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There are few diseases to cross headlines that equally capture the attention of cattle producers and the general public like bovine tuberculosis (TB).

The mysterious foothill abortion disease in cattle was first seen in the foothill regions of coastal and central California – and recognized in the 1940s as different from brucellosis. It also occurs in southern Oregon and Nevada.

Earlier this year, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) released data from the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

We have all quoted, or at least heard, the age-old adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Attributed to Benjamin Franklin, the old saying is the go-to phrase for opening discussions everywhere regarding biosecurity.

If bovine respiratory disease (BRD) prevention measures have failed and you need to treat BRD with an antibiotic, the price on the bottle is easy to see. You’re likely not excited to make this purchase, which costs a pretty penny.

As a producer, a veterinarian is someone you can call to help with emergency situations and yearly herd health decisions like vaccinations and parasite control. But with years of school and training, he or she can do much more, especially in the field of reproduction. From heifer development to pregnancy diagnosis, a veterinarian can provide reproductive services to your operation that will likely yield you a higher profit margin.