Form NAHMS-401 Beef 2017 VS Visit

2

Beef 2017
VS Visit

Animal and
Plant Health
Inspection
Service

National Animal Health
Monitoring System

(January 22 – April 6, 2018)

Veterinary
Services

2150 Centre Ave Bldg B
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Form Approved
OMB Number: 0579-0326
Expires xxxx

State FIPS:

Operation #:

2 digits

4 digits

Interviewer:
Initials

Date:
(mm/dd/yy)

Arrival time at operation: ___________

Be sure the Producer understands that in this questionnaire, the term “you” refers to how “this operation”
conducts the management practices of the beef operation.
Indicate to the Producer that these questions (except where noted) refer to the cow-calf operation and do
not include any dairy, stocker, or feedlot enterprise that is or might be part of this operation.

For comparison, from the General Beef Management Report, enter the response to the
following questions:
Page 2, Item 2a, total number of beef cows on hand as of October 1, 2017 ....................
_____
Page 3, Item 9, beef calves born alive or expected to be born alive in 2017 ....................
_____

Section A—Inventory and Sales Practices
1. a. How many beef cows, including heifers that have calved, were
on hand on January 1, 2018? .......................................................................... V100

_____ head

b. Of these, how many were:
(i) Less than 5 years old? .............................................................................. V101

_____ head

(ii) 5 to 9 years old? ....................................................................................... V102

_____ head

(iii) 10 years or older? ...................................................................................... V103

_____ head

(iv) Add questions 1b(i), 1b(ii), and 1b(iii). Total should equal question 1a. ... V104

= _____ head

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0579-0326. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour
Draft for
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data resources, gathering and maintaining
the
data needed, and
1 completing and reviewing the collection of information.

NAHMS-401

PretestAUG 2017

State/Operation #: _________________

2. During 2017, how many beef calves were born:
a. Alive?................................................................................................................ V105

_____ head

b. Dead? ............................................................................................................... V106

_____ head
1 Yes

3. During 2017, did this operation sell any beef cattle or weaned calves? ............ V107

3 No

[If question 3 = No, SKIP to section B.]
Code List A1—Method-of-sale codes, question 4
1 – Auction
2 – Direct – video/Internet auction
3 – Direct – private treaty

4 – Consignment
5 – Forward contract
6 – Carcass basis

7 – Other (specify: __________)
V108OTH

4. Now I’d like to ask about beef cattle and weaned calves sold during 2017.
I’ll need the number of head sold and the primary method of sale. [Use code from List A1 above.]
During 2017, how many:
No. head

Sale code

a. Steers, weaned or older, were sold?

V108

V115

b. Heifers, weaned or older, were sold for breeding stock?

V109

V116

c. Other heifers, weaned or older, were sold for purposes other than
breeding (e.g., for backgrounding, feeding or slaughter)?

V110

V117

d. Cows were sold for breeding stock?

V111

V118

e. Other cows were sold for purposes other than breeding
(culls, whether for feeding or slaughter)?

V112

V119

f. Bulls, weaned and under two years old, were sold for breeding
stock?

V113

V120

g. Other bulls, weaned and under two years old, were sold for purposes
other than breeding (e.g., for backgrounding, feeding, or slaughter)

V114

V121

h. Breeding bulls, two years or older, were sold (culls, whether for
breeding at another operation, feeding or slaughter)?
5. During 2017, did this operation sell any weaned calves for purposes
other than breeding? [We are interested in weaned calves destined
for feedlot, backgrounder, or stocker operations.]

V122

1 Yes

3 No

[If question 5 = No, SKIP to question 13.]
6. For weaned calves sold during 2017 for purposes other than breeding, how many
days after weaning, on average, were the calves held before they left the operation?
[If calves leave the operation on the day they are weaned, enter “0”for number of days]V123 _____ days
7. For weaned calves sold during 2017 for purposes other than breeding, how many
Days, on average, were the calves fed in a feed bunk before they left the operation?
a. Before weaning (creep feeding) .........................................................................

_____ days

b. After weaning .....................................................................................................

_____ days

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

2

State/Operation #: _________________

8. For weaned calves sold during 2017 for purposes other than breeding, were
calves treated for internal or external parasites before they left the operation?
a. Internal parasites (worms)..................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

b. External parasites (flies, lice, ticks, grubs) .........................................................

1 Yes

3 No

9. For weaned calves sold during 2017 for purposes other than breeding, were
calves dehorned before they left the operation? [If calves
are all polled, enter “NA”] ..........................................................................................1 Yes

2 NA 3 No

[If question 9 = No, SKIP to question 11.]

10. For calves that were dehorned before they left the
operation, how many days after dehorning, on average,
were the calves held before they left the operation? ................................................
11. For weaned calves sold during 2017 for purposes other than breeding, were
calves castrated before they left the operation?.......................................................

_____ days
1 Yes

3 No

[If question 11 = No, SKIP to question 13.]

12. For calves that were castrated before they left the
operation, how many days after castration, on average,
were the calves held before they left the operation? ................................................

_____ days

13. [Refer to question 4e above—cows sold for purposes other than breeding (culls).]
[If question 4e = Zero, SKIP to section B.]
What was the average weight of cows sold for purposes other than
breeding (culls) during 2017? .................................................................................... V124

_____ lb

14. Of the (question 4e) cows sold for purposes other than breeding (culls),
how many were sold primarily because of:
a.

Pregnancy status (open or aborted)? ................................................................ V125

_____ head

b.

Other reproductive problems (other than open or aborted)? ............................. V126

_____ head

c.

Producing poor calves? ...................................................................................... V127

_____ head

d.

Age or bad teeth? ............................................................................................... V128

_____ head

e.

Physical unsoundness (e.g., injury or lameness)?............................................. V129

_____ head

f.

Bad eyes? .......................................................................................................... V130

_____ head

g.

Digestive problem? ............................................................................................ V131

_____ head

h.

Respiratory problem? ......................................................................................... V132

_____ head

i.

Udder problem? ................................................................................................. V133

_____ head

j.

Temperament? ................................................................................................... V134

_____ head

k.

Economics, such as drought, herd reduction, or market conditions? ................ V135

_____ head

l.

Some other factor? (specify: _______________________V136OTH) .................... V136

_____ head

m. Add numbers by cause. Total should equal number of head in question 4e. ... V137 = _____ head

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

3

State/Operation #: _________________

15. How many of the (question 4e) cows sold for purposes other than breeding (culls) were:
a.

Less than 5 years old? .................................................................................... V138

_____ head

b.

5 to 9 years old? .............................................................................................. V139

_____ head

c.

10 years or older? ............................................................................................ V140

_____ head

d.

Add numbers by age. Total should equal number of head in question 4e. .... V141

= _____ head

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

4

State/Operation #: _________________

Section B—Vaccination and Testing Practices
Vaccination Practices
1 Yes

1. a. During 2017, did you vaccinate any beef cattle or calves? ......................... V586

3 No

[If question 1a = No, SKIP to question 7.]
b. For the vaccines administered to cattle during 2017, enter X in the cell(s) for the cattle class(es)
that received the vaccine; leave all other cells blank.

Calves
1 to 21
days
GENERAL (resp and/or repro)
a. IBR (rednose, infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis)
b. BVD (bovine viral diarrhea)
c. Histophilus somni (formerly
Haemophilus somnus)
RESPIRATORY

Calves
22 days
through
weaning

Weaned
replacement
heifers
through
breeding

Bred
replacement
heifers
through
calving

Cows

Bulls

V142

V158

V176

V195

V215

V235

V143

V159

V177

V196

V216

V236

V144

V160

V178

V197

V217

V237

V145

V161

V179

V198

V218

V238

V146

V162

V180

V199

V219

V239

V147

V163

V181

V200

V220

V240

g. Brucella abortus

V164

V182

V201

V221

h. Leptospira

V165

d. PI3 (parainfluenza virus)
e. BRSV (bovine respiratory
syncytial virus)
f. Pasteurella/Mannheimia
REPRODUCTIVE

V183

V202

V222

V241

i. Campylobacter (vibrio)

V184

V203

V223

V242

j. Tritrichomonas (Trich)

V185

V204

V224

V243

CLOSTRIDIAL
k. Clostridium chauvoei
(blackleg) and/or Cl.
septicum (malignant
edema) and/or Cl. novyi
and/or Cl. sordellii
(2- or 4-way)
l. Cl. perfringens C and D
(enterotoxemia, overeating)
m. Cl. tetani (tetanus)

V148

V166

V186

V206

V226

V244

V149

V167

V187

V207

V227

V245

V150

V168

V188

V208

V228

V246

n. Rota/corona

V151

V169

V189

V209

V229

o. E. coli

V152

V170

V190

V210

V230

p. Salmonella

V153

V171

V191

V211

V231

V247

r. Johne’s

V155

V173

s. Moraxella bovis (pink eye)

V156

V174

V193

V213

V233

V249

V157

V175

V194

V214

V234

V250

V157

V157

V157

V157

V157

V157

DIGESTIVE

OTHER
q. Anthrax

t. Wart virus
u. Other vaccine
(specify: __________)

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

5

State/Operation #: _________________

2. How many times is a calf typically vaccinated for respiratory disease from birth
to sale? [Count each vaccination event—whether the calf is given single or multiple
injections at the event to cover the various respiratory disease(s)—as one time.] ........

_____ #

[If question 2 = Zero, SKIP to question 4.]
3. When vaccinating calves for respiratory disease before sale, do you vaccinate them:
a. After weaning but before sale? .................................................................... V252

1 Yes

3 No

b. At weaning? ................................................................................................. V253

1 Yes

3 No

c.

Less than 14 days prior to weaning? ........................................................... V254

1 Yes

3 No

d. 30 to 14 days prior to weaning? ................................................................... V255

1 Yes

3 No

e. From birth through 31 days prior to weaning? ............................................. V256

1 Yes

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

BVD vaccination practices
[Data Collector: Refer to section B, question 1b.b on page 5 to answer questions 4 and 5.]
4. During 2017, did you vaccinate any cattle against BVD? ................................. V265
[If question 4 = No, SKIP to question 7.]
5. Were the following cattle classes vaccinated against BVD during 2017?
[If Yes, show the Producer Guide 1 (BVD Vaccine Reference Card) and enter the
vaccine code for the product used most commonly for that age group.]
Vaccine code
(from Guide 1)

a. Calves 1 to 21 days .......................................... V266/V273

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

b. Calves 22 days through weaning ..................... V267/V274

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

If question 5b = Yes, number of times a calf
is vaccinated between 22 days and weaning ....................................... V275

_____ times

Weaned replacement heifers through breedingV268/V276

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

d. Bred replacement heifers precalving ............... V269/V277
(e.g., at pregnancy check)

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

e. Cows prebreeding ............................................ V270/V278

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

f.

Cows precalving (e.g., at pregnancy check) .... V271/V279

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

g. Bulls.................................................................. V272/V280

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

c.

6. Were the following cattle classes given an annual BVD booster injection during 2017?
[If Yes, show the Producer Guide 1 (BVD Vaccine Reference Card) and enter the
vaccine code for the product used most commonly.]
Vaccine code
(from Guide 1)

a. Cows ................................................................... V281/V283

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

b. Bulls..................................................................... V282/V284

1 Yes

3 No

_____ code

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

6

State/Operation #: _________________

Testing Practices
BVD testing practices
7. Do you believe that testing a group of calves and subsequent
removal of any that are persistently infected with BVD virus
affects the value of the remaining calves in the group?........................ V285

1 Yes

2 DK

3 No

[If question 7 = No or Don’t know, SKIP to question 8.]
Increased value Decreased value
a. How much does the value of a BVD-negative
calf increase or decrease after its group is tested
for persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus and all
positive animals are removed? ..................................... V286/V287 + _____ $/hd OR - _____$/hd
8. Do you market calves for sale as BVD-PI negative?................................................
9. Do you believe that removing calves that have tested positive
for persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus affects the health of
the remaining cattle in the group? ......................................................... V288

1 Yes

1 Yes

3 No

2 DK

3 No

[If question 9 = No or Don’t know, SKIP to question 11.]
10. Would you expect to see the following health effects from
removing calves positive for persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus?
a. Improved reproductive efficiency (fewer abortions, stillbirths) ..................... V289

1 Yes

3 No

b. Reduced sickness and/or treatment costs ................................................... V290

1 Yes

3 No

c.

Reduced death loss ..................................................................................... V291

1 Yes

3 No

d. Other (specify: __________________________V292OTH).............................. V292

1 Yes

3 No

11. In the past 3 years, have you tested any beef cattle for
persistent infection (PI) with BVD virus? ............................................................ V293

1 Yes

3 No

[If questions 11 = No, SKIP to question 14.]
12. During 2017, did you BVD test:
a. All calves born to heifers/cows bred on the operation? ............ V294

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

b. All calves born to heifers/cows purchased when pregnant? ..... V295

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

c.

All calves acquired as part of a cow-calf pair? .......................... V296

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

d. All heifers/cows purchased when open?................................... V297

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

e. Clinical suspects? ..................................................................... V298

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

Other (specify: __________________________V299OTH)........... V299

1 Yes

2 NA

3 No

f.

[If questions 11a–f are ALL No or NA, SKIP to question 14.]

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

7

State/Operation #: _________________

13. What samples were collected for BVD testing?
a. Ear notches .................................................................................................. V300

1 Yes

3 No

(i) If Yes, how were the samples tested at the laboratory?
(a) Pools followed by individual testing if a positive
was identified ..................................................................... V301

1 Yes

2 DK

3 No

(b) Individual sample testing only ............................................ V302

1 Yes

2 DK

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

b. Serum samples ............................................................................................ V303
(i) If Yes, how were the samples tested at the laboratory?
(a) Pools followed by individual testing if a positive
was identified ..................................................................... V304

1 Yes

2 DK

3 No

(b) Individual sample testing only ............................................ V305

1 Yes

2 DK

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

Parasite testing practices
14. In the last 3 years, have you done any fecal testing to
evaluate parasite burdens? .................................................................................... V306

Section C—Disease Control, Illness, and Deaths
1. During 2017, did you use antibiotics in feed for treatment, control, or prevention
of disease and/or to promote growth*? .............................................................. V307

*On January 1, 2017, medically important antibiotics, like chlortetracycline, were no longer allowed to be used for growth promotion
purposes. However, bambermycins (Gainpro®) and ionophores (Rumensin®, Bovatec®, and Cattlyst®) are all considered nonmedically important antibiotics, and these can still be used for growth promotion purposes after January 1, 2017.

[If question 1 = No, SKIP to question 3.]

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

8

State/Operation #: _________________

Code List C1—Question 2, column B
1 – Trade journals
2 – Other producers
3 – Local veterinary practitioner
4 – Consulting or second-opinion
veterinarian

5 – Nutritionist
6 – Supplier of antibiotics other than veterinarian
(e.g., feed store, direct marketer, Internet company)
7 – Other (specify: ____________________________V308OTH)
8 – No other influences

2. a. For the three animal classes listed in the table below, did you use antibiotics in feed (including
creep feed) during 2017 for the primary purposes indicated? [Check Yes or No in column A.]
b. [If column A is Yes, complete columns B, C, and D. If column A is No, proceed to next row.]
Column B: For those primary purposes for which you used antibiotics in feed, other than your
knowledge and experience, who or what had the primary influence on decisions regarding
which antibiotics to use? [Enter a code from List C1 (above) in column B (below).]
Column C: What was the primary antibiotic used? [Consult Guide 2 (Antibiotics Used in Feed)
and enter the appropriate code for the primary antibiotic used in column C (below).]
Column D: On average, how many days was the antibiotic fed to an animal in that age group?
[In column D (below), enter the average number of days the antibiotic was fed
to an animal in that age group.]
Column A

Column B

Column C

Column D

Primary
antibiotic
(code from
Guide 2)

Average
number of
days fed

If Column A = Yes

Animal class

Unweaned calves

Primary purpose
Prevention, control, or
treatment of respiratory
disease
Other (specify: ______V309OTH)

Used
antibiotics in
feed in 2017?
1 Yes

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

V308a

V309a

Prevention, control, or
1 Yes 2 NA 3
Replacement heifers treatment of respiratory
disease
No V310a
weaned but not yet

1 Yes 2 NA
calved [If none,
Promote growth*
3 No V311a
enter NA.]
1 Yes 2 NA
Other (specify: ______V312OTH)
3 No V312a

Prevention, control, or
treatment of respiratory
disease

Other calves
weaned but not yet
shipped for feeding
or sold as breeding Promote growth*
stock [If none, enter
Other (specify: ______V315OTH)
NA.]

1 Yes 2 NA
3 No V313a
1 Yes 2 NA
3 No V314a
1 Yes 2 NA
3 No V315a

Primary
Influence
(from
List C1)

V308b

V308c

V308d

V309b

V309c

V309d

V310b

V310c

V310d

V311b

V311c

V311d

V312b

V312c

V312d

V313b

V313c

V313d

V314b

V314c

V314d

V315b

V315c

V315d

*On January 1, 2017, medically important antibiotics, like chlortetracycline, were no longer allowed to be used for growth promotion
purposes. However, bambermycins (Gainpro®) and ionophores (Rumensin®, Bovatec®, and Cattlyst®) are all considered non-medically
important antibiotics, and these can still be used for growth promotion purposes after January 1, 2017.

3. In 2017, did you use either oral (via bolus, drench, or drinking water)
or injectable antibiotics to treat disease? ............................................................... V337

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

1 Yes

3 No

9

State/Operation #: _________________

[If question 3 = No, SKIP to question 6.]
Code List C2—Question 4, column B
5 – Supplier of antibiotics other than veterinarian
1 – Trade journals
(e.g., feed store, direct marketer, Internet
company)
2 – Other producers
6 – Other (specify: __________________V338OTH)
3 – Local veterinary practitioner
7 – No other influences
4 – Consulting or second-opinion veterinarian
4. a. For the two animal classes listed in the table below, did you use oral (via bolus, drench,
or drinking water) or injectable antibiotics to treat or control the listed diseases in 2017?
[Check Yes or No in column A.]
b. [If column A is Yes, continue with column B to complete row.] Aside from you, who or what had
the primary influence on decisions regarding which oral or injectable antibiotics to use?
[Enter a code from List C2 (above) in column B (below).]
Column A

Column B
If Column A = Yes

Animal class

Disease
Pinkeye

V338a

Respiratory disease

1 Yes

3 No

Digestive disease

1 Yes

3 No

Other (specify: ____________V341OTH)

1 Yes

3 No

Pinkeye

1 Yes

3 No

Footrot

1 Yes

3 No

Respiratory disease

1 Yes

3 No

Other (specify: ____________V344OTH)

1 Yes

Unweaned calves

Replacement heifers
weaned but not yet
calved

Use antibiotics to Primary influence on
decisions
treat disease?
(from List C2)
1 Yes 3 No
V339a
V340a
V341a
V342a
V342a
V343a

V338b
V339b
V340b
V341b
V342b
V342b
V343b

3 No
V344a

V344b

5. How many animals in each of the following categories were given antibiotics
at least once via either oral (via bolus, drench, or drinking water) or injectable
routes to treat or control any diseases or disorders during 2017? [Write in NA if category not on
operation.]
_____ head
a. Unweaned calves ............................................................................................. V345
b. Replacement heifers weaned but not yet calved ............................................. V346

_____ head

c.

_____ head

Cows ................................................................................................................ V347

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

10

State/Operation #: _________________

6. Complete the table below for treatment or control of DISEASES or DISORDERS in unweaned
calves, replacement heifers weaned but not yet calved, and cows in 2017.
[Codes for this table are in Guide 3 (Oral and Injectable Antibiotics Used to Treat Disease).]

Animal
class

Unweaned
calves

Disease or
disorder

Number of
affected
Primary
animals antibiotic
Number
given
used via
affected antibiotics bolus or
during via bolus
drench
2017
or drench
(code)

Respiratory
Diarrhea/
scours or
other
digestive
Pinkeye
Navel
infection
Other
(specify)V352O

V348

V365

V349

V366

V350

V367

V351

Number of
affected
animals
given
antibiotics
in drinking
water

Primary
drinking
water
antibiotic
used
(code)

Number of
Primary
affected animals INJECTABLE
given
antibiotic
INJECTABLE
used
antibiotics
(code)

V382

V399

V416

V383

V400

V417

V384

V401

V418

V368

V385

V402

V419

V352

V369

V386

V403

V420

V353

V370

V404

V421

V354

V371

V388

V405

V422

V355

V372

V389

V406

V423

V356

V373

V390

V407

V424

V357

V374

V391

V408

V425

V358

V375

V409

V426

V359

V376

V393

V410

V427

V360

V377

V394

V411

V428

V361

V378

V395

V412

V429

V362

V379

V396

V413

V430

V363

V380

V397

V414

V431

V364

V381

V398

V415

V432

TH

Respiratory
Diarrhea or
other
Replacement digestive
heifers
Pinkeye
weaned but Lameness/
not yet
footrot
calved
Other
(specify)V357O

V387

TH

Cows

Respiratory
Diarrhea or
other
digestive
Pinkeye
Reproductive
(retained
placenta/
uterine
infection)
Mastitis
Abortion
Lameness/
footrot
Other
(specify)V364O

V392

TH

7. In general, do you treat calves 7 days and older with antibiotics
if they have diarrhea (scours)? .......................................................................... V433

1 Yes

3 No

8. In 2017, did you use chlortetracycline (CTC, aureomycin) for control
of anaplasmosis in cattle on your operation (excluding use by injection)? ..............

1 Yes

3 No

[If question 8 = No, SKIP to question 12.]

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

11

State/Operation #: _________________

9. During 2017, how was the chlortetracycline administered to cattle for control of
anaplasmosis on your operation?
a.

Free choice loose mineral .............................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

b.

Medicated mineral block ...............................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

c.

Mixed in feed .................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

d.

In cattle drinking water ..................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

e.

Other method (specify: ___________________________) .........................

1 Yes

3 No

10. How many months during 2017 was chlortetracycline administered to cattle via feed,
mineral, or drinking water for control of anaplasmosis? [Enter a number from 1 to 12.]

_____ #

11. What was the primary reason for using chlortetracycline for anaplasmosis
control on your operation during 2017? [Check one only.]
1 Recommended by veterinarian
2 Recommended by nutritionist
3 Anaplasmosis has been diagnosed in the past in cattle on this
operation (by lab testing or examination by veterinarian)
4 Anaplasmosis has been diagnosed in the past in other herds in the area
5 Recommended by supplier of antibiotics other than veterinarian (e.g., feed salesmen)
6 Other reason (specify: ______________________________)
12. How familiar are you with the meaning of a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship (VCPR)?
1 Have at least a basic understanding of what it means
2 Heard the name but do not know what it means
3 Never heard of it
13. In 2017, did you use the services of a veterinarian for cattle
on your operation? ....................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

[If question 13 = Yes, SKIP to question 15.]
14. Which of the following is the primary reason for not using a veterinarian in 2017?
[Check one only.]
1 Veterinarian was available in the local area but not knowledgeable about beef cattle
2 Veterinarian was not available in the local area
3 Too expensive
4 Not needed on this operation
5 Other (specify: _______________________________________)
[If question 14 was answered, SKIP to question 16.]
15. Was the primary veterinarian you used during 2017 a: [Check one only.]
1 Full-time veterinarian on staff?
2 Private veterinarian who made regular or routine visits?
3 Private veterinarian you called as needed?

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

12

State/Operation #: _________________

[Please read text below to respondent prior to asking Question 16]
The FDA definition of a “valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship” (VCPR) is described below.
States can have their own definition of a VCPR as well.
1. A veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgements
regarding the health of (an) animal(s) and the need for medical treatment,
and the client (the owner of the animal or animals or other caretaker) has agreed
to follow the instructions of the veterinarian;
2. There is sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) by the veterinarian to initiate at least
a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s), and;
3. The practicing veterinarian is readily available for followup in case of adverse
reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy. Such a relationship can exist only when
the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping
and care of the animal(s) by virtue of examination of the animal(s), and/or by
medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal(s) are kept.
16. Do you have a VCPR with your veterinarian for cattle on this operation? ...............1 Yes 2 DK 3 No
[If question 16 = No or don’t know, SKIP to question 18.]
17. How would you describe your VCPR with your veterinarian?
[Check one only.]
1 A written document signed by my veterinarian and me
2 A verbal agreement between my veterinarian and me
3 My veterinarian has not formally mentioned a VCPR but I consider that I have
one based on his relationship with my operation

Code List C3—Question 18
1 – Infrequently (less than every three
3 – Once a year
years)
2 – Occasionally (less than once a year
4 – More than once a year
but at least every three years)
18. Have you ever dewormed the cattle classes in table below, and if so, how often do you deworm?
Column A

Column B
If Column A = Yes

Cattle class
Unweaned calves?
Replacement heifers weaned
but not yet calved?
Weaned stocker calves?
Cows?

Ever dewormed these
cattle?
1 Yes 3 No

Frequency of deworming
(from List C3)

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No
1 Yes 2 NA 3 No
1 Yes

3 No

[If ALL animal classes in question 18 Column A = No or NA, or if ALL of the Frequency codes in
Column B = 1, SKIP to question 23.]

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

13

State/Operation #: _________________

19. Which of the following do you primarily use to decide when to treat your
cattle for internal parasites (worms)? [Check one only.]
1 When the cattle look rough
2 Fecal consistency (diarrhea)
3 On a regular schedule
4 Based on fecal tests
5 Other (specify: _____________________________________V438OTH)

V438

20. Have you used the following products to treat cattle for internal parasites
in the last 3 years? [For help categorizing specific products into anthelmintic class,
see Guide 4 (Anthelmintic Reference Card).]
a. Avermectins (Ivomec®--ivermectin, Cydectin®--moxidectin)? .................... V439

1 Yes

3 No

b. Benzimidazoles (Valbazen®--albendazole, Panacur®--fenbendazole)?..... V440

1 Yes

3 No

c.

1 Yes

3 No

1 Yes

3 No

e. Tetrahydropyrimidines (Rumatel®--morantel)? ........................................... V443

1 Yes

3 No

f.

1 Yes

3 No

Imidazothiazoles (Levasole®--levamisole)? ................................................ V441

d. Benzenesulphonamides (Curatrem®--clorsulon, Ivomec Plus®--clorsulon)?V442
Other (specify_____________________) .........................................................

Code List C4—Question 21
1 – Not important
2 – Slightly important

3 – Important
4 – Very important

21. How important are each of the following as sources of
deworming information for this operation?
Code

(from List C4)
a. Veterinarian ..............................................................................................................

_____

b. Other producers .......................................................................................................

_____

c.

Sales representative ................................................................................................

_____

d. Extension/university personnel ................................................................................

_____

e. Magazines/journals (articles and/or ads) .................................................................

_____

f.

Internet .....................................................................................................................

_____

g. Other source (specify: ________V456OTH ...................................................................

_____

22. Are you doing any of the following to prolong or improve the efficacy
of the dewormers you use?
a. Rotating dewormer type ............................................................................... V460

1 Yes

3 No

b. Monitoring effectiveness by laboratory testing ............................................. V461

1 Yes

3 No

c.

Deworming more often ................................................................................. V462

1 Yes

3 No

d. Deworming less often................................................................................... V463

1 Yes

3 No

e. Targeted deworming of certain classes of cattle (weight/age)...........................

1 Yes

3 No

f.

1 Yes

3 No

Other (specify: ________________________________V464OTH) ................. V464

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

14

State/Operation #: _________________

23. In 2017, did you use a pour-on product for fly and/or lice control? ........................ V480

24. My next questions are about cattle and calves that died or were lost.
During 2017, of the (section A, question 2a) beef calves born alive, how many
died or were lost prior to weaning from all causes? [Exclude calves born dead
(section A, question 2b) and abortions. “Were lost” can refer to instances such as
cattle being stolen or cattle that were likely killed by a predator but the remains
were not found.] .................................................................................................. V481

1 Yes

3 No

_____ head

[If question 24 = Zero, SKIP to question 25.]
a.

How many of these (question 24) unweaned calves died or were lost:
(i) 24 hours or less after birth? .................................................................. V482

_____ head

(ii) More than 24 hours but less than 3 weeks after birth? ......................... V483

_____ head

(iii) 3 weeks or more after birth, but before weaning? ................................. V484

_____ head

(iv) Add questions 24a(i), 24a(ii), and 24a(iii). Total should equal Item 24 .V485

= _____ head

25. During 2017, how many beef breeding cattle, weaned or older
(replacement heifers, cows, and bulls), died or were lost from all causes? ...... V486

_____ head

[If both questions 24 and 25 = Zero, SKIP to question 27.]

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

15

State/Operation #: _________________

26. How many of the deaths or losses of (question 24) unweaned calves and/or
(question 25) beef breeding cattle in 2017 resulted primarily from the following causes?
Unweaned Beef Calves
Less than
3 weeks old

Cause

Beef
breeding
cattle

3 weeks
and older

a. Digestive problems (bloat, scours,
parasites, enterotoxemia, acidosis, etc.)

V487

V500

V513

b. Respiratory problems (pneumonia,
shipping fever, etc.)

V488

V501

V514

c. Metabolic problems (milk fever, grass
tetany, etc.)

V489

V502

V515

d. Mastitis (cows only)

V516

e. Lameness or injury

V490

V503

V517

f. Calving-related/birth-related problems

V491

V504

V518

V492

V505

V519

h. Weather-related causes (lightning,
drowning, chilling, etc.)

V493

V506

V520

i. Poisoning (nitrates, noxious feeds,
noxious weeds, etc.)

V494

V507

V521

j. Predators (known or unknown)

V495

V508

V522

k. Theft (stolen)

V496

V509

V523

l. Other known causes (old age, etc.)
V497OTH)
(specify:

V497

V510

V524

Unknown causes

V498

V511

V525

m. [Sum column for each age group of
unweaned beef calves.]

V499

V512

g. Other known diseases
(specify:

V492OTH

n. Verify total [should equal question 24 or
25]

)

Add sum cells in row above to get
total for unweaned calves:

V526

27. Did you bring any new cattle onto this operation in the last 3 years? .................... V540

V527

1 Yes

3 No

[If question 27 = No, SKIP to section D.]
28. Before bringing cattle onto this operation in the last 3 years, did you
normally require vaccination of the animals for:
a. Brucellosis? [If only bulls brought on, check NA.] ............................... V541

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

b. BVD (bovine viral diarrhea)? ........................................................................ V542

1 Yes

c.

IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis)? ....................................................... V543

1 Yes 3 No

d. Leptospirosis? .............................................................................................. V544

1 Yes 3 No

e. Trichomoniasis (trich) .........................................................................................

1 Yes 3 No

f.

1 Yes 3 No

Anything else? (specify: _____________________________V545OTH) ......... V545

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

3 No

16

State/Operation #: _________________

29. Before bringing cattle onto the operation in the last 3 years, did
you normally require tests for:
a. Brucellosis for animals 2 years of age or older?
[If only cattle less than 2 years brought on, check NA.] ...................... V546

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

b. Johne’s disease (M. paratuberculosis)? .......................................................... V547

1 Yes 3 No

c.

BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) (persistently infected)? ........................................ V548

1 Yes 3 No

d. TB (bovine tuberculosis)? ................................................................................ V549

1 Yes 3 No

e. Trichomoniasis (trich) ............................................................................................

1 Yes 3 No

f.

1 Yes 3 No

Anything else? (specify: _________________________V550OTH) ..................... V550

30. Before bringing weaned calves (stockers or replacement heifers)
and/or cows onto the operation during the previous 3 years, did you normally require:
[If animals not brought on, check NA.]
Weaned calves

Cows

a. Testing for internal parasites (worms)?

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

V551/V553

b. Treatment for internal parasites
(worms)?

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

1 Yes 2 NA 3 No

V552/V554

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

17

State/Operation #: _________________

Section D—Nutrition Management
1. The next questions are about nutrition and health management.
Does this operation usually calculate a balanced ration using
either published feed values (“book values”) or results of
feed analyses? ............................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

2. Is the balanced ration based on both the animals’ requirements
and the quality of feedstuffs available? .............................................................

1 Yes

3 No

3. In the past 5 years, did this operation submit samples of any
feed to a laboratory for nutritional analysis? [Include purchased
and raised feed.] ................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

[If question 1 = No, SKIP to question 3.]

4. Were the following mineral and/or salt supplements fed to your cows
during fall/winter (October 2017 through March 2018)? If fed, was the
supplement fed as a block or loose?
Fed
Fall/winter

Form
Block Loose

a. Salt (plain or iodized) .................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

b. Trace mineral salt .......................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

c.

Complete mineral .......................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

d. High magnesium mineral ...........................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

5. Were the following mineral and/or salt supplements fed to your cows
during spring/summer (April 2017 through September 2017)? If fed, was
the supplement fed as a block or loose?
Fed
Spring/summer

Form
Block Loose

a. Salt (plain or iodized) .................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

b. Trace mineral salt .......................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

c.

Complete mineral .......................................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

d. High magnesium mineral ...........................................

1 Yes

3 No

1

2

6. How many pounds or tons of mineral/salt were fed
to your cow herd in 2017? .......................................................................

_____
pounds

or

_____
tons

7. During the last 5 years, have any of the following minerals been identified
as deficient or causing health or reproductive problems in the herd?
a. Phosphorus .................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

b. Magnesium ..................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

c.

Cobalt ..........................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

d. Copper.........................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

e. Iodine...........................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

f.

Manganese .................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

g. Selenium .....................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

h. Zinc..............................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

18

State/Operation #: _________________

8. In 2017, did you use the following to treat or prevent mineralassociated health or reproductive problems?
a. Mineral mix ..................................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

b. Supplemental feed ......................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

c.

1 Yes

3 No

Injections .....................................................................................................

Code List D1—Question 9
1 – Less than 30 percent
2 – 30 to 60 percent

3 – Greater than 60 percent

9. During 2017, did this cow herd have access to pasture during the following
Months? If so, select a code from the box above that best describes
the approximate percentage of the complete diet that pasture comprised.

a. January..............................................................................

1 Yes

Code
(from List D1)
3 No
_____

b. March ................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

_____

c.

May....................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

_____

d. July ....................................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

_____

e. September .........................................................................

1 Yes

3 No

_____

f.

1 Yes

3 No

_____

November ..........................................................................

10. During 2017, did this operation make use of crop residue/aftermath
as a feed source (e.g., allowing cows to feed on cornstalk residue)? .....

1 Yes

3 No

a. If Yes, what type? _________________________________
11. During 2017, how many pounds per head per day of the listed
feedstuffs were fed to this cow herd? [Remind operator to answer
in pounds per head per day as fed. Convert to this unit as needed.]
Jan.

Mar.

May

Jul.

Sep.

Nov.

a. Hay

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

b. Silage

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

c.

Protein supplement

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

d. Energy supplement

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

12. Did this operation consult an animal nutritionist
during 2017? .....................................................................................................

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

1 Yes

3 No

19

State/Operation #: _________________

Code List D2—Question 13
1 – Not important

3 – Important

2 – Slightly important

4 – Very important

13. How important are each of the following sources of
nutritional information for this operation?
Code
(From list D2)
a. Private nutritionist.....................................................................................................

_____

b. Feed salesman or feed retailer ................................................................................

_____

c.

BQA manual or online modules ...............................................................................

_____

d. Extension agent .......................................................................................................

_____

e. Veterinarian ..............................................................................................................

_____

f.

Friend or neighbor or other producers .....................................................................

_____

g. Producer magazine in print or online .......................................................................

_____

h. Personal knowledge/education ................................................................................

_____

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

20

State/Operation #: _________________

Section E—Opinions on Significance of Health Problems
1. Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree, or have no opinion that the
following specific health problems had a significant economic impact on
your operation during 2017? Include the cost of prevention, cost of treatment, and lost production
in the economic impact.
[Data Collector: To begin, say, “Internal parasites had a significant economic impact
on this cow/calf operation during 2017.”]

Health Problem

Strongly
agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly
disagree

No opinion

PARASITES
a. Internal parasites
b. External parasites (flies, lice,
ticks, grubs)
DIGESTIVE
c. Calf scours
d. Bloat/colic/ulcers
(abomasal/stomach)
e. Coccidiosis

V558
V559

V560
V561
V562

REPRODUCTIVE
f. Open/late calvers

V563

g. Abortion

V564

h. Weak calves

V565

RESPIRATORY
i. Calf pneumonia/shipping fever

V566

j. Cow asthma

V567

PLANT-RELATED
k. Plant-related toxicities

V568

OTHER
l. Pinkeye

V569

m. Footrot
n. White muscle disease
(selenium/vitamin E deficiency)
o. Copper deficiency

V570

p. Anaplasma

V573

q. Grass tetany

V574

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

V571
V572

21

State/Operation #: _________________

2. Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree, or have no opinion whether the
health issues listed below are a significant problem for the beef industry?
[Data Collector: To begin, say, “Tuberculosis is a significant problem for the U.S. beef
cattle industry.”]

Strongly
agree

Health issue

Agree

Disagree

Strongly
disagree

No
opinion/
unfamiliar
with
disease

a. Tuberculosis

V575

b. Brucellosis

V576

c. Tritrichomonas infection (trich)

V577

d. Johne’s disease (paratuberculosis)

V578

e. BLV (bovine leukosis virus) infection

V579

f. BVD (bovine viral diarrhea)

V580

g. Anaplasma infection

V581

h. Neospora infection

V582

i. Bluetongue
j. Internal parasites (worms)

V583

k. Resistance to anthelmintics
(dewormers)

V584

3. Do you agree, disagree, or have no opinion with the following statement [check one only]:
Agree

“The United States is well prepared
to handle outbreaks of livestock
disease currently not found in this
country, such as foot-and-mouth
disease.”

Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

Disagree

No opinion

V585

22

State/Operation #: _________________

Office Use Only
State FIPS:__________
2-digits

Operation #:_________
4-digits

Interviewer:___________ Date: ___________
Initials
(mm/dd/yy)

1. Total time for interview (include time to discuss the program and complete the
questionnaire). If more than one data collector present, enter the combined time .........

_____ min

VITIME

2. Total travel time (round trip). If more than one data collector present,
enter the combined time. .................................................................................................

_____ min

VTTIME

3. Data collector(s): [Enter the number for each category.]
____ Federal VMO

____ Federal AHT

____ State personnel

____ Other (specify)

4. Enter response code 99 if questionnaire is completed or enter
one code of 00-07 that best describes the reason why the owner
is not participating ...........................................................................................................
99 = Survey completed
00 = Inaccessible after five contact attempts
01 = Poor time of year or no time
02 = Does not want anyone on operation
03 = Bad experience with government veterinarians
04 = Does not want to do another survey or divulge
information
05 = Told NASS they did not want to be contacted
06 = Ineligible (no beef cows)
07 = Other reason (explain below)

Date
(mm/dd)

VVMO/VAHT/VST/VOTH

_____ code

VRCO

Contact attempt history
Time
Action
Outcome
(am/pm)

1/22

4:30 pm

Phone call

Left msg on machine

CDATE

CTIME

CACTION

COUTCOME

5. Which of the following best describes the respondent’s position
with this operation? ...............................................................................................

_____ code

VCONS

1 = Owner
2 = Manager
3 = Family member (other than owner or manager)
4 = Other hired employee
5 = Other (specify: _______________________________)VPOSOTH

6. Producer data quality ..................................................

1 Good to excellent

7. Did the respondent use written or computerized records to assist in
answering this survey? .............................................................................................

2 OK

1 Yes

3 Poor

VPDQ

3 No

Comments regarding this questionnaire or operation:

VMO or AHT Signature:___________________________________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY THE COORDINATOR:
Field data quality .....................................................................
Beef 2017 VS Questionnaire

1 Good to Excellent

2 OK

3 Poor
23

VFDQ