Selling feeder calves that carry a MERIAL(R) SUREHEALTH(TM) certification is a winning plan for cow-calf producers and feedlot managers.

During a November calf sale at the Bloomfield Livestock Market cow-calf producers received top dollar for their feeder calves at that sale barn's first pre-sorted SUREHEALTH auction. The 809 head of SUREHEALTH-certified cattle sold for nearly 30 percent higher average prices than steers and heifers selling for the Iowa mid-November average price, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The SUREHEALTH heifers and steers that sold ranged from 400 to 1,000 pounds.

The SUREHEALTH program was designed by veterinarians and Merial to help the industry capture economic benefits by improving animal health and well being through recommended health protocols. It certifies that animals are protected from parasites, have received proper vaccinations and other valuable components of animal husbandry.

Phil Schooley, manager of the Bloomfield Livestock Market, says he shares Merial's vision for improving the quality and consistency of beef through healthier cattle.

"We teamed up with Merial because the SUREHEALTH program gives producers a better product to merchandise," Schooley says. "And when the buyers purchase SUREHEALTH calves, they know they're getting uniform, healthy feeder cattle that have received good management practices.

By purchasing SUREHEALTH cattle, feedyards can lower arrival-processing costs. In fact, because the cattle will have already received their immunizations, feedlots can follow their normal arrival treatment regimes and mainly focus on getting the cattle on feed quickly."

The SUREHEALTH program targets internal and external parasites, respiratory infections, reproductive diseases and clostridial diseases. It also requires producers to dehorn and castrate; wean; and get calves adjusted to feed bunks and water tanks. The SUREHEALTH certification assures buyers they're getting cattle that have been preconditioned through a solid set of health management practices.

A participating veterinarian documents all the SUREHEALTH steps. Then, Merial issues the producer a certificate signifying his or her preconditioned cattle. At auction markets, the SUREHEALTH designation identifies the health status of individual calves with a veterinarian's certification.

Dr. David Rassmusen, veterinarian from Clearview Animal Hospital, Bloomfield, Iowa, says requiring two sets of immunizations is another great benefit of the SUREHEALTH program.

"Many times producers only give one set of vaccines and cattle acquire shipping fever en route to feedlots," Rassmusen says. "But, with the SUREHEALTH program, feeders don't have to worry about whether the preconditioning's been handled or not. They know their cattle will be healthy."

The Bloomfield Livestock Auction had its second SUREHEALTH cattle sale December 17th with comparable results to the first auction, selling 1,146 head of SUREHEALTH-certified steers and SUREHEALTH-certified heifers for higher prices, on average, than the month's Iowa average price. ©