COW-CALF PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT UPDATE - SETTING FEE SCHEDULES - HOW MUCH ARE VETERINARIANS WORTH TO BEEF-CATTLE OPERATIONS

Assessing the value of information provided by practitioners to beef c attle producers is the focus of this column. Historically, practitione rs have not charged for consultation and recommendations that they off er, only when a service is provided does the practitioner usually char ge a fee. Because information does have value, the ability to place a fee on this value is of importance for veterinarians who are becoming involved in production management programs on beef cattle operations. A lack of financial knowledge and lack of the skills for evaluating th e financial impact that they have on an operation have led to a reluct ance on the part of practitioners to charge for the information and re commendations provided to management. Methods are available to calcula te the financial impact of services, and these methods are described i n detail in this column. In addition, discussion of methods for chargi ng for services provided to beef cattle producers is presented.