Cow/Calf Herd Health

An Idealistic Herd Health Program

Abstract

A large proportion of U.S. beef originates in small (farm) cow herds. Two-thirds of beef breeding herds in the United States have fewer than fifty cows. Forty-one states have an average herd size of fewer than fifty cows. Nine North Atlantic states have an average herd size of only four cows. Only two percent of all U.S. beef herds have more than 500 cows. However, a minimum of 200 cows is generally considered necessary for an "Economic unit" or a "primary enterprise." These figures contrast with over forty percent of U.S. cattle "finished" being fed in fewer than 200 feedlots.Despite the difficulties of delivering adquate veterinary service at an affordable cost, preventive health programs are very important to the productivity of small beef herds.