Feedlot Health 2021 Study Launch

United States Department of Agriculture

NAHMS Health Management on U.S. Feedlots 2021
Study Launch

From March through August 2021, the USDA’s National
Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in
collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics
Service, will conduct a national study focusing on cattle
health and management on U.S. feedlots with at least
50 head. The NAHMS Health Management on U.S.
Feedlots, 2021 study is designed to provide a snapshot of
current feedlot cattle health management practices. The
information collected will also allow for the analysis of
trends in specific topics related to cattle health, based on
previous NAHMS feedlot studies.

Background
NAHMS collects scientifically accurate data for U.S.
livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries on a rotating
basis. NAHMS studies are voluntary and confidential.
For this feedlot study, priority issues facing the industry
regarding cattle health were identified via responses to
a needs assessment questionnaire and from discussions
with representatives from various segments of the
feedlot industry, including producer associations, feedlot
veterinarians, and university and extension experts.

Study Objectives
The NAHMS Health Management on U.S. Feedlots, 2021
study is designed to provide stakeholders with valuable
information about the U.S. feedlot industry. This study will

■ Describe health management practices on
U.S. feedlots with 50 or more head,
■ Estimate the prevalence of important feedlot
cattle diseases,
■ Describe antibiotic use and stewardship
practices on U.S feedlots, and
■ Describe trends in feedlot cattle health
management practices and important feedlot
cattle diseases.

Figure 1. States participating in the NAHMS
Health Management on U.S. Feedlots, 2021 study,
by feedlot capacity

“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association appreciates the
efforts of NAHMS to provide accurate and robust data for the
U.S. beef cattle industry that can be used to detail trends in
health management and antimicrobial use for feedyard cattle.”
Mary Ann Kniebel, Vice Chair of NCBA’s Cattle Health and
Well-Being Committee

“The NAHMS reports for Cow/Calf and Feedlot have for
decades provided solid, non-biased information to rancher
and feedlot managers to help them understand how their
colleagues in the beef industry manage cattle. From my long
history as a veterinarian serving beef producers, I ask you to
sincerely consider supporting the NAHMS survey efforts.”
Dee Griffin, DVM, Director, VERO (Veterinary Education,
Research & Outreach) Program, Texas A&M University College of
Veterinary Medicine
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Feedlot Capacity
Large (1,000+ head)
Small (50-999 head)
Large and Small

Study Activities
Participating in any NAHMS study is voluntary. If you are
selected to participate in the Health Management on U.S.
Feedlots, 2021 study and decide to do so, your answers will
statistically represent many other producers in your State.
Representatives from NASS will visit participating
operations from March through April 2021 to complete a
questionnaire. If participants choose to continue in the
study, USDA or State veterinary health professionals will
visit feedlots from June through August 2021 to complete a
second questionnaire.

Benefits to Participating
Reports published from this study will benefit the U.S.
feedlot industry by providing current and scientifically
valid estimates to
▪ Aid in understanding disease preparedness strengths
and vulnerabilities,
▪ Help policymakers and industry stakeholders make
informed decisions,
▪ Identify research and development needs on vital
issues related to feedlot cattle health,
▪ Enable economic analyses of the health and
productivity of the U.S. feedlot industry,
▪ Identify educational needs and opportunities related
to feedlot cattle health,
▪ Provide benchmark data on important feedlot
cattle health management practices to inform quality
assurance programs, and
▪ Provide transparent, credible, independent
information on U.S. feedlot industry practices that is
not collected by the industry itself.
NAHMS Feedlot Studies Have Impact!
■ The NAHMS Feedlot 1994 and 1999 studies helped
pioneer further research into injection sites, branding
locations, and cattle handling practices, which led to
data benchmarking for beef quality assurance programs.
■ The NAHMS Feedlot 1994 study provided the
industry's first look into the prevalence of E. coli
O157:H7 shedding by feedlot cattle.
■ The NAHMS Feedlot 2011 study provided data that
were used to inform an economic analysis focusing on the
market impacts of reducing the prevalence of bovine
respiratory disease in feedlot cattle.
■ Almost 1,500 scientific and industry publications
have referenced NAHMS feedlot data since 1990.

“NAHMS studies provide critical information for animal
science, veterinary science, and many other disciplines
involving teaching and research in beef feedlot production.
These data are used as a component of the Beef Checkoff’s
National Beef Quality Audit every 5 years, as well as a
plethora of other applied research efforts. We should all
support and advocate for contributing to this study!”
Keith Belk, Ph.D., Animal Sciences Department Head at
Colorado State University

“NAHMS provides us with a snapshot of how our industry
partners are operating their business and making decisions,
serving as a benchmark and gut-check for us in making
decisions on how to run our business. This helps us stay
open-minded and current in today’s practice of feeding cattle.”
Josh Szasz, DVM, Ph.D., Five Rivers Cattle Feeding

Scientific Approach
NAHMS was established to collect accurate and
valuable information on animal health and
management in the United States. NAHMS studies are
national in scope, science based, statistically valid,
collaborative, voluntary, and anonymous.

Confidentiality

For More Information
USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH
NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7
2150 Centre Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117
Phone: 970.494.7000
Email: [email protected]
Or visit NAHMS at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms
#791.1219
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service