Horns N Hooves

The DNA Test Mistakes Every Cattle Owner Makes - With Stefanie Oppenheim, UC Davis VGL

If you've ever sent off a hair sample and wondered if you were doing it right — this episode is going to stop you in your tracks. Lori and Taylor sit down with Stefanie Oppenheim, animal scientist and senior analyst at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, to break down everything Highland and mini Highland owners need to know about genetic testing — from how to pull hair correctly to what those colour results actually mean. This is one of the most practically useful episodes the show has done. Whether you're testing for chondro, coat colour, polled, or free martin, Stefanie walks you through exactly what the lab needs, why it matters, and what mistakes people make every single day. Key Takeaways Always pull hair from the tail switch and never cut it — the DNA is in the root bulb, not the shaft. Send both the MC1R and dilution tests to get a complete picture of coat colour.  Buying semen? Ask for the bull's VGL case number before you breed anything.  A free martin test coming back positive doesn't automatically mean the heifer is infertile — always work with your vet.  DNA on file at VGL is a permanent fingerprint — it can identify lost animals, verify parentage and protect buyers. Episode Highlights Stefanie reveals the most common mistake breeders make when submitting hair samples — and it's an easy fix.  The team digs into chondrodysplasia, brindle genetics, polled versus scurred, and what a free martin result really means.  Taylor raises the question of DNA verification for high-value semen purchases — and Stefanie's answer is something every mini Highland breeder should hear.  Lori admits in real time what she's been doing wrong. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & intro to UC Davis VGL  00:59 — Stefanie's background in animal science and genetics  05:13 — How to pull and submit hair samples correctly  07:28 — Why root bulbs matter and how many hairs to send  09:32 — Labelling, case numbers and avoiding mix-ups  14:45 — Why uploading a photo with your sample helps  16:18 — DNA as a permanent identity fingerprint  20:47 — Semen purchases, AI and DNA verification  34:36 — Coat colour testing: MC1R, dilution and why you need both  37:13 — Chondrodysplasia and the Dexter connection in minis  41:21 — Brindle genetics explained  58:28 — Polled versus horned versus scurred  01:02:48 — Free martin testing: what the result really means Order cattle genetic tests at vgl.ucdavis.edu Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Why Your Fly Control Isn't Working - With Jessica Starcevich

Flies are one of the biggest battles livestock owners face every summer - and most of us are fighting them wrong. This week Lori sits down with Jessica Starcevich, entomologist and fly control expert at Spalding Labs, to break down what's actually living on your animals, why your fly bags might be making things worse, and how to build a smarter, more natural approach to fly control. From horn flies and face flies to house flies and biting stable flies - they're not all the same, they don't all breed in the same place, and they don't all respond to the same treatment. If you've been spraying permethrin all summer and still losing the battle, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Not all flies are the same species - identifying where they are on the animal tells you everything.  Fly bags placed near barns can actually attract more flies than they catch.  Rotating your spray active ingredients reduces resistance.  Dung beetles are your best free tool - don't kill them with the wrong wormer.  Fly Predators target house and stable flies in confined areas and can achieve up to 75–90% control. Episode Highlights Jessica explains the four main fly species affecting pastured cattle and how to tell them apart.  Lori gets the wake-up call about her fly bags and how she was using them wrong.  The conversation covers IPM — integrated pest management — and how to build a whole-farm fly program without spending more than you need to.  Plus: what fly predators actually are, how they work, and why you should call Spalding Labs before ordering if you have over 50 animals or multiple species. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & intro to fly control  01:35 — Jessica's background & Spalding Labs' 50 years in business  02:39 — What fly predators are and how they work  04:11 — The four fly species affecting cattle & how to identify them  07:28 — IPM: integrated pest management explained  09:18 — Fly control for manure piles and large pastures  16:04 — Why fly bags can backfire  20:22 — How to know what flies you actually have  23:35 — Resistance to sprays and rotating active ingredients  28:22 — How fly predators reproduce and what results to expect  31:09 — When to call Spalding Labs instead of ordering online Learn more and get a custom fly program at www.spalding-labs.com [http://www.spalding-labs.com] Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com [http://hornsnhoovesauction.com] Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Calves, Chaos & The Mother's Day Sale - Lori Racicky & Taylor Hauser

Lori and Taylor are back solo and they've got a lot going on - from weaning 60 calves single-handed in a storm to setting up 77 head for AI in ice pellets and sleet. This episode is a real peek behind the barn door at what it actually takes to run a Highland operation, and it comes with a teaser for something exciting: their Mother's Day auction on May 10th at hornsnhoovesauction.com. They also get into the nitty gritty of weaning age, calf nutrition after early weaning, why keeping calves on mom longer pays off, and embryo work - including a research study with Vitali and some surprise results from Taylor's first embryo calf crop. Key Takeaways Pulling calves at four months isn't always enough - nutrition and socialisation are critical if you do. Chondro testing matters for every calf, not just the ones you're keeping.  Private auctions protect buyer anonymity and let you announce your own purchases.  Pasture management and drought conditions are hitting Nebraska hard - fires have burned over a million acres. Episode Highlights Taylor weans 60 head solo with two boys underfoot - and catches a surprise live birth at the finish line.  Lori and Taylor break down their Mother's Day auction lineup: Chondropositive heifers, High  Park calves, Pickle genetics, and Tornado Cutie - Jackson's miniature panda calf with a story.  Plus embryo results, AI planning, and why private auctions are the move. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & Mother's Day auction announcement  01:08 — UC Davis & Spalding Labs podcast updates  01:43 — Taylor's solo weaning story & surprise calving  06:06 — Pasture management, drought & Nebraska fires  12:21 — Auction format: why private bidding matters  14:00 — Weaning age, calf nutrition & rumen development  19:03 — AI, embryo work & calf crop results  25:02 — Full auction lineup breakdown  41:10 — Sale details: 9am Central, May 10th Find your next herd addition at www.hornsnhoovesauction.com [http://www.hornsnhoovesauction.com] Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Online Livestock Auctions Demystified - with Carol and Becky of W2 Auction Solutions

📣 Horns N Hooves are back with another auction - Mother's Day Sale, May 10th. More details to follow! Ever wondered how online livestock auctions actually work - and whether to trust them? Lori and Taylor sit down with Carol and Becky from Willoughby and W2 Auction Solutions to pull back the curtain on the online auction world. From reserves and racehorse-style bidding to bidder anonymity and fair market value, this episode cuts through the noise and the Facebook drama. Key Takeaways Online auctions create a level playing field for buyers and sellers.  Reserves and floors are not the same thing - knowing the difference matters.  Racehorse-style bidding benefits both buyers and sellers.  Bidder anonymity protects everyone and is standard practice across all auction types.  Auction results across different farms cannot be directly compared - genetics, registration, and marketing all affect price. Episode Highlights Carol explains how W2 Auction Solutions went from live shows to pioneering online livestock sales in 2006.  The team breaks down racehorse-style vs. staggered-ending auctions and why livestock sellers prefer it.  Lori and Carol tackle the Facebook misconceptions around shill bidding and fake prices.  Becky and the hosts discuss why even smaller breeders benefit from using auction software. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome back and guest introductions  01:14 — How W2 Auction Solutions was born  04:00 — Why online auctions cut out the time-wasters  07:44 — Racehorse-style vs. staggered ending auctions  09:03 — Reserves, floors, and fair market value explained  10:25 — The truth about bidder anonymity  17:39 — Misconceptions and the online auction learning curve  25:06 — Can you compare prices across different auctions?  30:00 — Building your brand before you sell Follow Us Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Registered vs Unregistered, Calving Chaos and Farm Life Realities with Lauren of Grand Marsh Highlands

What does it really take to build a Highland cattle herd from scratch? This week Taylor sits down with Lauren of Grand Marsh Highlands - a small-scale farmer from Northwest Indiana who went from suburban life to mini Highlands in just six years. Lauren shares the honest realities of cattle ownership: navigating financial hardship, treating sick animals, calving complications, and running a farm solo with young kids. If you're thinking about starting a herd, this one's essential listening. Key Takeaways Have a large animal vet lined up before your cattle arrive.  A head gate or chute is essential - not optional.  Registered mini Highlands suit smaller acreages and tighter budgets.  Cattle are a genuine financial asset when life gets tough.  Know your medicines before your animals arrive. Episode Highlights Lauren's journey from full-size to mini Highlands.  Why registered cattle make better business sense. Managing calving complications including meconium-covered calves.  Balancing farm work solo with young children.  Farm safety realities and heavy machinery near-misses. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introducing Lauren  01:22 Navigating financial hardship with cattle  04:48 What Lauren wishes she'd known from the start  08:06 Head gates and cattle handling setups  13:45 Registered vs unregistered-  the switch to minis  19:00 Calving complications and what to watch for  20:17 Farming solo with young kids  23:42 Farm safety moments Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]