Implementing pain management into your beef cattle practice

Abstract

Implementing pain management practices in typical production settings may present real and perceived challenges for US beef cattle practitioners. Convincing producers, and sometimes, fellow practitioners, that pain management strategies and practices may benefit cattle welfare and potentially contribute to health and/or performance benefits is not always an “easy sell”. Additionally, practitioners and clients may be concerned with the legality, cost, and feasibility of implementing strategies in typical beef cattle production environments. Provision of education and training, demonstration of their use in typical production settings, and communication of relevant guidance resources may empower interested beef cattle veterinarians to increase the use of pain management practices.