Podcasts
Check back for the official launch date of the American Dairymen Podcast. We are excited to roll out the podcast that will be covering just about every topic that concerns the American dairy farmer.
Previous Episodes
Genetic Solutions to Assist with BRD
Genetic Solutions to Assist with BRD
BRD—is one, if not the most costly, health issue in the cattle industry today. Our guests today are Ross Havens with Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa, and John Genho with Eldon Farms in Woodville, Virginia. 
This was an extremely interesting discussion with Ross and Jon regarding the Nichols Bull Program, called Shield, which is a genetic predictor for bulls that carry resistance to BRD. Nichols Farms has a Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) genetic prediction. The bulls will be represented with the Nichols Health Shield logo and are of the top 30% of the Nichols Genetic Evaluation for resistance to BRD. BRD costs our industry $900 million annually in economic losses from death, reduced feed efficiency, and treatment cost. Nichols Farms is working and researching to put some of these dollars back into our customers’ pockets. The Health Shield is the probability (in %) of a calf not being treated for respiratory disease post weaning.
Nichols Farms is a family-owned business that has been providing superior beef genetics for generations. Our focus on breeding top-quality bulls started many years ago and has been passed down from one generation to the next. We take great pride in our work and are committed to raising the best bulls possible. Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do. We work hard every day to improve our genetics and provide our customers with the best possible service. Contact us today to learn more about our history and how we can help improve your herd.
The acquisition of Livestock Genetic Services (LGS) enhances Neogen’s in-house genetic evaluation capabilities, and complements the company’s unparalleled global network of animal genomics laboratories. LGS has been a long-time strategic partner of Neogen’s genomics business.
John Genho formerly owned Livestock Genetic Services, which was acquired by Neogen. Information regarding that acquisition follows. “One value of Neogen’s genomic services is our ability to translate genomic information into timely, accurate animal trait information for cattle producers,” said Dr. Stewart Bauck, Neogen’s vice president of agrigenomics. “Adding Livestock Genetic Services, and its owner John Genho, will help Neogen accelerate the adoption of genomics world-wide by helping customers easily and quickly utilize genomic information in their commercial operations. This new capability will position Neogen as the only global agrigenomics business with a full end-to-end solution.”
“After years of collaboration with Neogen, I am very pleased to be part of the much larger, very capable team of genomic professionals,” said Genho. “Our business has grown to the point that becoming part of a world-leading provider of animal genomic services will provide my customers with the best possible services and support.”
Genetic Solutions to Assist with BRD
Cattlemen & Veterinarians, A Partnership in Bovine Health
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FerAppease & Weaning Practices
We had a great interview with Dr. Rodrigo Carvalho Bicalho today discussing FerAppease and Weaning. Dr. Bicalho is a highly gifted speaker who presents information in a clear and easily understandable manner. 
Our guest today is Dr. Rodrigo Carvalho Bicalho, DVM, PhD, an accomplished veterinarian, scientist, and entrepreneur specializing in dairy production medicine and biotechnology. As the President and Chairman of Fera Diagnostics and Biologicals Corp., Dr. Bicalho leads innovations in animal health, focusing on diagnostic solutions and therapeutic products that enhance livestock productivity and welfare globally.
Dr. Bicalho earned his DVM from the Federal University of Goiás in Brazil and completed his residency and PhD at Cornell University, where he specialized in comparative biomedical sciences with a concentration in epidemiology and animal science. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to veterinary research, securing multiple patents for groundbreaking technologies, including vaccines and diagnostic methods that address essential challenges in livestock health. Dr. Bicalho has a prolific research portfolio of over 130 peer-reviewed publications.”
Our conversation with Dr. Bicalho focuses on FerAppease and its effectiveness during the weaning process. FerAppease® can and should be used every time animals are exposed to management and physiological stressors. Stressful management strategies include weaning, dehorning, castration, branding, transportation, commingling, and vaccination—stressful physiological events such as parturition, interruption of lactation (dry-off), and breeding. Its application has dramatically improved the weaning periods of many producers.
Did you know that stress shifts your cattle’s metabolism into survival mode? Stress may lead to decreasing weight gain and feed conversion and worsening health outcomes. Stress is a major obstacle keeping the cattle industry from becoming a more profitable endeavor. You can overcome stress with FerAppease. The active ingredient of FerAppease is a synthetic analogue
of the Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS). mBAS is a naturally occurring substance that is secreted by the skin of the mammary gland of lactating animals, reducing stress in all cattle treated.
Following the segment with Dr. Bicalho, Dr. Shynia answers a broad array of questions from our listeners. She provides you with advice and even challenges you to become better at developing a strong weaning program.
Don’t miss this one!
Cattlemen & Veterinarians, A Partnership in Bovine Health
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Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by:
NEMO Feed LLC. With Alvin Burkholder
Welcome back to the American Dairymen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, He’s the Director of Business Development and he chats with Alvin Burkholder, the CEO of NEMO Feed LLC. They will lead the interview off with Alvin sharing his personal and professional background, highlighting his early experiences on the family farm and the entrepreneurial journey that led to the founding of NEMO Feed in 2000. Over the past 25 years, NEMO Feed has grown from a small family operation into a full-service feed manufacturing facility in Bering, Missouri, now employing around 30 people and producing approximately 500 tons of feed per day. 
Alvin explains that NEMO Feed provides a wide range of nutrition and feed services throughout the Midwest, offering both conventional and non-GMO feeds for multiple species, including cattle, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and horses. The company emphasizes high-quality production standards, strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination, and holds certifications for HACCP, organic, and non-GMO feeds. NEMO Feed works closely with independent nutrition consultants to ensure unbiased, farm-specific recommendations, and delivers feed through a broad dealer network across several states.
The conversation delves into NEMO Feed’s specialized programs, such as the Degree Dairy Feed Program, which offers customizable nutrition solutions for dairy operations, from calves to lactating cows, with options for on-farm mixing and organic or non-GMO formulations. On the beef side, NEMO Feed has developed a premium dairy beef line, particularly for Holstein calves, focusing on efficient feed conversion and serving a diverse customer base, including many Amish farms.
A key highlight is the Ranger Minerals Program, a comprehensive line of free-choice minerals for cattle, developed through extensive analysis of Midwest forage samples to ensure precise trace mineral supplementation. The episode concludes with appreciation for NEMO Feed’s commitment to quality and service, and a look ahead to future expansion plans to meet growing demand.
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Hardware Disease in Livestock – Cattlemen and Veterinarians
Hardware disease in livestock is a traumatic puncture of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the spread of infection caused by the ingestion of a sharp, hard object, usually a piece of hardware (hence the name). These pieces of metal settle in the reticulum and can irritate or penetrate the lining of the stomach. It is most common in dairy cattle but is occasionally seen in beef cattle. It is very rarely reported in any other ruminants. It can be challenging to diagnose, but it can be prevented by administering a magnet orally around the time the animal reaches one year of age. Depending on where the infection spreads, the medical names for it include bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis and bovine traumatic reticulopericarditis. 
Join Dr. Shynia Peterman and Gale McKinney as they discuss hardware disease and best grazing practices with Dr. Grant Dewell, offering valuable tips and practical information for producers. Care in pasture management is a critical component of your operations plan. Make sure to listen to this episode.
Dr. Grant Dewell received a DVM, a Master’s in Agricultural Economics, and a PhD in Epidemiology from Colorado State University. He has practiced in central South Dakota, served as a Clinical Instructor at the Great Plains Veterinary Education Center, and has been the Beef Cattle Extension Veterinarian at Iowa State University since 2008. Dr. Dewell’s research interests are health management of cattle, animal welfare, and economic considerations for beef production operations.
Come back to American Cattlemen Podcasts for all your industry news. No one is in touch with the industry more than we are! Our information is fresh, not staged, and most of it comes from your fellow producers. Please share our podcast link with your friends and neighbors.
Cattlemen & Veterinarians, A Partnership in Bovine Health
For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites:
Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by:
