CALF News Aug./Sept 2018

18 CALF News • August | September 2018 • www.calfnews.net CALF ANIMAL HEALTH Chuteside Manner EXPLORING THE FRONTIER OF ANIMAL HEALTH Outrunning the Avalanche By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor T hose of us past our prime, myself included, sometimes (sometimes aggressively) resist the avalanche of new technology that seems to smother every aspect of life. Let me explain the situation. The average age of farmers and ranchers in this country is 58 to 60, depending on your source of information. According to Cooper McKim of Wyoming public media, his February 2, 2018, report indicated that 63 percent of ranchers are on the verge of transitioning into retirement. Six percent of ranchers are under the age of 35. By contrast, those on whom we rely for professional services are far younger. The average age of a large animal veterinarian in the United States is 44 to 47, depend- ing on the source. Bankers carry a big stick, as we all know. They were harder to pin down in terms of age, but most sources leaned toward an average age of 43 to 44, some as low as 36. Jessica Grimes lives with her family in the South Dakota Badlands. Her experience with their cow-calf operation has prepared her well for a job with ViewTrak Technologies. Do you see where I’m going? Many of the important professionals whom cattle producers rely on grew up with cell phones in their hands. They are neither intimidated by nor resent- ful of new technology, having learned to embrace it from the cradle forward. This demographic will continue to increase at incredible speed. On the other hand, I prefer a pencil and paper, and I don’t think I’m alone. This discrepancy is what I discussed with Jessica Grimes, who manages Feedlot Solutions software for ViewTrak Technologies. Her perspective on demo- graphic issues put a whole new spin on why we must keep up with new, cutting- edge developments. Here’s the overwhelming common sense that came from Grimes; increas- ingly, when a veterinarian comes to your operation, he or she wants to see your pull and vaccination records. A nutritionist wants to see your detailed feed and intake records, as well. They are accustomed, as Millennials, to viewing an electronic print- out or information on their cell phones, provided at the speed of light. To their credit, these detailed records are accurate, fast and, once utilized, an irreplaceable asset to any operation. Businesses of any size are now tied securely to the need for information-at-a- moment. Establishing an easily accessible database, in the end, will help ensure that you retain a competent veterinarian or nutritionist. Let’s take this one step further.We all have to go to the bank. I know people who won’t do what their doctor orders, but when a banker gives a directive, it’s time to toe the line. There may be no one more important to impress with your business and technological skills than a banker, and there are plenty of computer programs available to help prepare and analyze your books. Take advantage of them! Let me clarify another point. I real- ize that feedlot operations are far more advanced in their use of technology than most commercial cow-calf operations, who are likely to remain small, family-run units with an average of 40 head; it’s the nature of the industry segment. Feeders run a more complex business model. What’s out there to use? Grimes lives in the western South Dakota Badlands on a cow-calf operation with her husband, Austin, and children Jace, 9, Owen, 8 and Elsie, 4. Married 14 years, her daily exposure to the fam- ily’s herd enables her to relate well to her customers’ needs. She’s employed by ViewTrak Technologies, a Canadian- based software company offering software including Feedlot Solutions, Auction Master for markets, and an additional program for order buyers. They offer, in partnership with AgSights, a cow-calf app that’s compatible with most breed asso- ciations, among other software products to complete the agricultural chain. For the purpose of this article, we will explore Feedlot Solutions as an example of what is available in new technology. The three levels offered under this feedlot