PROTEINproducers

EDITORIAL TEAM:

Brandi Bain, Andrea Dietel, Darcy Howard, Lisa Taylor

Sponsors

Thank you to all sponsors for supporting PAC & Protein Producers.

Animal Health International

Bimeda, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Daniels Manufacturing Co.

DOCTalk

Huvepharma Inc.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition

Merck Animal Health

Micro Technologies

Neogen

Newport Laboratories

Norbrook

Zinpro Corporation

Zoetis

FRONT COVER PHOTO CREDIT

Thank you to Doug Keiser for the photo from K Farms in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Barton County Feeders

Ellinwood, Kansas

Matthew Vaupel, Manager

We want to showcase unique photographs from our readers here!

Please submit your photographs to protein.producers@ pacdvms.com.

Welcome to Protein Producers! During the time in my life that I refer to as my practice sabbatical, the years that I spent with the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, I was asked, “What is beef cattle production medicine?” My answer soon became, “It is public health medicine for cows,” and I adapted a medical doctor’s definition of public health medicine to fit beef cattle production medicine:

The art and science of preventing disease, reducing waste of the natural resources that have been entrusted to our care and promoting health and production efficiency through organized efforts for the maintenance and improvement of the environment, the control of population infections, the education of caregivers in health management, promoting early diagnosis and treatment of disease and the development of awareness to ensure the health and well-being of our animals in order to provide to the assurance to the consuming public that beef is a safe, wholesome product that will provide an enjoyable eating experience AND comes from animals that have been properly cared for from conception to consumption.

It is my belief that members of PAC personify this definition by passionately caring for the individual animal while striving to improve the entire production system. We deal daily with resources that have been entrusted to our care whether they be human, livestock, or natural resources such as water, air, and forage. We are willing to make changes and to use new technology in order to make life better for the creatures we work with.

This way of thinking is exemplified in the topics that are discussed in this issue of Protein Producers.

Dr. Nels Lindberg deals with human resources in his leadership discussion.

Stewardship of our equine friends in the feedlot is discussed by Ted Howard. The welfare of feedlot cattle during summer months is considered in a discussion of heat stress and how to mitigate that stress. We have an article about the SenseHub® Feedlot system, which utilizes ear tag technology to aid in the detection of feedlot cattle that need some extra attention and care.

Animal welfare and disease control in cow-calf production systems is addressed in a discussion of fly control. Additionally, there is a discussion about water quality and potential summer toxicology issues in pastures and ponds.

All of this is in addition to the features that appear in each issue such as a parable from Dr. Doug Ford and Dr. Greg Quakenbush, PAC member highlights, and a good beef recipe.

This conversion of cellulose into high quality red meat protein that we are all involved in necessitates good stewardship of the resources that God has entrusted to our care. He gave each of us different, specific gifts that He knew are necessary for this conversion. If we work together as a team, utilizing each other’s gifts, we create value. Value for those involved in production as well as value for the consumer by providing assurance to the consuming public that beef is a safe, wholesome product that will provide an enjoyable eating experience AND comes from animals that have been properly cared for from conception to consumption.

Dave Rethorst, DVM Beef Health Solutions

Production Animal Consultation

Wamego, Kansas

Thank You

We want to thank the industry partners, publications and associations who have pro vided content to Protein Producers . Also, a big thank you to our readers for supporting us, offering content and helping us improve each issue. We could not do any of this without all of you!

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and information expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect Production Animal Consultation's policy or position.

Remember, our horse is our partner and we want him as comfortable as he can be. If your tack fits correctly, your horse will not be sore or frustrated and your day will go smoother. Much like if your boots do not rub or pinch your feet!