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.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 15:55
Virtual fencing is drawing plenty of questions from grazing dairy and beef producers. In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad shares what the University of Minnesota’s West…
Sep 21, 2026 · 17:43
Brad begins with an update from the WCROC dairy, where corn silage harvest is complete, fall calving is underway, and new Angus and beef-on-dairy calves are arriving. The episode…
Sep 14, 2026 · 13:49
Early calf socialization may deliver long-term benefits Can housing calves together during their first weeks of life affect how they perform as cows? This episode examines…
Sep 7, 2026 · 19:56
Can AI turn mountains of dairy data into practical management insights? This episode explores how tools like ChatGPT can analyze bulk tank records, DHI reports, and…
Aug 31, 2026 · 16:20
What is the ideal age at first calving for Holstein heifers? Brad examines a Zoetis study of nearly 130,000 cows from 74 dairy herds. Although heifers calving at 26 months…
Aug 24, 2026 · 15:21
Lameness can quietly reduce milk production, cow welfare, and dairy farm profitability. In this episode of The Moos Room, we examine how a difficult, wet spring prompted our…
Aug 17, 2026 · 14:43
After a busy week showing dairy cattle at the county fair, Brad explores research on the dairy cow’s 12-month biological clock. Using data from 332 Western U.S. dairy herds, the…
Aug 10, 2026 · 18:21
This episode previews new U.S. dairy genetic evaluations scheduled for release by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding on August 11, 2026. Two new calf-health traits will measure…
Aug 3, 2026 · 17:34
After sharing how recent heat stress caused an average milk loss of four pounds per cow in his herd, Brad turns his attention to lameness and footbath management. He examines a…
Jul 27, 2026 · 17:00
Beef-on-dairy calves continue to bring strong prices, but producing calves that perform well from birth through harvest requires careful decisions about genetics and nutrition.…
Jul 20, 2026 · 16:01
This episode examines how heat stress affects water intake in dairy cows—and why farms must prepare their watering systems for increasingly hot weather. A review of studies from…
Jul 13, 2026 · 15:21
Brad shares preliminary results from a University of Minnesota study examining feed intake, methane emissions, and feeding behavior in Holstein and crossbred dairy heifers. Using…
Jul 6, 2026 · 19:56
Brad takes a closer look at heat stress in dairy calves and cows. This episode highlights several recent studies on how temperature-humidity index affects calf behavior, lying…
Jun 29, 2026 · 19:10
Back from the ADSA annual meeting in Milwaukee, Brad shares highlights from several calf-focused dairy studies. This episode covers new research on colostrum management for…
Jun 22, 2026 · 17:05
Brad shares two studies He presented at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting. First, he examines records from more than 150,000 lactations to compare genetic…
Jun 15, 2026 · 17:33
Brad discusses what he learned about high oleic soybeans at the Four State Dairy Management and Nutrition Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. High oleic soybeans are gaining…
Jun 8, 2026 · 14:37
A case of New World screwworm was recently identified in a three-month-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. In this episode, Brad breaks down what New…
Jun 1, 2026 · 17:41
Brad discusses new research comparing dairy heifers raised on pasture versus in confinement, focusing on studies from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Both studies found that…
May 25, 2026 · 24:00
Brad shares updates from the University of Minnesota Morris dairy herd, including cows heading out to spring pasture, a recent Holstein classification, and highlights from…
May 18, 2026 · 19:37
In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad discusses spring pasture challenges in western Minnesota, including dry conditions, temperature swings, and slowed grass growth. With…
May 11, 2026 · 17:03
Brad takes a closer look at FerAppease, a synthetic analog of the maternal bovine appeasing substance that is gaining attention in both the dairy and beef industries. He explains…
May 4, 2026 · 19:03
Virtual fencing is gaining attention in livestock production, and this episode breaks down what dairy producers need to know before trying it. Brad explains how virtual fencing…
Apr 27, 2026 · 17:57
This episode highlights new research on Salmonella Dublin in dairy-beef systems and what it means for calf health and farm management. The disease is a major threat to young…
Apr 20, 2026 · 23:11
Spring may be slow to arrive in Minnesota, but research season is heating up. In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad revisits a large Minnesota-based study exploring the true…
Apr 13, 2026 · 18:02
This episode of The Moos Room dives into new research on agrivoltaics—specifically how forages perform when grown under solar panels in grazing systems. Brad shares results from…
Apr 6, 2026 · 18:03
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…
Mar 30, 2026 · 15:54
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…
Mar 23, 2026 · 18:28
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…
Mar 16, 2026 · 21:46
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.…
Mar 9, 2026 · 16:23
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…
Mar 2, 2026 · 25:12
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…
Feb 23, 2026 · 19:14
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…
Feb 16, 2026 · 33:37
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…
Feb 9, 2026 · 32:05
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…
Feb 2, 2026 · 17:46
On a warm-for-February day in Minnesota, Brad dives into two topics shaping today’s dairy landscape: changing dairy herd demographics in the Upper Midwest and new research on…
Jan 26, 2026 · 27:37
Brad checks in from a brutally cold stretch in western Minnesota (30–40°F below zero), noting the cows are handling it well and somatic cell counts tend to run low in the extreme…
Jan 19, 2026 · 16:24
In this solo episode of The Moos Room , Brad shares “hot off the press” research on circadian rhythms in dairy cows and what long-term sensor data can tell us about cow welfare.…
Jan 12, 2026 · 8:44
In this solo “Emily Show” episode of The Moos Room , Emily takes a timely look at mastitis management during the winter months . While mastitis and high somatic cell counts are…
Jan 5, 2026 · 33:21
In the first episode of 2026, Emily and Brad kick off a New Year’s “resolution” to record more episodes together and dive into one of their favorite themes: management . The…
Dec 29, 2025 · 25:48
In the final episode of 2025, Emily and Brad reflect on another big year for The Moos Room , marking more than 300 episodes since launching in 2019 . They look back on key 2025…
Dec 22, 2025 · 8:18
In this short solo episode of The Moos Room , Emily takes the mic to talk about managing holiday stress through setting healthy boundaries. With the holidays approaching, Emily…
Dec 15, 2025 · 21:43
In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad dives into a landmark new study examining the effects of short- and long-distance transport on the health, survival, and growth of…
Dec 8, 2025 · 29:20
In this episode, Brad and Emily welcome a special guest: Dr. Angie Varnum , the University of Minnesota Extension’s new livestock veterinarian. After some banter about Minnesota…
Dec 1, 2025 · 20:02
In this solo episode of The Moos Room , Brad dives into a deep, honest look at production challenges in the University of Minnesota dairy herd and the nutrition and management…
Nov 24, 2025 · 23:43
Brad and Emily reunite on the podcast to dive into an essential—and timely—topic: farmer mental health . With fall wrapping up and winter on the horizon, stressors on the farm…
Nov 17, 2025 · 24:47
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…
Nov 10, 2025 · 24:18
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.…
Nov 3, 2025 · 21:10
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…
Oct 27, 2025 · 58:58
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…
Oct 20, 2025 · 36:38
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…
Oct 13, 2025 · 24:28
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…
Oct 6, 2025 · 28:04
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…
Sep 29, 2025 · 24:39
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…
Sep 22, 2025 · 32:08
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,…
Sep 15, 2025 · 26:22
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…
Sep 8, 2025 · 22:08
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…
Sep 1, 2025 · 9:22
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…
Aug 25, 2025 · 21:31
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…
Aug 18, 2025 · 19:27
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…
Aug 11, 2025 · 20:11
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…
Aug 4, 2025 · 26:46
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…
Jul 28, 2025 · 35:20
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…
Jul 21, 2025 · 20:11
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…
Jul 14, 2025 · 20:50
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…
Jul 7, 2025 · 24:35
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…
Jun 30, 2025 · 13:28
In this solo episode, Emily shares timely reminders about biosecurity as county fair and livestock show season ramps up across Minnesota. Drawing on her own experience showing…
Jun 23, 2025 · 32:40
🎉 Episode 300: Celebrating Five Years of The Moos Room 🎉 In this milestone episode, Emily and Brad reflect on five years and 300 episodes of The Moos Room, a podcast that began…
Jun 16, 2025 · 20:54
In Episode 299 of The Moos Room , Emily returns to the mic, reminding Brad—and the audience—that The Moos Room is a team effort, not just "The Bradley Show." The two catch up and…
Jun 9, 2025 · 22:12
In this solo episode, Brad dives into the challenges of managing mastitis, especially during wet spring and summer conditions. He shares findings from ongoing University of…
Jun 2, 2025 · 23:19
In this solo episode, Brad dives deep into Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis), a chronic intestinal illness affecting ruminants, with a particular focus on dairy cattle. Prompted…
May 26, 2025 · 21:35
In this episode, Brad shares a recent case study from the University of Minnesota's dairy research center, where a group of spring-born calves experienced widespread scours. He…
May 19, 2025 · 40:28
Lyme Disease and the Long Road to Recovery: Brad’s Story In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad shares his powerful personal journey through a long and challenging battle with…
May 12, 2025 · 25:31
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Emily returns for a second week in a row to join Brad in discussing a common but often overlooked type of stress: anticipatory stress .…
May 5, 2025 · 26:01
Spring Catch-Up: Virtual Fencing, Safety, and Self-Care Emily returns to the podcast after a travel-heavy spring focused on farm safety and farm stress programming. She shares…
Apr 28, 2025 · 22:55
In this episode, Brad dives into the topic of polled genetics — cattle that are naturally hornless — and why it's becoming more important in both the dairy and beef industries.…
Apr 21, 2025 · 27:16
In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad dives deep into A2 genetics and what dairy producers need to know. Brad shares his experience genotyping over 1,500 dairy animals,…
Apr 14, 2025 · 22:58
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…
Apr 7, 2025 · 23:11
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…
Mar 31, 2025 · 20:45
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…
Mar 24, 2025 · 24:09
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…
Mar 17, 2025 · 25:38
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…
Mar 10, 2025 · 26:05
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…
Mar 3, 2025 · 25:32
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…
Feb 24, 2025 · 22:46
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…
Feb 17, 2025 · 29:28
Beef on Dairy Research: Growth, Efficiency, and Carcass Data In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad continues the deep dive into beef-on-dairy research, focusing on data…
Feb 10, 2025 · 35:21
Beef on Dairy: Trends, Economics, and Genetics (Part 1) Brad takes the mic solo this week to dive into a hot topic in dairy farming—beef on dairy crossbreeding. In this first…
Feb 3, 2025 · 25:45
In this episode of The Moos Room , hosts Emily and Brad tackle the latest updates on H5N1 (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and its impact on the dairy industry. With raw milk…
Jan 27, 2025 · 32:56
In this episode of The Moos Room , Brad and Emily are joined by Katie Schmitt from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to discuss the organization's role in managing…
Jan 20, 2025 · 13:09
In this solo episode of The Moos Room , Emily discusses essential cold weather safety tips for farmers and agricultural workers. With below-zero temperatures in Minnesota, Emily…
Jan 13, 2025 · 23:56
In this episode, Emily and Brad discuss winter barn fire prevention, highlighting common causes such as outdated wiring and heating equipment. They share real-life stories,…
Jan 6, 2025 · 22:36
In the first episode of 2025, Brad dives into a real-life case study of a calf that succumbed to coccidiosis at the University of Minnesota's research center. Learn about the…
Dec 30, 2024 · 27:11
Join us for The Moos Room's epic year-end wrap-up! We’re looking back at 2024’s biggest highlights, revisiting key episodes, and sharing what’s ahead for the world of…
Dec 23, 2024 · 25:03
The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it also brings unique challenges for farmers managing livestock and family life in the depths of winter. In this episode of The Moos…
Dec 16, 2024 · 25:20
In this episode of The Moos Room, we dive into cutting-edge research on a camera-based technology for detecting lameness in dairy cattle. Lameness is a significant issue…
Dec 9, 2024 · 30:51
We’re diving into the creation and purpose of ManureDB, a groundbreaking database developed to modernize and enhance the accuracy of manure book values in the U.S. With most…
Dec 7, 2024 · 7:50
USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State…
Dec 2, 2024 · 24:02
In this episode of The Moos Room , we dive into the world of dairy calf monitoring with cutting-edge sensor technologies. We explore how tools like CowManager , ST Genetics…
Nov 25, 2024 · 30:05
Dive into the evolving world of DHIA! This episode explores milk fatty acids, ELISA testing for Johne's and Leukosis, new RFID tags for official ID, cutting-edge DHIA meters, and…
Nov 21, 2024 · 8:13
H5N1 virus found in Martin County, Minnesota backyard poultry (ducks and guinea fowl). Pennsylvania starts mandatory bulk tank milk surveillance for H5N1. Hawaii has first case…
Nov 18, 2024 · 27:12
We dive into the latest Bovine Leukosis (BLV) control strategies from a University of Minnesota dairy study at our herd in Morris. Learn how testing revealed a 28% BLV prevalence…
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