Our new catalog is in the process of developing. The following is our introductory statement. If someone needs a catalog, please let us know. We have an adequate supply of 2016 left to distribute.
Dear valued sheep and goat customers:
I have been involved with sheep and goats since 1948. I have been in practice 56 years, my practice years have always included sheep and goats. In my younger years one Friday I vaccinated 5,000 lambs for enterotoxaemia. I remember it was Friday because the owner was of a religion that their Sabbath started on Friday at sun down and we had fifty left and we finished them and his wife didn’t approve. During this time sheep numbers have continued to decline and goats in our local vicinity have grown in numbers. Time goes on, changes occur, some for the greater good and some not so good.
Recently I was asked to participate in a survey that asked what I considered were the top five health threats to the sheep industry. My answer I am sure was not exactly what they wanted but this is what my top two were. Failure of sheep and goat producers to be able to obtain veterinary service and secondly the new VFD regulations that don’t allow off label use. With no products available at therapeutic levels along with prescription designation of the sulfa drugs this is a huge burden on producers and their animals. Animal welfare is at stake and changes are in order.
The regulators talk about the judicious use of antibiotics, the diminished use has been occurring since I entered practice and has continued to improve without the government's help. We as a practice and I as a practicing veterinarian have always been careful to only use drugs and vaccines when indicated and with animal welfare in mind. A healthy animal is a profitable animal but overuse of drugs and vaccines needs to be avoided and costs money. It’s not the price you pay for the product that is important. What is important is the judicious use which implies using only those products if and when their needed to maintain the health and welfare of the animal. If more than standard use is required then management and housing need to be reviewed.
With pending VFD regulations and prescription changes there are VFD products that will not be available Jan 1. Sulfa products that have a long shelf life. Ionophores are not affected but Corrid is not drug of choice for clinical coccidiosis.
In the catalog we devote a page to those prescription products we feel are essential in modern sheep and goat production.
While we have enjoyed continued success and growth of our Shepherd’s Choice Lamb and Kid Milk we introduce a Shepherd’s Choice Kid Milk just for kids of which 40 tons were successfully used last year.
We will continue to provide memberships in the Pipestone Shepherds Club, this is one way to stay current and informed about modern day sheep and goat production.
Comments we have received have been very positive and we will continue to expand the program. New memberships are $80.00 annually and renewals are $60.00.
