UGA Beef Tips Podcast

Cattle Market Update: Current Feeder Prices, Herd Rebuild & Risk Management

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:49:20 -0400

Drs. Pedro Fontes and Dr. Pedro Carvalho chat with Dr. Will Secor for a concise market update on feeder and fed cattle, cull-cow markets, and indicators of a potential herd rebuild. They discuss heifer retention, beef-on-dairy impact on market fundamentals, and how rebuild might affect feeder cattle supply.

The episode also covers key market influences including wholesale beef demand, feed and fertilizer costs, El Niño risks for corn, and the potential impact of restored live cattle imports from Mexico. Practical marketing and risk-management suggestions for Georgia cow-calf producers are shared.

Georgia Elite Stockman Program - Preparing the next generation of beef industry leaders

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:01:42 -0400

In this episode, Jason Duggin sits down with Marrissa Blackwell and Maelee Dean to discuss the Georgia Elite Stockman program – an immersive beef cattle industry education and leadership opportunity designed to take youth in Georgia (ages 17-21) on a “hoof to plate” journey. Whether you are looking to discover a new career path or want to become a stronger advocate for the beef industry, this episode explains why the program is so impactful and how it prepares students for their future in agriculture.

Click this link (link: https://beef.caes.uga.edu/programs/educational/georgia-elite-stockman/) for full details and to register to be part of the next class of ‘Elite Stockman'.

Connect with us at:

Leveraging the gut microbiome to identify feed efficient cattle

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:48:07 -0400

UGA Beef Tips hosts Dr. Pedro Fontes and Dr. Michaela Dycus discussing research that links the rumen and hindgut microbiome to feed efficiency in Angus bulls. The episode explains feed-efficiency metrics (RFI, RADG, feed conversion), why the hindgut offers a practical sampling approach, and how microbial signatures were used to train a predictive model that classifies residual feed intake with roughly 80% accuracy.

Listeners learn how this microbiome-based tool could complement existing EPDs, its potential real-world application in bull selection, and future directions as the research moves toward earlier sampling, translation to steers, and possible commercialization.

Connect with us at:

Top Hand: Georgia's Youth Stockmanship & Stewardship Contest

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:54:25 -0400

In this episode, Jason Duggin interviews Dylan Davis and Lauren Jarrett about Georgia’s Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship contest — a youth cattle handling competition that teaches hands-on production skills, beef quality assurance, and team-based problem solving.

They explain how teams are formed and practiced, share success stories and community impacts, and discuss the contest’s growth into a national event and its role in preparing students for careers in the beef industry.

Connect with us at:

When Cows Die: Quick Steps to Diagnose and Prevent Cattle Losses

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:57:46 -0400

Welcome to the UGA Beef Tips podcast! In this episode, Jason Duggin, Pedro Carvalho, and Brad Heins discussed how to respond to cattle death loss and sickness—when to involve a veterinarian, the importance of necropsy and diagnostic testing, and how hay quality, nutrition and supplementation influence herd health.

Connect with us at:

Is too much backfat bad for bull fertility?

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 08:29:32 -0400

Welcome to the UGA Beef Tips podcast! In this episode, Dr. Pedro Fontes and Molly Smith, a PhD student from the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia, delve into some recent research on the relationship between subcutaneous back fat thickness in bulls and their semen quality.

Here is a link to the article discussed in this episode: https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/doi/10.1093/tas/txaf039/8106317.

Connect with us at:

Record-Breaking Feeder Calf Prices - Cattle Market Update

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:39:26 -0400

Welcome to the latest episode of the UGA Beef Tips podcast, where Drs. Pedro Fontes and Will Secor delve into the current state of the cattle market. Join us as Dr. Secor provides a comprehensive update on feeder calf prices, which have reached record highs this year. They also had a chance to discuss some hot topics like heifer retention, New World Screwworm, and retaliatory tariffs.

More resources can be found at:

Advancing the use of reproductive technology with the Beef Reproduction Task Force

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:40:15 -0400

Welcome to another insightful episode of the UGA Beef Tips podcast, hosted by Pedro Fontes from the University of Georgia. In this episode, Pedro is joined by Dr. Shelby Rosasco from the University of Wyoming to discuss the role of the Beef Reproduction Task Force.

The episode delves deep into the task force's mission, highlighting their efforts in advancing the use of reproductive technologies in beef cattle. The conversation covers the protocols developed by the task force to enhance fertility management in beef cattle, ensuring these have been rigorously tested across various geographical locations. Additionally, the episode explores the educational outreach efforts, including annual meetings, webinars, and a variety of available resources aimed at both local and global audiences.

More resources can be found at:

Overview of the UGA Bull Evaluation Program

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:33:59 -0400

Join Pedro Fontes and Jason Duggin in this episode as they delve into the Georgia Bull Evaluation Program. With over 60 years of history, the program has been instrumental in assisting seedstock and commercial producers in Georgia and the Southeast. This episode provides overview of how the program functions and how bull sales are conducted. Whether you are a seasoned cattle producer or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable insights into the strategic and educational role of the Georgia Bull Evaluation Program.

More resources can be found at:

Navigating Hay Shortages: Winter Nutritional Strategies for Beef Herds in the Southeast

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 13:45:07 -0400

Welcome to the UGA Beef Tips Podcast. In this episode Dr. Lawton Stewart explore strategies for addressing hay shortages and discusses winter supplementation. This episode goes over the effects of drought and hurricanes on current hay supplies, and provides practical advice on hay replacement and supplementation alternatives.

More resources can be found at:

Exploring Current Feeder Calf Prices

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 13:44:41 -0400

Welcome to the UGA Beef Tips podcast, brought to you by the University of Georgia Beef Team. In this episode, Dr. Pedro Fontes is joined by Dr. Will Secor to discuss feeder calf market dynamics throughout 2024. Dr. Secor shared his expertise on the key drivers affecting feeder calf prices, including changes in cattle inventory and consumer demand for beef. As we look ahead to 2025, the discussion covers projections for supply and demand, potential impacts of macroeconomic factors, and risk management strategies for producers.

More resources can be found at:

When should we be concerned about Vitamin A supplementation?

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 13:44:16 -0400

Welcome to the UGA Beef Tips Podcast, presented by the University of Georgia Beef Team. In this episode, Dr. Lawton Stewart explored the crucial role of Vitamin A in cattle nutrition. Dr. Stewart shares insights on the sources, requirements, and signs of Vitamin A deficiency in cattle, emphasizing the importance of supplementation during the winter months when fresh forage might not be available. Discover practical tips to ensure cattle receive adequate Vitamin A to maintain their health and productivity.

More resources can be found at: