Nutritional Management Opportunities for Veterinarians

Abstract

Improved decisions can be made both in nutrition and veterinary practice advice when both cattle performance and herd economic information is available to all involved. Conception rates, percent calf crop and pounds weaned per cow exposed are good measures of cattle performance. Cost per pound of calf weaned is very helpful. Total costs per cow, if possible broken down by pasture, supplemental feed, veterinary, etc. helps further. Veterinarians would do well to encourage producers to conduct a SPA analysis and share this information with everyone involved with managing or advising the operation.