Symposium Paper: Health Management Programs: Integrating Biological and Management Principles in Analysis, Design, and Implementation of Programs for Two-Year-Old Beef Cows1

Designing a health program for cow-calf operations requires a scientific approach and knowledge of ranch resources, environment, genetics, nutrition, management, and a biosecurity program. These areas are interrelated and must be considered to assess and manage the risk of disease. A comprehensive health program should 1) identify potential risks related to production and disease; 2) determine and understand appropriate benchmarks for production, disease, and production costs; 3) diagnose the problem when benchmarks are not achieved; and 4) use appropriate records to verify results. The 2-yr-old cow is at the greatest risk of failing to meet financial and production benchmarks because of her additional nutritional requirements. This group may also have reduced herd immunity and generally produce lower quantity and quality of colostrum, resulting in greater risk of disease and potentially reduced production in their offspring. As a result, this group may require more inputs in all aspects of the health program. Risk assessment includes the specific risks to biosecurity, such as raising or purchasing females that are persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) or Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Risk assessment of exposure to common infectious reproductive disease pathogens, such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), leptospirosis, trichomoniasis, vibriosis, and neopsora should be conducted and vaccination protocols implemented as needed. Finally, an understanding of the concept of herd immunity is important when defining realistic expectations regarding immunizations. With proper implementation, health programs can significantly reduce the risk of disease and economic loss.