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PODCAST

Cow Talks

Marcelo Wallau and Chris Prevatt

Cow Talks with Dr. Marcelo Wallau, UF/IFAS Forage Extension Specialist. This podcast is tailored towards producers and extension agents in Florida. Please fill out our feedback survey at the following link: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAUtYtmfLTBDVC6 For more information and transcripts of the episodes, visit https://www.wallauforages.com/ under the Extension tab.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

00:31:12

Beef markets and meat science with Dr. Dean Pringle

Cow Talks ·

2026/10/02

In this episode of Cow Talks, host Marcelo Wallau sits down with Dr. Dean Pringle, the new chair of the University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences, to talk about his plans for the department, including a stakeholder-driven strategic plan. Dr. Pringle introduces the Animal Products Excellence Center (APEX), a revitalized meat science hub meant to connect genetics, nutrition, and management on the ranch to the Florida consumer.

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00:29:54

El Niño is here: What's ahead for Florida farms

Cow Talks ·

2026/09/25

In this episode of Cow Talks, host Marcelo Wallau is joined by Dr. Clyde Fraisse, professor of agrometeorology in UF's Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, to break down the strong El Niño forming in the Pacific and what it could mean for Florida this fall, winter, and spring. They discuss the higher odds of above-average rainfall along with why this may be a good year to invest in cool-season forages.

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00:27:33

Challenges of corn silage and sorghum in the...

Cow Talks ·

2026/09/18

Description:Marcelo Wallau talks with a panel of industry agronomists and nutritionists about growing corn and sorghum silage in the Southeast. They cover this season's challenges, such as late frosts, dry weather, nematodes, and the tight timelines dairies work underm and what those mean for fiber digestibility. The group also discusses where sorghum fits in the rotation and why hybrid selection matters less than solid management and a good crew.

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00:27:55

Choosing cool-season forage varieties: Inside the...

Cow Talks ·

2026/09/11

In this Cow Bites technical segment, host Marcelo Wallau sits down with Maria Elena Mailhos, variety trial coordinator for the UF/IFAS Forage Team, to walk through the results of the 2025–26 cool-season forage variety trials.Trial results, reports, and the three-year regional recommendations (developed with the University of Georgia and Auburn University) are available on the UF/IFAS Forage Team website: https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/forage/official-variety-trials/Questions? Reach the team at

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00:32:34

How crop insurance can help farmers stay in business

Cow Talks ·

2026/09/04

Crop insurance is an increasingly important tool for managing the production and price risks facing farmers and ranchers. In this episode, Dr. Hunter Biram of the University of Arkansas breaks down how federal crop insurance works and how it complements Farm Service Agency programs. The episode dives into discussion about what producers should know about coverage options. The conversation also explores Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance, livestock risk protection, basis risk, and how

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00:18:35

Navigating uncertainty and new regulations in the...

Cow Talks ·

2026/08/28

Hannah Baker speaks with Dr. Marcelo Wallau about the latest pressures facing the U.S. beef cattle industry, from the announcement of increased beef imports to the reopening of the Mexican border and recent beef packing plant closures. They discuss how these developments are affecting cattle prices and decisions about herd rebuilding. Given the market turmoil, producers are left navigating a great deal of uncertainty, which this episode aims to clarify.

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00:24:53

Pasture Mealybug Update: What we know so far

Cow Talks ·

2026/08/21

Pasture mealybug continues to spread across Florida, with new detections raising questions about how the pest is moving and why damage is appearing in some pastures but not others. In this update, Dr. Brent Sellers and Dr. Isaac Esquivel discuss the latest field observations, early detection, insecticide use, and strategies for managing affected pastures during the stockpiling season. They also share emerging findings and highlight the many questions researchers are still working to answer.

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00:35:48

Navigating Forages and Cows with Dr. Mary Beth Hall

Cow Talks ·

2026/08/14

In this presentation, Dr. Mary Beth Hall explores how Florida's unique growing conditions shape forage quality and availability. She discusses the importance of balancing digestibility and effective fiber to support rumen function, while considering how forage type, maturity, processing and environmental conditions affect animal performance. The presentation also examines practical considerations for both dairy and beef cattle producers.

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00:22:45

Our Research in Perspective: Optimizing Fall Forage...

Cow Talks ·

2026/08/07

How can producers reduce winter feeding costs while maintaining forage quality? In this episode of Our Research in Perspective, UF graduate researcher Olivia Centanni shares findings from her master's research on fall forage stockpiling, rumen digestibility, and silage production in warm-season grasses. Learn which forage species perform best and why fertilization timing matters. Olivia also draws on her data findings, and how these management decisions can improve both cattle nutrition and

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00:40:13

Special Feature with Grazing the Facts: Building...

Cow Talks ·

2026/07/31

In this special joint episode with Grazing the Facts, host Dale Sandlin sits down with Marcelo for an in-depth conversation about the future of forage management in Florida.Marcelo shares his journey from growing up on a cattle ranch in southern Brazil to leading statewide forage extension and research programs in Florida. The discussion explores practical strategies for improving pasture productivity while also increasing forage diversity, and building resilient grazing systems in the face changing

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01:08:21

Pasture Mealybug Webinar: Science and Management

Cow Talks ·

2026/07/24

On July 17th 2026, UF IFAS Forages joined FDACS and the Everglades Research and Education center for an informative webinar on pasture mealybug science, management, and what we know so far.For more information, please visit: https://go.ufl.edu/pasturemealybugs

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00:25:17

Ranching with Screwworms: Our Experience Managing...

Cow Talks ·

2026/07/17

Recorded live at the 2026 Florida Cattlemen's Convention in Marco Island, this special episode features Dr. Marcelo Wallau's presentation on his firsthand experience growing up with New World screwworm in southern Brazil. He shares practical lessons on proactive management that can help Florida producers. He also provides an update on the recently detected pasture mealybug, discussing what researchers know so far about its spread and the ongoing efforts to develop effective management

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00:20:36

New World Screwworm Nears Southeast Cattle Country

Cow Talks ·

2026/07/10

As New World screwworm continues spreading north through Mexico toward the U.S., entomologist Dr. Andrew Short joins Cow Talks during the Florida Cattlemen's Convention in Marco Island, FL, with Dale Sandlin and Marcelo Wallau to explain what the latest detections mean for Florida and the Southeast. The conversation covers how the pest spreads and why increased surveillance and rapid reporting are critical to protecting livestock. Dr. Short also discusses ongoing coordination among state and

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00:27:23

Rethinking Forage Systems with Dr. Mary Beth Hall-...

Cow Talks ·

2026/07/03

In Part 2 of Rethinking Forage Systems, Dr. Mary Beth Hall joins Marcelo Wallau for a deeper discussion on balancing starch, sugars, protein, and fiber to support healthier cows and more resilient dairy systems. The conversation explores practical nutrition strategies for managing heat stress and making better use of locally available feed resources. They also take a broader look at the future of animal agriculture, discussing the essential role ruminants play in feeding a growing world.

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00:25:20

Rethinking Forage Systems with Dr. Mary Beth Hall —...

Cow Talks ·

2026/06/26

Recorded just after the Corn Silage and Forage Field Day in late May, this episode features Dr. Mary Beth Hall, consultant with The Cows Are Always Right and former USDA/UF researcher, joining hosts Marcelo Wallau and Diwakar Vyas for a deep dive into dairy forage systems. Dr. Hall challenges the idea of a single "best" forage, instead encouraging producers to ask what role each forage should play — digestibility versus physical effectiveness — within the diet. The conversation covers

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00:28:23

Tracking Pasture Mealybug in Florida: Biology, spread...

Cow Talks ·

2026/06/19

Dr. Erin Powell, scale insect taxonomist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Plant Industry (FDACS DPI), joins Cow Talks to discuss the pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei), a new invasive pest now confirmed in 14 Florida counties and expanding. Erin breaks down the insect's biology, life cycle, and likely origins, along with how it's spreading through shared equipment, sprigging practices, and roadside mowing. The episode also covers what

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00:31:34

Managing Bermudagrass Stem Maggots

Cow Talks ·

2026/06/12

Bermuda grass stem maggot can silently strip between 30-50% of your forage yield during peak growing season. Dr. Lisa Baxter, UGA forage specialist, breaks down how to stay ahead of this pest through variety selection, cultural practices, and timely pyrethroid applications — plus where fall armyworm management overlaps. For more information, check out UGA's EDIS equivalent: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/B1484/managing-bermudagrass-stem-maggots/Updated recommendations:

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00:24:40

Pasture Mealybug Threat Emerges in Florida

Cow Talks ·

2026/06/05

The invasive pasture mealybug has made its way to Florida. Isaac Esquivel and Texas integrated pest management specialist Stephen Biles discuss the recent detection of pasture mealybug in Florida and what it means for forage producers across the Southeast.Drawing on Texas' experience with the invasive pest, Biles explains how pasture mealybug spreads and the warning signs producers should watch for, including red or yellowing leaves and rapid pasture decline. The conversation highlights the

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00:30:25

Building Drought-Resilient Forage Systems using...

Cow Talks ·

2026/05/29

Many forage systems are unprepared for climate volatility, yet smart diversification and management can turn these challenges into opportunities. In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Liliane Silva from Clemson University reveals how integrating warm-season annuals like pearl millet, sorghum, and legumes can fill forage gaps during droughts and extreme weather events. With recent setbacks caused by drought, hurricanes, and unseasonal cold, these insights on resilient forage mixes and strategic planning

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00:23:31

Why Reporting to the FSA Could Save Your Farm — Even...

Cow Talks ·

2026/05/22

If you're feeling the squeeze from drought, freeze, or hurricane season, this episode is your essential guide to unlocking assistance tips. Discover how the USDA Farm Services Agency assesses and declares disasters, and why timely reporting from producers is crucial for accessing relief programs before the crisis hits. Marcelo Wallau sits down with Marcinda Kessler, executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to break down the complex process of disaster declarations — from the

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