American Dairymen

Hawkeye Breeders Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have our hosts Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman and they chat with David Jensen and Cesar Melgar with Hawkeye Breeders.  Jensen explains that Hawkeye Breeders is a custom bull collection facility that does not own or market bulls but provides semen collection services for artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and IVF for a global customer base. He traces the history of artificial insemination from cooled semen shipped in milk fat on milk trucks to modern frozen semen, sexed semen, genomic tools, and advanced reproductive technologies. Jensen outlines the semen collection process using trained teaser steers and artificial vaginas, emphasizing the importance of evaluating motility, morphology, and concentration. He stresses that breeding soundness exams are critical “cheap insurance” to ensure bulls are structurally sound, reproductively normal, and capable of settling cows, especially given today’s high cattle prices and demand for herd growth. Melgar details laboratory evaluation, including microscopic assessment and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), along with verification of concentration using a nuclear counter. He explains dose differences between beef and dairy semen and the importance of progressive motility. Jensen then describes the industry’s adoption of sexed semen, the role of flow cytometry, and collaboration with major providers. Because of extensive quality control, bacterial testing, DNA verification, and packaging steps, turnaround time for sexed semen is typically about two weeks, compared to roughly a day for conventional semen. The discussion shifts to health, disease testing, and nutrition. For domestic use, tuberculosis and brucellosis testing are standard; for export, bulls and semen undergo extensive testing for leukosis, BVD, IBR, Campylobacter, trichomoniasis, and more. Vaccination strategy becomes more complex when export is anticipated, since some markets restrict vaccinated animals. Melgar emphasizes deworming plans, vitamin supplementation, and comprehensive mineral programs, highlighting key trace elements such as zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese, and treating bulls like athletes ahead of breeding or collection. Listener questions cover age at first collection, bull longevity in the breeding battery, mineral timing before turnout, and protocols for retesting bulls that initially fail a breeding soundness exam. Dr. Shynia Peterman closes by reinforcing proactive health, testing, nutrition, and early planning as essential to a successful breeding season.   For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

Veterinary Client Patient Relationship Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, the Owner of American Cattlemen Media, and Dr. Shynia Petermen, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and they chat with Blaze Mullhagen and Dan Schweitzer about the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship. Blaze describes his background as a fifth- or sixth-generation cattleman involved in farming, ranching, and building cattle handling equipment. His operation centers on a black cow-calf herd, using cattle both for production and to test handling systems. Dan shares that he is a fourth-generation farmer and cattleman, raising crops such as wheat, milo, corn, and alfalfa alongside a cow-calf operation, working with multiple generations of his family. Dr. Shynia will then dive deeper into the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship and how it is legally required in most states before a veterinarian can ethically and legally prescribe medications for any species, large or small. Key elements include the veterinarian assuming responsibility for animal health and treatment, the client agreeing to follow instructions, the veterinarian having sufficient knowledge of the animals through recent exams or farm visits and being available for follow-up care and record keeping. From the producers’ perspective, the VCPR is “everything” because it underpins having a solid, efficient herd health plan. They emphasize planning ahead with their veterinarian, staying informed about new products, and tailoring protocols to their specific herd history, disease challenges, and management style. They highlight the economic importance of precision and efficiency, given the high value of cattle and the cost of pharmaceuticals. Dr. Shynia notes that herd health programs differ between operations due to varying disease pressures and goals. She stresses the value of producers being prepared when the vet arrives: cattle caught and sorted, equipment functional, products on hand, and all team members aware of the plan. While a written herd health protocol is not a legal requirement for VCPR, it is presented as a powerful tool for elevating herd performance and ensuring consistent, efficient care. The episode concludes by reinforcing that a strong VCPR enhances animal welfare, operational efficiency, and the producer–veterinarian partnership. For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Central Life Science [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/]

Calving Setup for Lifelong Success Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome to Season 2 of Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media! Today, Gale and Dr. Peterman chat with Dr. Roger Osinchuk to discuss calving setup for lifelong success through sound cow and calf management.  They begin with cow management before breeding and calving, emphasizing pre-breeding vaccinations and scours vaccines. Dr. Osinchuk explains that reproductive diseases, including BVD and IBR, are largely preventable with correctly timed and administered vaccines, and that effective vaccination supports both pregnancy maintenance and colostral immunity for calves. He stresses reading labels, understanding the differences between killed and modified-live vaccines, and vaccinating four to six weeks prior to calving so protective antibodies are concentrated in colostrum. Colostrum is highlighted as the single most important factor in neonatal calf health. Calves are born without antibodies and must absorb immunity through colostrum within the first 24 hours, especially the first few hours of life. Failure of passive transfer predisposes calves to scours, pneumonia, joint and navel infections. Both veterinarians strongly advocate early intervention in dystocia, rapid colostrum supplementation when there is any doubt, and judicious use of high-quality commercial colostrum replacers. The discussion then moves to recognizing and managing calf scours, hypothermia, heat stress, and dehydration. Early fluid therapy, proper use of electrolytes, and appropriate antibiotics under veterinary guidance are key. They note that prevention through sound vaccination, hygiene, and timely intervention is far cheaper and more profitable than treatment. Later, they cover calf processing: early castration and dehorning to reduce stress and long-term performance losses, strategic respiratory and clostridial vaccinations, and management of pinkeye and other region-specific issues. They also address bottle calf management, stressing colostrum status, controlled milk feeding, rapid transition to high-quality starters, and meticulous sanitation. The episode concludes with a discussion of udder and teat quality, mastitis recognition, and culling criteria, all framed around the goal of producing healthy, efficient calves and ultimately higher-quality beef. For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Central Life Science [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/]

Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, hosts Dr. Shynia Peterman and Gale McKinney chat with Dr. Eric DeVuyst and Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, owners of DeVuyst Ranch about the Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle.  Cheryl and Eric have a background in production agriculture and focus on their work. Cheryl's specialization is agricultural finance, while Eric's is farm and ranch management. In addition to currently serving as Vicec-Chair of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, Cheryl is an advisor to the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and works to help develop young leaders in the beef industry. She was named the Oklahoma Cattlewoman of the Year in 2024. Eric has focused on research and Extension projects that impact the profitability of agricultural operations. Some of his research includes the economics of genotyping in cattle operations, management of cow-calf operations, and feedlot profitability. The conversation begins with an overview of the current cattle market, where tight supplies and strong consumer demand for beef are driving record prices. Weather-driven forage availability, especially the easing of drought in parts of the Great Plains versus persistent dryness in western regions, is shaping whether the industry moves into an expansion phase. Eric and Cheryl emphasize that, regardless of market cycles, the single most important number for cow-calf producers to track is cost of production. Producers cannot control cattle prices, but they can influence their costs through stocking rate, feed management, and disciplined record-keeping. Feed costs and land decisions emerge as critical drivers of profitability. Overstocking inflates feed bills and degrades grass, while chasing expensive land can create unsustainable financial pressure. Most U.S. cow-calf herds are small, often family-run operations with modest labor costs, but large operations may face tightening labor conditions. Instead of focusing solely on individual weaning weights, the guests recommend thinking in terms of pounds weaned per acre and favoring moderate-sized cows that allow higher stocking rates and better overall output. Common economic mistakes include chasing the wrong EPDs, inadvertently selecting large, high-maintenance cows, and failing to keep or analyze detailed production records. Vaccination and basic health protocols are framed as “cheap insurance” rather than direct profit centers—producers may not see the absence of disease as a measurable return, but the financial hit from outbreaks is immediate and severe. University tools such as preconditioning budgeting models can help evaluate value-added programs, and research shows that bundled practices like vaccination, castration, dehorning, defined calving seasons, and sound genetics substantially increase the odds of premiums and profitability. Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Elanco Animal Health [https://www.elanco.com/us] Central Life Science [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/]

Kalf Kozies with Georg Weitzel

Welcome back to the American Dairymen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he's the Host of the American Dairymen Podcast, and he sits down with Georg Weitzel, with Crystal Springs Ranch and Kalf Kozies. In this episode, Georg and Dustin will dive into the Kalf Kozies product and how it was designed to help calves out in the cold.  Georg explains that his family ranch calves out around 500 cows in January, February, and March, often in temperatures reaching 30 to 40 degrees below. Calves are usually born outside and then brought into the barn, but limited barn capacity means they can only stay inside for about 24 hours before returning outdoors. Even when calves were dried off, their ears frequently froze. Over the years, Georg and his family tried multiple existing products, but none performed the way they needed. That led Georg’s wife, Sarah, to design the Kalf Kozies. It is a custom-woven, water-resistant fleece hat that slips over the calf’s head, with dedicated ear pockets and eye holes. The material has stretch built into the right areas for a secure yet comfortable fit. Adjustable snaps on the neck band allow a single hat to fit a wide range of calf sizes, from small preemies to large beef calves. To solve the issue of losing visual identification when all the calves were wearing hats, they added a leather patch on the outside that can be marked with a reusable grease pencil. Georg emphasizes that comfort and functionality distinguish Kalf Kozies from competing products. The design allows the ears to remain in their natural forward position, so calves stay comfortable, active, and inclined to get up and nurse. The fabric wicks moisture away instead of trapping it, helping ears naturally toughen over several days of use. The ear pockets also help keep the hat in place, reducing the need for constant adjustment. Economically, preventing frozen ears can avoid substantial market discounts on calves, so a single saved ear can more than pay for the product. Georg notes that dairy producers use the hats to safely house multiple calves together and that calves wearing Kalf Kozies tend to be warmer, happier, and healthier throughout the winter. For previous episodes of the American Dairymen visit our website: https://americandairymen.com [https://americandairymen.com] American Dairymen Podcast is Sponsored By: Udder Tech, Inc. [https://www.uddertechinc.com/] Profile Animal Health [https://profileanimalhealth.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/]