National Animal Health Monitoring System Prepares for National Study

The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is preparing for its 4th national study of the cow-calf segment of the beef industry.  NAHMS is an APHIS program that collects information on health and management of the nation’s livestock and poultry populations. NAHMS is currently soliciting stakeholder input regarding the highest priority issues for the cow-calf segment of the beef industry to set the objectives for the upcoming study. The Beef 2017 study will begin data collection in late 2017 and continues into 2018. Producers will be randomly selected to enroll in 20+ states. Data will be collected through personal interviews guided by questionnaires. Individual producer data are not disclosed and are only reported in summary form.

To prepare for the upcoming study, the NAHMS Beef 2017 Study Needs Assessment Survey has been created as a web-based survey and was established to gather input for the study objectives.  Please provide your input and share this survey with others in the beef industry. This 10 question survey is meant to help identify and prioritize key issues that could be addressed by 2017 study. The survey must be completed by May 6.

Reports from previous cow-calf studies and studies of other segments of the beef industry and other production systems are located on the NAHMS web site.

Contact Dr. David A. Dargatz, Epidemiologist, USDA-APHIS, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, 2150 Center Ave., Building B, Fort Collins, Colo. 80526; Telephone: 970-494-7231, for more information or questions.