Beef cattle health paramount to success

For cattle to reach their performance potential, they must be healthy. Therefore, a sound herd health program is a must in today’s competitive beef production program.

A proper health program will vary from herd to herd. A single program will not fit all herds throughout the state. For example, some herds may have very few health problems and, therefore, a minimal program will suffice while others may need a very extensive herd health plan. Also, particular diseases may be prevalent in one herd or area and be absent in another. The herd health program should be tailored to fit the individual herd.

The first rule to good herd health is sound disease prevention. Utilize your herd veterinarian to assist you in developing a comprehensive vaccination and therapeutic program. Your veterinarian can also support your beef operation by performing diagnostic procedures, including sending of samples to diagnostic laboratories and post mortem examinations.

A general concern of some producers is whether or not the costs of implementing a vaccine program are justified by disease prevention. The investment in disease prevention is less than the cost of disease treatment. Don’t wait until a disease outbreak occurs before implementing a sound herd health program. Avoiding a potential health disaster in your cattle operation validates the cost. Keep in mind the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Remember that a vaccination program alone shouldn’t be considered your complete herd health program. The vaccination program should be viewed as an important part of an effective health management plan that would also include proper nutrition, parasite control, and a simple biosecurity plan for your operation.

Minimizing or preventing disease entry and spread on farms should be included in every herd health plan. To accomplish this, several general management practices could be implemented with minimal cost. Simple considerations include knowing what is in the area of your farm perimeter (e.g. farms, visitors, neighboring livestock and wildlife), individual animal identification, animal health protocols, recognizing and dealing with sick animals, isolation/ quarantine, supply handling and neonatal management.

Since people and vehicles can potentially transfer infectious agents from one farm to another, control access to driveways, private roads and barns.

By implementing a strong herd health program for your operation, disease risk can be minimized. For more information on disease risk management for your operation, visit your county Extension office.

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Source: Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas system