You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve decided you want to produce cattle for the Chinese export market. But what’s next? According to Doug Stanton, vice president of sales and customer development with IMI Global, you need to talk to your packer. If you’re a cow-calf producer, you need to talk to your feeder.

Dr. Don Gardner raises about 700 dairy heifers a year at his Huddleston, Virginia, operation. The calves arrive straight from the farm between 300 and 400 pounds and stay until two months before calving. Herd health is of utmost important to the veterinarian and grower. He has implemented a strict vaccination protocol that begins before the animals ever arrive on his farm.

The FDA recently tightened regulations on some drugs used in food-producing animals. The Food Safety Inspection Service of the USDA has instituted new broader-based residue testing schemes. Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association has approved modifications to the Model Veterinary Practice Act involving the veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR).