The Moos Room™

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. In this episode, we look at current Minnesota calf markets, the factors influencing beef sire selection and recent research exploring how early feeding programs affect the long-term performance of Angus-Holstein calves.
A University of Minnesota study compared conventional 20:20 milk replacer with a higher-energy 24:24 formulation. Calves receiving the 24:24 milk replacer had greater starter intake, faster weight and frame growth, and improved feed efficiency through eight weeks of age. The results suggest that supplying more nutrients early in life may encourage—not suppress—starter consumption.
We also discuss an Iowa State University study that followed beef-on-dairy steers from the nursery through harvest. Although pelleted diets produced faster growth shortly after weaning, cattle raised on forage-based total mixed rations performed better later in the feeding period. The low-starch TMR group finished with heavier body and carcass weights, more Prime carcasses and greater carcass value, while the high-starch TMR group experienced substantially more liver abscesses.
The research highlights why early growth should not be the only goal. Rumen health, feed costs, finishing performance and carcass quality all matter when developing profitable beef-on-dairy feeding programs.
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

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 1985–2024 found that Holstein cows producing roughly 65–70 pounds of milk averaged about 24 gallons of water per day under thermoneutral conditions. During heat stress, intake increased by approximately 10 liters, or 2–3 gallons, per cow per day. Each one-unit increase in the temperature-humidity index was associated with another 1.5 liters of water intake. Although heat-stressed cows produce less milk, they drink more because the additional water supports evaporative cooling and body-temperature regulation.
Data from the University of Minnesota’s dairy herd revealed a more complicated picture. smaXtec sensors showed that cows averaged around 23 gallons per day, but estimated intake declined during summer. Possible reasons include warmer drinking water, pasture water access, competition at waterers, and changes in drinking behavior. Cows generally drank only four or five times per day, consuming roughly 14–20 liters at each visit. Peak drinking also shifted from midafternoon in winter to around 7 p.m. in summer, often after milking.
These patterns highlight the importance of examining when cows drink—not just daily totals. Farms should ensure adequate water flow, tank capacity, access, and cool water during peak-use periods. Sensor readings are most valuable when compared with each cow’s normal behavior and interpreted alongside weather, milk production, rumination, health events, and management changes.
The central message is that water intake can be a useful indicator of heat stress, but unexpected changes should prompt investigation rather than an automatic conclusion. As extreme heat becomes more common, dairy water systems must be designed for peak demand rather than historical averages.
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

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 precision feeders, methane-monitoring equipment, and activity sensors, the research team compared Holsteins with ProCROSS and GrazeCross heifers.
The early findings show that methane production generally increased with feed intake. Smaller GrazeCross heifers consumed less feed and produced less methane and carbon dioxide, while ProCROSS heifers had the highest feed intake. However, methane produced per unit of dry matter intake did not differ significantly among the breed groups.
Brad also discusses how often heifers visited the feed bunk, how much time they spent eating, and what sensor data revealed about rumination and activity. These preliminary results highlight how body size, breed, and feeding behavior may influence heifer management and environmental efficiency.
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

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 time, respiration rates, shade use, and growth performance.
Brad discusses research from the University of Guelph, The Ohio State University, and Mississippi State showing that heat-stressed calves spend less time lying down, stand more often, breathe harder, and may gain less weight when shade is not provided. He also reviews a Texas A&M study using precision livestock technology to monitor drinking behavior, rumen temperature, and heat stress responses in robotic milking herds.
The big takeaway: heat stress in calves deserves more attention. Simple strategies like shade cloth, better ventilation, and more thoughtful housing design may help improve calf comfort, growth, and long-term performance.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

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 beef-on-dairy crossbred calves, including how feeding practices differ between retained dairy heifers, beef-on-dairy calves, and calves not kept on farm.
Brad also reviews a study comparing fixed-age weaning with starter-intake-based weaning in Holstein and Angus-Holstein calves, plus new work using ear tag sensors to track calf behavior, rumination, eating, and activity through 150 days of age. The episode wraps up with research from the University of Florida on colostrum yield, quality, and genetics, including how season, parity, calf sex, gestation length, and days dry can influence colostrum outcomes.
Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> themoosroom@umn.edu or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!
Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory