The Beef Podcast Show - #26 - Weathering the storm: Managing Beef Cattle in a Changing Climate

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. 

What you’ll learn:

• Mentoring graduate students 
• Environmental challenges for beef cattle 
• Producers' thoughts on weather conditions and heat stress 
• Cattle coloration and its relation to heat stress 
• Dealing with the weather conditions with tools and knowledge 
• The blizzard of 2013 
• Bedding conditions 
• Current research on silage and forage 
• Soybean meal as a substitute for distillers

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)

Hobby: my wife and I love to travel (one of my goals is to carve out more time to do that).

Favorite book, movie or TV series: Good to Great, by Jim Collins

Favorite quote: "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." – Mario Andretti

A tip for success: Actively seek out as many smart people to learn from as you can. Also, there is no substitute for kindness.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn