In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau sits down with Tom Bryant to unpack the realities of tax planning for cattle producers. Moving beyond the April 15 deadline, they explore why effective tax strategy must happen year-round and how it can determine whether an operation is profitable or not. The conversation dives into key issues like hobby loss rules, small herd economics, and the importance of treating farming as a true business. They also break down recent policy changes and what they mean for producers today. Whether you run 10 cows or 1,000, this episode offers practical insights on planning, recordkeeping, and building a financially resilient operation.

In our episode of Cow Bites, host Dr. Marcelo Wallau unlocks the secrets to maximizing your pasture productivity this spring without risking long-term damage. If you're eager to turn your cows out now but unsure if your forage is ready, this episode reveals the critical management steps to take to ensure lush, sustainable pastures all year round in the face of fluctuating weather.

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In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau speaks with University of Florida veterinary extension specialist João Bittar about two research projects affecting beef cattle producers across Florida. This conversation is part of our Research in Perspective series. The discussion explores the widespread presence of liver flukes in Florida herds and research testing new strategies to manage them. The episode also examines vaccination timing in pregnant heifers and how it may improve calf health through stronger colostrum.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau is joined by soil scientist Cheryl Mackowiak and Florida State Climatologist David Zierden to unpack one of Florida’s most challenging seasons in decades. From extreme drought and disrupted hurricane patterns to prolonged Arctic outbreaks linked to La Niña, the discussion explores how unusual weather patterns affected forages, fertility management, grazing decisions, and wildfire risk this winter in Florida.

Recorded live at the 41st annual Northwest Florida Beef Cattle Conference and Trade Show, this episode of Cow Talks features Marcelo Wallau of the University of Florida breaking down the fundamentals of effective pasture management in today’s volatile production landscape. With strong cattle prices but rising input costs and persistent drought, producers face a critical question: how can they remain profitable without degrading their forage base? Wallau outlines how overgrazing, skipped fertilization, and lack of system diversity quietly erode productivity and increase long-term costs.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau interviews Dr. Cecilia Rocha, a Research Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist in Livestock Systems, about improving reproductive efficiency in beef cattle. They discuss pregnancy loss, estrus detection innovations, and how accelerometers can support herd management. Dr. Rocha also highlights the value of pregnancy checks and herd organization for producer profitability, along with emerging research and technologies for the future.

In this episode of Cow Talks, Marcelo Wallau discusses the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) with expert Dr. Sally Donata, and extension agents Jennifer Bearden and Amanda Masholie. They explore how EHV is transmitted and the importance of biosecurity measures in equestrian events. The conversation also covers post-event protocols for horse owners to reduce the risk of exposure on farms. The experts emphasize the significance of industry response and the need for ongoing vigilance in maintaining equine health. We also discussed the emerging threat of New World Screwworm, and explained the recent news of screwworm in an imported animal, which is not related to the large issue of the expansion of the flies in Mexico, close to the Texas border.

In this episode of Cow Talks, University of Florida specialists Dr. Marcelo Wallau and Dr. Mario Binelli break down why understanding heifer maturity is one of the most powerful levers for improving reproductive and economic efficiency in Southeastern beef systems. Drawing on UF’s statewide “Know Your Heifer” project and data from over 5,000 heifers, the conversation explores how tools like reproductive tract scoring and progesterone-based protocols can dramatically improve pregnancy rates. The episode connects physiology and management offering producers practical insight into how earlier cycling and targeted reproductive technologies can lead to more resilient production systems in Florida’s environment. For more on Know Your Heifer, check out the following link: https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/kyh/