Dr. L D Barker Says A Strong Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship Is Key To Good Herd Health

Jun 22, 2016

The USDA mandated veterinary feed directive (VFD) goes into effect January 1, 2017 and will require cattle producers to work with their veterinarian before administering antibiotics via feed. Newcastle veterinarian Dr. L D Barker says a VFD is just a small part of the veterinary-client-patient relationship, which is essential to the overall health and productivity of a herd.

Barker says a strong veterinary-client-patient relationship allows a veterinarian to know the ins and outs of an operation in order to better prevent and treat diseases like bovine respiratory disease - a major concern for a lot of producers. BRD can be prevented with vaccine protocols, but Barker says if an animal is trace mineral deficient or has a parasite load, the vaccine won’t be effective. Having that veterinary-client-patient relationship in place gives veterinarians the information they need about the kind, origin and management of cattle on an operation.

For producers looking to introduce high-risk cattle to their herd, Barker says it is especially important to develop a relationship with a veterinarian and work closely with an animal nutritionist to address deficiencies. He also recommends updating facilities to meet Beef Quality Assurance standards, as mishandling cattle can cause unnecessary stress that leads to compromised health.

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Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.