USDA Feedlot Study

A decent amount of cattle here in the Southeast are raised on smaller ranches, until reaching the desired weight to be sent to feedlots, which are often located in the Midwest, closer to processing facilities. A new study from the USDA is gathering data on current feedlot practices and animal health.

Beef Magzine is reporting that the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) will be conducting a study focusing on cattle health and management of U.S. feedlots. The study, which focuses on feedlots of at least 50 head, is sending out questionnaires via representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics Service to participating operations from March through April 2021. Participants interested in being part of the second round of the study will have USDA or state veterinary health professionals administer a second questionnaire from June through August 2021.

Once the questionnaires are completed, the National Animal Health Monitoring System will analyze the data and issue a series of reports that will, as described by Beef Magazine:

- Help animal health officials assess disease-preparedness strengths and vulnerabilities;

- Help policymakers and industry stakeholders make informed decisions regarding feedlot cattle health and management;

- Identify research and development needs;

- Enable economic analyses of the health and productivity of U.S. feedlots;

- Identify educational needs and opportunities related to the health of feedlot cattle;

- Provide a benchmark on important feedlot cattle health management practices to inform quality assurance programs;

- Provide transparent, credible, and independent information on U.S. feedlot practices.