operation could be a very good investment. The plan may be the fi rst step in development of a consulting relationship with your veterinarian that focuses on preventive health as opposed to crisis management.
2) Determine the optimal time of the year for calving/breeding seasons for your operation. Periodically re-evaluating the calving/breeding season can be well worth your time. Care- ful analysis of management and forage resources can de- termine the optimal time for each operation. The reasons for breeding/calving at certain times should be based on the ultimate goals of the operation. Since everything in a herd health-planning program revolves around the breeding season, occasional justifi cation and consideration of alternatives may be benefi cial.
3) Determine the optimal length for your calving/ breeding seasons. The optimal length of a breeding season is dictated by the operation’s goals, manage- ment resources, forage resources, geography and breed. Blanket recommendations without consider- ation of the nutritional resources and management capabilities of the operation are ill advised.
4) Become more knowledgeable about the specifi c diseases/parasites that are economically signifi - cant in your area. Your local veterinarian is an excellent source for information about the diseases and parasites that are economically signifi cant in a specifi c geographic region. Developing a plan together will make sure the information applies to your goals and operation.
5) Determine the best time to administer pre- ventive measures for each disease/condition. Prior to “putting it all together” in a simple and brief health management plan, it is helpful to review spe- cifi c recommended time periods for vaccination and parasite control. Failure to vaccinate for common diseases or treat for parasites at the correct time may result in decreased health performance, even when the best products available are used.
6) Select specifi c products that have research-proven effi cacy and the best data available. Selection of specifi c animal-health products, based on the best
tscra.org
science available, should be an important compo- nent of a documented herd health plan. The new Veterinary Feed Directive rules go into effect in January 2017, making it more important than ever to work closely with your veterinarian.
7) Determine which additional health or manage- ment practices will require cattle handling and “package” health management practices into a limited number of “events.” Decisions should be made based on careful prioritization of the rela- tive importance of products or procedures to be administered. While the design and implementa- tion of a cost-effective health program can never be perfect, every operation has the opportunity to improve profi tability through better planning and coordination.
8) “Put it all together” in a one-page summary calen- dar and/or fl ow protocol. Standardized protocols should be avoided because every operation is unique. Effective beef herd health planning ultimately is a series of optimal compromises that interweaves immunology, management and economics into a simple, cost-effective program.
9) Provide periodic updates. Recommendations should be modifi ed as management changes occur and improved products become available in order to provide a proper “fi t” for each unique operation. Any change in events could create a “domino effect” and necessitate other changes in the overall health management program. Read the entire presentation notes on this topic, or
research other topics, at
tscra.org/education/ranch- ing101.html.
August 2016 The Cattleman 73
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