Peter McCarthy oversees Henry Schein’s global animal health business. He shares perspectives about global commonalities, market shifts, alternative sources and corporatization. Source: Vet Advantage, July 2016, page 22. …the veterinarian running his/her practice has an increasing interest in what’s happening around the world, how consumers are looking after their animals … [Read more...]
Consumers dazed and confused by food labels
According to a national survey released recently by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, consumers don’t know the true meaning of phrases such as “free-range” and “grass-fed,” but their perceptions of the terms can have a major influence on animal agriculture and the practices used. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, July 13, 2016. The article … [Read more...]
Pet owners spend big on pest control
Research publisher Packaged Facts of Rockville, MD, recently published the study Pet Medications in the US, 4th Edition.. It analyzes the market for prescription and over-the-counter medications for dogs and cats with a particular focus on brand-name products and antiparasitics. Source: Pet Product News, July 2016, page 16. From and availability standpoint, the market for … [Read more...]
Online pet food sales: still in learning mode
Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, shares her insights on all things pet food, addressees market trends as well as news and developments in pet nutrition, food safety and other hot topics for the industry. Source: Petfood Industry, June 20, 2016. Considering that e-commerce is now a fixture for businesses and consumers, including with pet food, … [Read more...]
Nationwide tail docking ban coming soon
Gerard Kramer, DVM, University of Minnesota, discusses alternatives to tail docking. The National FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program is set to ban tail docking nationwide January 1, 2017. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 2016. Page 27. Dr. Kramer discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three alternatives to managing tail switches: … [Read more...]
Tales from the hood
An increasing number of clients are choosing to treat their pets that have been diagnosed with cancer. The safety of the health care team must be made a priority because of the potential health risks associated with the preparation and administration of antineoplastic drugs being used in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA Trends, June 2016. Chemotherapy safety is everyone’s … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo photo gallery
Networking, showcasing innovation and educating are the mainstays of the World Pork Expo. This year was no exception. This photo gallery offers a flavor of the festivities. You may see some folks you know. I did. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 10, 2016. World Pork Expo’s extensive trade show makes it easy to shop and compare new products and technologies for use on the … [Read more...]
AmerisourceBergen shapes health care delivery
AmerisourceBergen Corporation has redefined the role of the pharmaceutical wholesaler. The $2.5 billion acquisition of MWI Veterinary Supply is a good example of the company’s strategy. The reasoning for the MWI deal reflects AmerisourceBergen’s broader strategic vision, which puts a premium on new ideas, new expansion opportunities and new business alliances. Source: Chain … [Read more...]
Improve Compliance Messaging
For more years than I can count, compliance has ranked as one of the top challenges facing the veterinary industry. When I saw this article on resiliency I thought it could easily be retitled, “Five Ways to improve your Compliance Messaging.” But, this only applies if everyone from the front desk, to the technicians, to the practice managers, to the DVMs, to the owners, to the … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo kicks off next month
There is more to the World Pork Expo than hogs walking around a show ring. It is a destination worthy of consideration for any animal health professional, especially those working in swine markets. The show can help open your eyes to industry changes on the way. If you plan to be near Des Moines, Iowa, June 8 to 10, consider adding it to your plans. Source: National Hog … [Read more...]
The skill to make something happen
While industry and product knowledge is important to success, there is too much emphasis placed on being all-knowing in those areas. The skill to influence and produce a result is more critical. Yet, we spend hours developing a killer strategy and when it comes time to implement it we wing it. Then, we cannot understand why everyone isn’t buying our carefully crafted plan and … [Read more...]
Billboards attack at conventional food production
The Animal Health Digest team helps show animal health professionals information media presents to business-to-business business-to-consumer audiences. Some of this information is actionable. Some is more for your information. This article is one of the latter. Review it to determine how you may wish to respond within your own community. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April … [Read more...]
CEVA increases commitment to heartworm education
Ceva Animal Health is stepping up its commitment to the American Heartworm Society by becoming a Platinum sponsor along with Bayer, Elanco, Merial, Virbac and Zoetis. “This is an especially appropriate time for Ceva to show our support, as we believe the emphasis on the importance of fighting both heartworms and the vectors that carry them is more important than ever … [Read more...]
Story telling as a Sales Skill
Almost every sales expert will extol the virtues of storytelling in the sales process. But, not every story is effective. It must be relevant to the listener. (Answer the question “why should I care?” in your opening.) It must connect emotionally with the listener first, then analytically with a payoff that describes what the listener will have as a result of your … [Read more...]
Nudging your customers may backfire
Marketers and sales representatives will find this article interesting. Maintaining the right reminder frequency is challenging. This is especially true in the most competitive point-of-sale locations where message clarity is met with strong counter messages. Veterinary teams are often hesitant to communicate proactively with customers, let alone nudge them. Learning to balance … [Read more...]
Customers’ needs and perceptions changing
The impact of online marketing in the business-to-consumers arena now applies to the business-to-business world. Whether you've noticed or not, your customers' preferences, needs and perceptions are changing. They are looking for a different buying experience in 2016. It's time to adapt to their changing needs, wants and perceptions, says Bridget McCrea. This article signals … [Read more...]
Pest buster listing for cattle is good tool
This listing of parasite and pest management products is a good reference tool for veterinary teams, dealers and representatives. Most of these products’ labels and applicable MSDS sheets are available from the North American Compendium. Source: Beef, March 2016. 2016 Pest Buster Listing. … [Read more...]
Dairy Industry Trends
Leading dairy offer a look at the challenges of marketing to dairy producers. Read about their ideas on: Current Situation Outlook and competition Current Trends Technology Source: AgriMarketing, March 2016. Trends in the Dairy Industry, page 18. … [Read more...]
Welcome Tammy Platt
Please welcome Tammy Platt, PhD, as a contributing editor to the Animal Health Digest team. Formerly the equine program coordinator and assistant professor of animal science at Morehead State University, Platt brings extensive academic and industry expertise to the group. In addition to working as a veterinarian technician, Platt has experience in distribution, in-house … [Read more...]
Darned dermatophytes
Dermatophytosis is most frequently associated with the zoonotic ringworm infection. However, those circular areas of hair loss can signal more than just ringworm. These articles address the need for proper diagnosis and include a discussion about the origins of the infections. Source: DVM 360, March 2016, page M4. Three species of fungi most commonly cause dermatophytosis: … [Read more...]
What’s up with pet food?
The Global Pet Expo offers a look at what’s new, different or trendy. Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief, of Petfood Industry, shares what she experienced at the expo in this article. Topics include: innovation enhanced kibble freeze-dried, raw and baked pet foods and treats cat focus natural pet food and treat claims ingredient transparency Source: … [Read more...]
Younger generations like to learn from videos
See how Gen Z and millennials consume media in this infographic taken from the annual Acumen Report from Defy Media. "The results prove younger audiences' increasing appetite for video that's satisfying a diverse set of needs, and the importance of understanding preferences or risk being easily tuned out,” Andy Tu, Defy Media executive vice president of marketing, … [Read more...]
Give good phone
Phone etiquette is important, says Jeremy Keen, DVM. Presenting a relaxed, positive and service-minded personality regardless of how busy we are is critical to client satisfaction. The same goes for retail associates, dealers and telephone persons in distribution or manufacturer call centers. Any phone call we handle is the image of our company in that moment. Source: … [Read more...]
Editorial – Home delivery still growing
Articles about opportunities in the pet retail business often make me scratch my head. How can retailers get so excited and veterinary hospitals remain blasé’. For nearly 15 years, veterinarians have been offered opportunities to use various home delivery platforms to auto-fulfill standing prescriptions, brand diversity in large categories and specialty products. Yet, these … [Read more...]
Farm Journal Media acquires Vance Publishing
Farm Journal Media announced the acquisition of the agricultural assets of Vance Publishing last December. Publications from both companies with new looks and names are now hitting our mailboxes. Some magazine titles have closed. Details about the acquisition and the future of those titles are presented in this article. Source: AgriMarketing, January/February 2016. The … [Read more...]
Editorial – Engage customers. Grow business.
Companies in the business-to-business (B2B) sector engage just 29 percent of customers, according to Gallup. In other words, we’re letting 71 percent go astray. This article calls all of us in the channel of influence to act. It means we must spend more time and resources to understand customers’ perspectives. This is true for veterinary teams and retail associates, as well as … [Read more...]
Ensure equine dewormers are efficacious
According to the recent study, Efficacy of major anthelmintics for reduction of fecal shedding of strongyle-type eggs in horses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States published in Veterinary Parasitology odds are high that some commercially available dewormers – fenbendazole, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate – showed poor efficacy on the majority of farms … [Read more...]
Activate inactive clients
Learn how a free program from Partners for Health Pets (PHP) can help recover the ~50 percent of clients who become inactive in a three-year period. Source: AAHA NewStat, February 25, 2016. Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP), an alliance of 100+ veterinary associations, veterinary colleges, and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American … [Read more...]
Fly resistant cattle make for good discussions
Fly resistance is a heritable trait, say researchers. It’s often overlooked. Researchers continue to identify specific genes, but in the meantime selecting for bulls and cows that carry fewer flies can work. Source: Beef Magazine, February 25, 2016. Today, cattle breeding and selection focuses on many things, but heritability of fly resistance is often overlooked. “All the … [Read more...]
What statistical significance really means
Here's an excellent layman's explanation of what it means when analysts or scientists say that something is statistically significant. This article offers detailed descriptions of the three components of significance: mean difference, variance and sample size. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 16, 2016. When you run an experiment or analyze data, you want to know if … [Read more...]