The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) asks their members to participate in USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) beef industry cow-calf study in 2017. In order to craft the most informative survey possible, and to derive data that will be most beneficial to the cattle industry, NAHMS is asking producers to take a preliminary survey by answering 10 short questions to aid in determining the larger cow-calf study objectives.

The USDA initiated NAHMS in 1983 to collect, analyze, and disseminate information on animal health, management, and productivity across the United States. The NAHMS team conducts national studies on the health and health management of United States domestic livestock and poultry populations. These studies are designed to meet the information needs of the industries associated with these commodities, as identified by people within those industries.

The beef industry cow-calf study will initiate data collection late next year (2017). This will be the 4th time NAHMS will study the cow-calf segment of the beef industry. The cow-calf study will involve producers in 20+ states representing more than 70% of the beef cows and beef cow operations in the U.S. The study will involve personal interviews with producers to ask about health and management of their cattle. The data from the study are only reported in summary form, individual responses are confidential.