Backgrounding beef cattle

Stocker operations differ significantly in management techniques and health programs. Critical control points should be identified for each farm and used to ascertain the biggest areas for potential improvement so as to allow proper allocation of resources. A customized wellness program couples medicine and management to minimize the negative impact of disease. A complete program involves animal selection, disease prevention, and management. Calves should be evaluated and classified into appropriate risk categories regarding treatment, management, and performance expectations. Disease prevention strategies should involve increasing immune responses while decreasing pathogen exposure and stress in cattle. Disease management includes the methods used to minimize the impact of illness on the population.