One of the most important traits of a
good feedlot manager is the ability to assign blame. That is the reason
they often employ consulting vets and nutritionists. It keeps them from
having to fire regular employees.
Unfortunately
it also pits the vets against the nutritionist in their everlasting
battle to decide whether a problem is “nutritional” or “medical”.
The
feedlot manager sat across the desk from his nutritionist of the month
and his Vet de Jour. He spoke, “I’ve been looking at our death loss
records and we’ve had a lot of bloats this month.”
“Obviously nutritional,” interjected the vet who sat back relieved.
“Now
let’s not jump to conclusions.” said Super Nute. “I just read an
article in the Academy of Sciences Journal where they suspect an
increase in esophageal thickening in mastodons during the last ice age
which could lead to interference with normal rumen gas elimination thus
contributing to the increase in bloating. And you know it’s been a cool
autumn.”
“What!” said the vet.
Nute
continued, “And not only that, you are aware that sudden decreases in
atmospheric pressure may increase the gas pressure inside the rumen.
I’ve been keeping daily records of the barometric pressure which proves
my point,”
The manager wiped his eyes. “In addition we’re losing more weaners than normal to pneumonia this fall.”
“Obviously medical,” said the nutritionist, glad to be out of the hot seat.
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