USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), along with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is conducting a national study focusing on cattle health and management on feedlots containing at least 50 head. The study will begin in March and April, and collected information will allow for the analysis of trends in topics related to cattle health.
The study will describe feedlot health management practices, estimate the prevalence of important feedlot cattle disease, describe antibiotic use and stewardship, and describe trends in health management and cattle diseases.
Participation in the study is voluntary, and those selected to participate will be visited by NASS representatives in March and April to complete a questionnaire. If participants choose to continue in the study, USDA or state veterinary health professionals will visit feedlots from June to August to complete a second questionnaire.
All information acquired for the study will be used for statistical purposes only and will be treated as confidential.
“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) appreciates the efforts of NAHMS to provide accurate and robust data for the U.S. beef cattle industry that can be used to detail trends in health management and antimicrobial use for feedyard cattle,” said Mary Ann Kniebel, vice chair of NCBA’s Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee.
For more information and to participate in the study, contact NAHMS at 970-494-7000
or NAHMS@usda.gov. Or, visit www.aphis.usda.gov. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
