More snow in MT yesterday. Sunny today.
Just like the cattle industry. Plenty of things to be down about if you want to be down. I think we need to focus on the sun shining. We have challenges, but like the weather most of them are beyond our control. Learning to survive and adapt is the key.
I had a good conversation over the weekend about the role of veterinarians in cattle production. The challenge is that the cattle industry is changing faster than most vets want to change. What services can we offer to the farmer or rancher to keep them in business. The main concern of the vet I was talking to was that what he did had little or nothing to do with profitability or perceived profit by the rancher. He sees the vet as an expense. So how can we change that? I agree that the cattle transaction or trade is key. Unfortunately profitability comes to cattle that are often the cheapest. Buying “good” cattle direct from the ranch may be better, but the trade does not allow for the profit that a buyer expects. The problem is the price and the fill. The reality is buyers are purchasing pounds of fill that is difficult to overcome. That is why salebarn or shrunk cattle can be a better deal. The spread between the “cheap” cattle and the “good” cattle needs to widen.
I think that we need to help our clients market what we are providing. How do our programs keep our clients cattle at the top of the market. In a commodity market it is always a challenge, but we need to start. Does the local salebarn offer the best market for the calves that are preconditioned and BVD PI negative? As veterinarians, we know that there is a benefit to preventative health, but we need to help the rancher sell it. If the rancher does not get more for his cattle his perception was that there was no value. Perception is reality. Assist clients in looking at the big picture. If you do not feel competent then find a network that will help.
More later. time to stop ramblin
