WELCOME

Welcome to the Summer 2023 edition of Protein Producers! As I write this, spring has finally sprung, and for many (if not all) of our producers, it did not come a minute too soon. A tough winter created many challenges for cattle and caregivers alike. As this winter fades away and last fall’s feeder cattle placements ship, we can take a brief moment to celebrate overcoming these challenges. I recently witnessed this firsthand at a family gathering, where I was able to see the gleam of joy in my dad’s eyes as family members complimented the pen of fattened cattle at the family farm. Whether it is a herd of 50 or more than 50,000, there are few greater feelings in this world than the knowledge of a job well done in producing a safe, wholesome protein supply.

As we start into the summer months, we will begin to encounter familiar issues. Summer weather forecast predictions show above average temperatures on the horizon. This issue provides timely and practical articles to address these challenges. Dr. AJ Tarpoff’s article on heat stress is a must-read. Dr. Dan Thomson dives into the complexity of atypical interstitial pneumonia (AIP) and what COVID can teach us about this disease. Dr. Matt Hille addresses the opportunities we have with diagnostic tools for BRD. There is a wealth of knowledge to gain from these experts and much, much more.

For those of you I have not had the pleasure to meet, I am one of PAC’s newest veterinarians. This summer marks two years with the PAC team, and what a fantastic time it has been! Working with our members, clients, and caregivers fulfills a dream I have had since I was 17. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our veterinarians and producers, and the mentorship I have received from the experts in our group is second to none. One of these great mentors, Dr. Tom Noffsinger, received the 2023 BQA Educator of the Year Award. Check out the press release featured in this issue, and if you see him in his travels, congratulate him for an outstanding and well-deserved achievement. If we have not yet met, perhaps we will get the opportunity to connect at the PAC Summit for Industry Leaders on July 12 in Kearney, Nebraska. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers that will tackle real issues facing agriculture and protein production. We hope to see you there!

To all of our readers, I wish you all a safe and happy summer season!

Jared Bourek, DVM Production Animal Consultation Aurora, Nebraska

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.