Is it a trend or is the demand for a quality control program that provides the cattle buyer with a health guarantee on their purchase becoming a standard that’s here to stay, and in fact on the rise? More and more producers are asking questions about the vaccination programs that are available in the marketplace and the differences they might make in their herds.
“As a value add to our customers, I believe we as veterinarians ought to make them aware of the growing demand industry-wide for a higher level of animal health,” says Dr. Etherington, Northern Vet Services, Dewberry, Alberta. “By introducing customers to a comprehensive vaccination program administered early in the life cycle of the animal we can serve to assist them in meeting changing industry standards.”
“It’s a fact that cattle nowadays that are part of a vaccination program are sought after by buyers and feedlots,” says Dr. Etherington. “Cattlemen need to know that the few dollars they invest up front on a tried and true vaccination program, will serve to pay them back with an overall healthier herd.”
A recent, random telephone survey of western Canadian cattle producers revealed that the end buyers are more frequently demanding cattle that have been included in a reliable vaccination program because they can be confident that they are buying and replacing cattle that are healthy.
Stephen Cook, of Triple C Charolais, located in Steeprock, Manitoba, along with nine other producers held a very successful, 1600 head cattle sale on November 30, 2002.
“Every head in our sale was part of the Pfizer Gold vaccination program – it was a mandate to be a consignor in the sale,” said Cook. “It was an extremely hot sale. There were buyers at the sale that were instructed to purchase only Pfizer Gold cattle – which is what we had. Everyone involved was very happy with the results – it will definitely be an annual event for us.”
The protection from viral infections that vaccination programs provide translates directly into greater efficiencies for the producer and, in the end, the feedlot, as treatment of vaccinated cattle is drastically reduced. Feedlot operators that have lost calves or received calves from a producer that were plagued by disease will either not buy from that producer the next time or will offer to pay less money for their calves – and news travels fast.
“For any business, a good reputation is extremely important,” says Dr. Etherington. “This is especially true for our customers in the cattle business. If a feedlot is having too much trouble with a certain producer’s animals, well then he just won’t go back. Spring vaccination programs for calves on the farm or being sold into feedlot operations are a producer’s best insurance against major viral diseases.”
When Joe Bews refers to his mountainous terrain at Stoney Creek Ranch in Longview, Alberta, he calls it pretty rough country. Each year he buys about 250 head to run on grass in the mountains at his ranch, in addition to his own herd of approximately 90 cows. “I don’t get a chance to check my cattle a lot in the summer when they run on grass in the mountains, so I can’t be worrying about sickness,” says Bews. “This Spring I gave the 250 head I purchased Pfizer Gold before sending them into the mountains, and every one of them came out without so much as a droopy ear. Didn’t have one sick one.”
Frank Jenkins branded 650 head of certified Angus last year at his ranch, Jenkins Lazy U Ranch, in Pincher Creek, Alberta.
“We used the Pfizer Gold vaccination program at branding and again at weaning last year and felt our health was better as a result,” says Jenkins. “We had no pasture pneumonia this year at all, our calves weaned really good and the steer calves we sold this year did really well at auction. I think a good vaccination program is an extra thing the rancher can do to make his herd that much better.” Says Stephen Cook about vaccination programs, “I think that if you don’t go Pfizer Gold in the future, you’ll be discounted. It’s a guarantee that the buyers and feedlots want.”
Pfizer is committed to enhancing the animal health industry by delivering innovation to the veterinary profession. For more information on Pfizer Gold or any other products and programs from Pfizer contact:
Pete Knight DVM
Senior Manager Technical Service,
Cattle Products
Pfizer Animal Health
Canada
1-800-999-2587