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The Sheep and Beef Cattle Health Review Workbook has been produced by the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the Red Meat Profit Partnership, Massey University, Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) and Passion2Profit (a collaboration between DINZ and Ministry for Primary Industries) with the aim of identifying risks and ensuring that expenditure on animal health is targeted to optimise profitability.

Will Halliday, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Senior Advisor for Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, welcomes the resource and urges every sheep and beef farmer to make use of it to carry out a complete stocktake of their livestock performance and animal health programme.

He says animal health is a key driver of productivity and profitability on-farm. The Workbook covers everything from current performance and production data, animal health protocols, key performance indicators, risk assessment, disease management and cost benefit analysis, identifying opportunities and required actions. Available online, the Workbook is divided into three sections; Preparation and Performance Review, Risk Assessment and Disease Management Review and Actions – plan, do and review.

Will says the Workbook essentially helps farmers turn data into valuable information that can be used to underpin sound decision-making. The information generated is invaluable when it comes to communicating with vets, farm consultants and staff, particularly when undertaking recommended regular animal health planning carried out in conjunction with a vet.