Adding Value

WORK WITH CLIENTS TO BE A VALUED PART OF THEIR BUSINESS – AND THE FOOD CHAIN

In this issue, Vet-Advantage discusses the beginnings of calf health with experts. As you can read in “Calf Health Starts Before Birth” on page 18, the nutritional and immunological status of the cow is the foundation. When the cow is healthy and well-fed, then calves have the opportunity for the best start. Producers can add on to a good start with sound veterinary decisions and management practices.

None of these practices are easy investments. Yet, the producer will see returns in pounds of gain and reduced losses. In the long term, the entire industry can see improvements in consumer confidence that comes from wholesome beef.

Veterinarians offer a unique place in this environment. They are trusted by both beef producers and consumers. This is one of the reasons why regulations like the veterinary feed directive (VFD) puts the veterinarians front-and-center when determining treatment protocols (read more about the VFD on page 12).

Now that the VFD is in effect, the entire food chain is faced with both a challenge and an opportunity. Of course, there is more paperwork and additional procedures to follow. On the other hand, there is the prospect for deeper, stronger relationships between each link in the chain. Veterinarians and producers need formal relationship guidelines. Distributors and veterinarians must work together for the benefit of their co-customer.

Distributor sales representatives can help veterinary customers address this new regulatory environment by ensuring they have quick and easy access to current product labels and withdrawal times. By acting as a resource to your customer during this time of change, you can set yourself up as a partner – and contribute to increasing the public’s confidence in our food supply.