong milking hygiene as key tools for controlling mastitis and maintaining milk quality. Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 336Episode 335 - What the Necropsy Revealed: Hidden Heart Issues and Citrobacter Abortions
In this solo episode, Brad shares a few recent herd-health case studies from his dairy, highlighting the value of diagnostics and transparency.He walks through two calf losses—one at 60 days old and another at 9 months. Both animals had been treated for common issues but continued to decline. Necropsies revealed severe heart abnormalities in each case (thin, underdeveloped ventricles), pointing toward possible genetic or nutritional causes. The takeaway: without a necropsy, these would have remained unexplained losses.Brad also discusses a recent abortion in a dry cow. Diagnostic testing ruled out BVD and IBR and identified Citrobacter sp., an environmental organism found in manure, soil, and bedding that can contribute to abortions. He suspects environmental exposure in wintered dry cows may have played a role.Overall, the episode emphasizes investigating unexpected losses, using lab diagnostics, and learning from on-farm challenges as spring calving approaches.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 335Episode 334- The Cow of the Future: Built for Producers, Powered by Precision - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Emily and Brad re-record this episode of The Moos Room after a technical glitch wiped out Emily’s audio—and dive into a big question: What does the dairy cow of the future look like?Inspired by a recent Journal of Dairy Science paper, they move beyond the classic Holstein vs. Jersey debate to discuss a more balanced vision. Instead of selecting for maximum milk at all costs, the future cow will prioritize resilience, fertility, longevity, feed efficiency, and environmental sustainability.They explore how genomics must be paired with real-world performance data (phenotypes), how precision technologies and robots are shaping breeding goals, and why moderate size and genetic diversity matter. From methane efficiency to beef-on-dairy and even gene editing, the episode highlights how breeding decisions today are shaping a smarter, more sustainable cow for tomorrow.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory
Ep 334Episode 333 - Beef on Dairy in a Hot Market: Calf Prices, Cattle Numbers, and Sire Selection - UMN Extension's The Moos Room
Calf prices are making headlines, and in this episode Emily and Brad are joined by UMN Extension beef educator Melissa Runck to talk through what today’s hot beef and beef-on-dairy markets mean for producers.They discuss why newborn beef-cross calves are bringing record prices, how that cash can help dairy farms when milk prices are low, and what the latest Cattle on Feed report tells us about declining inventories and producers’ reluctance to keep heifers as replacements. The group then dives into beef-on-dairy sire selection, emphasizing realistic goals over the search for a “perfect” bull, the importance of calving ease and fertility, and when carcass traits and indexes matter based on how calves are marketed.The episode wraps up with a practical look at facilities and management, underscoring that good management—more than perfect buildings—drives success with beef-on-dairy cattle.Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!Linkedin -> The Moos RoomTwitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafetyFacebook -> @UMNDairyYouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and HealthInstagram -> @UMNWCROCDairyExtension WebsiteAgriAmerica Podcast Directory