Incorporating Veterinary Care into the Sheep Production Cycle

Abstract

According to recent national survey data, roughly half of sheep producers in the United States regularly utilize veterinary consultation as a diagnostic service. A large proportion of health problems in conventional flocks is the result of management errors and is potentially preventable. Veterinarians are well positioned to provide consultation services to improve management practices as well as diagnostic services to monitor health and disease in the animals. A logical starting point is the introduction of certain practices that have high potential to provide direct economic benefit to the producer, such as fertility testing of rams. By 0ffering such services at opportune times, veterinarians can efficiently integrate their expertise into the annual flock production cycle.