Webinar to discuss calf liver energetics and health





The June Beef on Dairy Dialogue webinar series will continue at noon CDT on Tuesday, June 16, featuring Kendall Swanson, professor of beef production systems in the Department of Animal Sciences at North Dakota State University. Swanson will present on “Energetics of Changes in Liver Size and Health in Calves,â€� offering cattle producers an in-depth look at key physiological factors that affect calf performance and feed efficiency.

The webinar will examine the unique aspects of beef on dairy and dairy calves in finishing systems, with a focus on gastrointestinal tract development and the energetics of liver and gastrointestinal tissues as influenced by diet and physiological state.

Beef on dairy crossbreeding, utilizing beef sires on dairy cows, has revolutionized the fed cattle industry by producing high-quality, efficient and consistent carcasses that often receive premiums, according to Fred Hall, extension dairy specialist at Iowa State University.

“Beef on dairy calves now make up 20-25% of the U.S. beef supply, significantly decreasing the traditional stigma and discounts for dairy-derived beef. Health, and especially liver health, is a critical issue throughout the finishing process of these animals,â€� said Hall.

Swanson earned degrees in animal and range sciences at NDSU and his PhD in ruminant nutrition at the University of Kentucky. His research program focuses on improving feed utilization efficiency in finishing cattle and pregnant cows, as well as digestive physiology and energy metabolism in ruminants.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, online registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall at 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer at 320-203-6093; in South Dakota, Warren Rusche at 605-688-5452; or in Nebraska, Kortney Harpestad at 402-472-3571.

Registration hyperlink: https://go.iastate.edu/TULMX2