Environment challenges pose significant concerns to beef cattle producers, since weather conditions and heat stress greatly influence the well-being and productivity of these animals. Therefore, producers must know how to manage these factors to maintain the health and performance of their herds by creating optimal conditions for their cattle in a changing climate. In this episode, Dr. Warren Rusche discusses beef cattle management and production risk management, especially related to weather conditions. He also shares his knowledge on integrated crops and livestock management, as well as his experience mentoring and inspiring graduate students. 

“Producers are very busy and labor is hard to find. So anything we can do to help them simplify management is generally well received and helps their business be more effective.” - Dr. Warren Rusche

What you’ll learn:

• Highlight (00:00)
• Introduction (01:02)
• The guest’s background (02:08)
• Mentoring graduate students (05:07)
• Environmental challenges for beef cattle (10:04)
• Producers' thoughts on weather conditions and heat stress (13:05)
• Cattle coloration and its relation to heat stress (17:23)
• Dealing the weather conditions with tools and knowledge (20:35)
• The blizzard of 2013 (25:37)
• Bedding conditions (30:21)
• Current research on silage and forage (32:33)
• Soybean meal as a substitute for distillers (38:36)
• The three final questions (45:35)

Meet the guest: Dr. Warren Rusche

Experience

• Current: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at South Dakota State University
• Past: Beef Feedlot Management Associate at South Dakota State University

Background

• Ph.D., Animal Sciences (South Dakota State University)
• M.Sc., Animal Science (Kansas State University)
• B.Sc., Animal Science (South Dakota State University)

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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