Livestock Wala'au

Hosted by Melelani Oshiro & Shannon Sand

Education

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Episodes

104

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Livestock Wala’au podcast. Brought to you by the Livestock Extension Group of the University of Hawaii Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the Center for Ag Profitability of the University of Nebraska. A podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to livestock stakeholders in Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. Hosted by Extension Professionals Melelani Oshiro of UH Manoa CTAHR & Shannon Sand of the University of Nebraska.

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60 recent

May 4, 2026Episode 87 min

LWP Mini S6 Ep 1: Disaster Help For Livestock Producers

We share rapid updates and practical resources for livestock producers navigating disaster recovery after floods and fires, including where to watch key webinars and what help may be available. We also flag upcoming meetings and learning opportunities, plus a preview of a future guest focused on small ruminant production and reproduction.• Livestock Health After the Flood webinar on the UH Livestock Extension YouTube channel plus the PDF link• Animal health concerns to watch for after flooding and where to find recovery resources• Hawaii Sheep And Goat Association annual meeting details and topics like grazing management and dairy health• Hawaii range camp in Maui for students interested in ranching and land stewardship• Emergency cattle feed fund and USDA disaster assistance options including LIP, ELAP, drought assistance, and forage support• After-fire recovery webinar recordings from FSA and NRCS plus after-fire tax considerations at cap.unl.edu• Reminder to contact local FSA and USDA agents quickly due to limited funds and tight deadlines• Upcoming guest Randy Sayner on small ruminant production and reproductionMake sure to follow us on our social media pages, the Livestock Val Ow and the Livestock Extension Group if you haven't already. Be sure to visit the UHCTAR extension website and our YouTube channel listed in the show notes. For additional information about this or any other topics or comments, send us an email at valau at hawaii.edu. Before we go, show some love for your favorite podcast by leaving us a review wherever you listen to this, and then stay tuned for the next episode.Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

April 1, 2026Episode 711 min

LWP Mini S5 Ep 7: Monthly Livestock Updates from Hawaii to Nebraska

We share fast, practical updates for livestock producers across Hawaii and Nebraska, from hands-on calving and grazing education to new tools for hiring, land decisions, and disaster recovery. We also point to flood and fire support resources and outline ways to stay connected with Extension as conditions change.• Free calving and grazing management workshop at Mealani Research Station with hands-on learning and calving season decision points • Women in Ranching and Education activities and BQA certification opportunity at Parker Ranch • Flood recovery livestock health webinar• Survey for documenting livestock impacts and veterinary care needs to support recovery • Hawaii Department of Agriculture Emergency Farmer Relief Grant link and other reporting options for agricultural losses • University of Hawaii associate dean of extension candidate stakeholder meetings with Zoom options • Nebraska Agricultural Labor Guidebook for ag hiring laws, templates, and compliance basics • Nebraska fire meeting dates with Extension, USDA partners, counseling resources, and rural response hotline • Upcoming webinars on land values, rental rates, stocking rates, and land management updates • Next episode Glennis McClure on the ABC Livestock CalculatorEpisode Resources & Links: Calving and Grazing Management WorkshopANCW (American National CattleWomen) Region VI Meeting plus a WIRED (Women In Ranching Education & Development) Hawaii EventLivestock Health After The Flood-WebinarLivestock Impact & Veterinary Care Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VTRNCRWAgricultural Stewardship Foundation Impact Survey: https://report.agstewardshiphawaii.org/Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Emergency Farmer Relief Grant: https://dab.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr26-04-emergency-farmer-relief/Associate Dean of Extension UHM CTAHR Stakeholder Meeting ScheduleAg Labor Guide Book: https://cap.unl.edu/labor/ Stocking rates 101 https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YFn9cppUQrCFNISOhw6i7w ABC office hours: https://events.unl.edu/CAP/2026/04/20/198754/ Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

March 16, 2026Episode 732 min

S5 Ep 6: Using Limu Kohu To Improve Feed Efficiency On Pastured Livestock

We catch up with Alexia Akbe from Symbrosia on how limu kohu seaweed is moving from promising methane research into real ranch use across Hawaii and the mainland. We talk performance-first economics, product forms for pasture and feedlots, and what new trials could prove next for animal health and efficiency.• Alexia’s background in environmental chemistry and greenhouse gases• Why limu kohu stands out for enteric methane reduction• Commercial pasture trials showing improved rate of gain and feed efficiency• Pricing the product around measurable ROI instead of carbon credits• FDA pathway, current use across beef cattle ranches and sheep producers• How Symbrosia farms, dries and processes seaweed in Kona• Mineral replacement potential, trace elements and bioavailability in a whole-plant matrix• Oil extract format for feedlots and why rations may need rebalancing• Species-specific needs including copper sensitivity in sheep• Upcoming research focus areas including cow-calf, weaning stress, parasite reduction and pinkeyeThanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

March 1, 2026Episode 67 min

LWP Mini S5 Ep 6: Workshops, Certifications, And Smarter Ag Leases Across Hawaii And Nebraska

We share Hawaii and Nebraska program updates that help producers tighten animal care, processing know-how, soil health, and lease strategy. • ANCW regional and WIRED meetings in Hawaii with BQA certification• Two-day on-farm processing workshops: regulations then hands-on practice• Dates and venues on Oahu and Maui with required registration• Guest lecturer Dr Lida Garcia on meat science and safety• Nebraska transition planning workshop in Curtis• Manure as fertilizer: soil health and yield benefits• Virtual landlord–tenant meeting on rates, values, and lease clausesNext month, join us as we talk with Randy Saner from the University of Nebraska about reproduction and biosecurity for small ruminant herds. Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

February 24, 2026Episode 625 min

S5 Ep 6: Protecting Hawaii’s Farms From High-Risk Invaders

Jamie Miller from OISC explains why early detection beats eradication and how biocontrol could change the game. We learn about practical ways to protect Hawaii’s ranches and farms from devilweed on Oahu and the two-line spittlebug on Hawaiʻi Island, with clear ID tips, reporting tools, and prevention steps. Visit OISC website at https://www.oahuisc.org/ for more information!• Defining invasive species and why funding targets early-stage threats• Devilweed ID features and fire risk profile• Toxicity to livestock and impacts on pasture recovery• Oahu hotspots, trail work, and volunteer efforts• Management shift from eradication to mitigation• Seasonal timing for removal and safe disposal• Decontamination for gear, trailers, boots, and feed• Reporting routes via 643pest.org and OISC resources• Two-line spittlebug signs, grass losses, and replacement by weeds• Apps, documentaries, and mapping to support responseThanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

February 1, 2026Episode 54 min

LWP Mini S5 Ep 5: Women In Ranching, Grazing Workshops, And Western Ag Events

Quick updates on Hawaii and Western ag: WIRED and BQA in Hawaii, grazing for fuel reduction, Nebraska workshops on leases, budgeting, and Women in Ag, plus a preview of an invasive species guest. We share dates, links, and how each event can boost animal care, pasture health, and ranch profits.• WIRED and ANCW Region VI meeting in Hawaii - April 27-29, 2026• Grazing workshop on fuel load reduction with Kailapa Community Association - February 20 & 21, 2026 *more details coming soon*• Nebraska land lease workshops and budgeting sessions in February• Women in Ag Conference in Kearney • Upcoming Guest -Jaime Miller from OISC Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

January 21, 2026Episode 423 min

S5 Ep 04: Silvopasture In Hawaii For Resilient Herds

Shade that actually pays for itself—this conversation digs into how silvopasture blends trees, forage, and livestock to reduce heat stress, build healthier soils, and diversify income in grazing systems. With Oahu Livestock Extension Agent Yunuen Bustamante, we unpack the nuts and bolts: how to pick the right tree for your goal, how wide to space rows to protect forage, and what it takes to guard young plantings from goats, cattle, and poultry without breaking the budget.We start with the why: in a warming climate, shade and windbreaks create a cooler microclimate that keeps animals grazing and lowers stress. Then we move to the how: selecting native species like milo, ulu, kukui, and hala for resilience, and layering in productive options such as citrus, cacao, or banana for extra revenue. Yunuen also share about upcoming workshops, field days, and hands-on support so you can see silvopasture in action and tailor it to your site, herd, and rainfall. Ready to turn heat into an advantage and make your pasture do more? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow producer, and leave a review to help more graziers find these tools.Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

January 14, 2026Episode 44 min

LWP Mini S5 Ep 4: January Updates For Livestock Producers

A fast January briefing on what matters now: PQA training in Honolulu, Nebraska land lease workshops, a weaned calf risk webinar, and a preview of silvopasture with our Oahu livestock agent. We share links, dates, and how each step builds animal care, market trust, and resilience.• PQA training on Oahu with date, time, and location• why pork quality assurance strengthens consumer trust and market access• Nebraska land lease workshops and what good clauses look like• weaned calf risk protection webinar and core tools to manage price risk• preview of silvopasture benefits and design considerations• links, email, and social accounts for updates• request for listener topic ideas and feedbackResource Links: Pork Quality Assurance Training - January 23, 2026 - Oahu Island Center for Ag Profitability - University of Nebraska Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

December 16, 2025Episode 334 min

S5 Ep 03: Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC): Risks, Responses, And Resources

We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread.• Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education• Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle• Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID• Prioritizing threats with Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment• Widespread pests education via Hawaii Ant Lab methods• Two line spittle bug impacts on pasture and spread• Queensland longhorn beetle damage to kukui, cacao, ulu, citrus• Nematode trunk injections as a targeted control• Devil weed toxicity to cattle and pasture takeover risk• Outreach in communities and training for frontline workers• Choosing non-invasive plants with PlantPono.org• How to report sightings with clear photos and samplesLinks: https://www.biisc.org/Thanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

December 2, 2025Episode 38 min

LWP Mini S5 Ep 3: Monthly Livestock Updates From Hawaii & Nebraska

A quick tour of the month’s livestock calendar spans Hawaii’s backyard poultry workshop, a statewide brand re-registration reminder, and Nebraska’s lineup of ag outlooks, tax updates, land lease sessions, captive insurance training, and ranch succession planning. We point to the tools, dates, and choices that help producers manage risk and prepare for the next year.• Backyard poultry basics workshop in Waimanalo with live demos • Hawaii brand re-registration deadline and five-year cycle • Nebraska Ag Outlook meetings on markets, risk, and policy • Tax changes affecting deductions and planning for 2025 • ARC and PLC decisions and program updates • Land lease rate workshops and negotiation guidance • Captive insurance workshop to clarify benefits and risks • “Returning to the ranch” webinar on succession and ownershipThanks for listening! Check out our other social media platforms!

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Livestock Wala&#39;au