A significant advancement in cattle health management is on the horizon with the introduction of the Certified Sampler program, developed by Production Animal Consultation (PAC).
This program is designed to train feedlot personnel on techniques for obtaining proper samples, ensuring accurate diagnosis and improving the overall health, performance, and profitability of cattle.
The Certified Sampler program is a comprehensive, day-long training session conducted at participating feedlots.
It combines classroom education with bilingual video demonstrations, followed by practical hands-on training in the processing barn and during necropsy sessions, all led by PAC veterinarians and trainers.
The morning session covers antemortem sample collection, such as nasal swabs, blood samples, and ear notches for disease surveillance.
The afternoon session delves into necropsy techniques, gross pathology common to feedlot cattle, and tissue sampling.
The training concludes with instruction on proper sample preparation and safe transportation to diagnostic laboratories.
Dr. Taw Fredrickson emphasizes the program’s impact: “Implementation of this program gives timely and precise health assessments which will advance our disease management strategies and elevate our animal health in the short term. In the long term, the PAC group is able to provide the most current recommendations and advancements which reflect our commitment to industry leading practices and sustainable livestock management.”
Francisco Rodriguez, manager at High Choice Feeders Yard 2 and program participant, adds, “This program will help our team detect early disease, so we are better prepared to help our customers achieve better cattle performance. By detecting disease sooner, we ensure healthier cattle and sustainable practices within our facilities.”
The Certified Sampler program is inspired by a similar initiative in the swine industry.
The Certified Swine Sample Collector project, initiated by Iowa State University, trains on-site personnel to sample during foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks.
This approach ensures timely sample collection without requiring external personnel to enter potentially contaminated sites.
While PAC’s program for beef cattle could also support Secure Beef FAD sampling, its primary focus is on diagnosing common diseases affecting feedlot cattle daily.
The program is a collaborative effort with the veterinary diagnostic laboratories at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University.
Dr. Dustin Loy, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Veterinary Diagnostic Center, highlights the importance of timely sample collection: “One of the largest challenges in cattle diagnostics is the timely collection of proper samples to be submitted to a laboratory for testing. Having highly-trained personnel that are already heavily engaged with animal health collect and submit those samples immediately allows for more prompt treatment and informed implementation of mitigation measures. Early identification and rapid response to diseases are key to ensuring healthy cattle.”
PAC’s extensive feedlot database, which has tracked animal health and performance for over two decades, will be instrumental in this initiative.
By correlating surveillance and diagnostic samples with individual cattle and lot-level data, PAC aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of disease impacts and identify potential disease management interventions.
One such future intervention could involve the use of prescription vaccines. Medgene, a vaccine company based in Brookings, SD, is a natural partner for this initiative.
Medgene’s technology enables the development of prescription vaccines tailored to current field strains of pathogens.
Dr. Gary Bosch, Medgene’s Executive Vice President, notes, “We are pleased with our partnership with PAC and excited to support their industry-leading Certified Sampler program. Bioinformatics represent the engine in our prescription platform vaccine technology. Certified Sampler represents the fuel to ensure that the vaccines we provide to the veterinary community are timely and relevant, as opposed to vaccines based on viruses that occurred years ago that have long since mutated beyond effective treatments.”
The partnership between PAC, veterinary diagnosticians, feedlot operators, and Medgene is already yielding results.
Samples from certified samplers in feedlots across Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Iowa are flowing into regional diagnostic laboratories.
Over the next five years, this initiative will enhance understanding of pathogen impacts and improve cattle health, performance, and profitability.
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