The Moos Room™

• Episode 291 - Decoding A2 Milk: Genetics, Health, and Herd Management Strategies - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

  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, highlighting how A2 genetics have progressed in his herd and across the industry. He explains the science behind A2 milk, distinguishing it clearly from lactose intolerance, and discusses its potential health benefits, including improved digestive comfort. Brad reviews recent genetic studies, emphasizing how consumer demand is steadily increasing for A2 milk, driven by perceived health advantages.Listeners will learn about the inheritance patterns of A2 genetics, costs associated with testing animals, and realistic timelines for transitioning to a fully A2 herd—ranging from 10 to 20 generations depending on breeding and culling strategies. Brad provides detailed breed-specific insights, identifying Guernsey and Normandy breeds as standout performers with 100% A2 genetics. He also reviews current availability of A2 bulls in various dairy breeds globally.Wrapping up, Brad shares results from a collaborative study indicating higher genetic merit and productive life traits among A2 animals, though he notes that improved survival to second lactation is primarily due to management choices like culling. Overall, Brad emphasizes the importance of testing your herd, making informed breeding decisions, and understanding that fully transitioning to an A2 herd requires patience and deliberate genetic management.UMN Extension A2 Milk and A2 GeneticsUC Davis A2 GenotypingCentralStar Cooperative A2 TestingQuestions, 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 

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• Episode 290 - Feeding the Future: Lessons from Our Auto Feeder Journey - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

  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? -> [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 

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• Episode 289 - Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: What It Means for Farms - UMN Extension's Moos Room

  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 MonitoringCattleyticsQuestions, 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 

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• Episode 288 - Dairy Culling Deep Dive: The Hidden Value of Your Cows - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

  Dairy Cow Culling Research InsightsIn 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 CowsReasons for disposal and cull cow value of Holstein cows compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red crossbred cowsQuestions, 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 

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• Episode 287 - Optimizing Dairy Cow Nutrition and Gut Health with Kirby Krogstad - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

   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 ProfessorQuestions, 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 

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