Improving client profitability by increasing veterinary services in the sheep and goat production cycle

Abstract

Bovine veterinarians frequently advise cattlemenregarding management practices and herd health proceduresthat improve the economic success and productivityof the cattle enterprise. Small-scale sheep and goatproducers are often unaware of these routine veterinarypractices that would similarly increase their success inlivestock production. Bovine practitioners can increasesmall-scale client profitability by educating them aboutroutine procedures that should be undertaken priorto breeding season, routine parturition, and neonatalcare. Areas where increasing on site veterinary servicesimprove profitability include breeding soundness examination,establishment of the veterinary-client-patientrelationship,use of controlled intravaginal drug releasedevices in sheep, pregnancy diagnosis, recommendationsfor the dry period, treatment of dystocia and creation ofstandard operating protocols for producers. Both bovineveterinarians and sheep and goat producers benefit fromincreased use of veterinary services.