Commentary
This time of year is busy, busy, busy on the farm and for large animal practice teams. So how can animal health pros make the best use of their time and still collaborate with producers to advance welfare practices, improve production outcomes and strengthen the veterinary-client relationships? Consider using Jason Warner’s article coupled with your knowledge of individual operations to identify two or more reasons to make contact proactively. (see dialogue example*)
Source: Drovers, November 2, 2026. Link. This helpful article from Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist Jason Warner summarizes the top 10 management practices for producers to check off their to-do lists in November.
Old man winter is headed our way…it’s never too early to prepare!”
*Example:
- Situation: DVM driving between on-farm calls or designated person in the clinic to make calls after sending article to producers identified as procrastinators.
- Communication by email or text: <producer name> we’re sharing Jason Warner’s recent checklist with select clients as we prepare for winter’s arrival <Link>. Let us know if you have questions or need support. <Clinic contact, Clinic name>
- Follow-up call: Hello <producer name,> this is <doctor name>. I’ve got some windshield time now and wanted to follow up on that Drovers article we sent out last <day of week>. <pause> I’m sure we haven’t done any body condition scoring on your cows or bulls recently and I am not seeing an appointment for preg-checking on the books. Let’s get together on a farm visit. We’ll take a look at your breeding stock, preg check cows and talk about your replacement heifers. I’d rather do it soon than get caught in a winter storm like we did two years ago.
- Note: this dialogue can work live or as voicemail.
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