Improving client profitability by increasing veterinary services in the sheep and goat production cycle

Abstract

Bovine veterinarians frequently advise cattlemen
regarding management practices and herd health procedures
that improve the economic success and productivity
of the cattle enterprise. Small-scale sheep and goat
producers are often unaware of these routine veterinary
practices that would similarly increase their success in
livestock production. Bovine practitioners can increase
small-scale client profitability by educating them about
routine procedures that should be undertaken prior
to breeding season, routine parturition, and neonatal
care. Areas where increasing on site veterinary services
improve profitability include breeding soundness examination,
establishment of the veterinary-client-patientrelationship,
use of controlled intravaginal drug release
devices in sheep, pregnancy diagnosis, recommendations
for the dry period, treatment of dystocia and creation of
standard operating protocols for producers. Both bovine
veterinarians and sheep and goat producers benefit from
increased use of veterinary services.