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Data tools help safeguard U.S. cattle herd from disease threats

Using data to help protect the U.S. cattle herd.

Susan Metzger, co-director of the Kansas State Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics, says artificial intelligence, machine learning and other sources cam help safeguard livestock from a foreign animal disease outbreak. “How do you make use of that data to better inform when you might need to isolate a portion of a  herd or if you see a threat throughout a larger portion of the supply chain that takes a larger effort of confining movement of confining cattle at that time.”

Savannah Greiner, an emergency management specialist for the National Ag Biosecurity Center, says using data can help improve planning and preparedness. “The more you spend on mitigation, the less you spend on recovery.”

Feedlot owner Tom Jones says the technology is worth the investment. “This is for the future of the business. If we’ve got this munch money – we’ve got $3,000 in a calf out there – we’re going to have to learn how to manage that differently and how to manage your money differently. Things are rapidly changing.”

Jones says it’s equally important to use experts to help improve the use of technology and how it can improve health.

The Animal Health Intelligence Summit brought together stakeholders from higher education, cattle producers, researchers and animal health experts to discuss emerging animal health threats and key issues shaping the cattle industry.

Susan Metzger:

Savannah Greiner: