Introduction
The USDA initiated the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) in 1983 to collect, analyze, and disseminate data on animal health, management, and productivity across the United States. NAHMS conducts national studies to gather data and generate descriptive statistics and compiles statistics and information from data collected by other industry sources.
Following the first study conducted by NAHMS, the 1991 National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project (NDHEP), a need was identified to provide assistance to NAHMS in interpreting and disseminating the information generated during the NDHEP. A working group of scientists from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and NAHMS was convened to assist in those endeavors. This working group (now called the Bovine Alliance on Management & Nutrition) has worked closely with NAHMS in reviewing survey results, providing technical expertise to assist in interpretation of NAHMS data, assisted in disseminating data by writing articles for popular press magazines, reviewing scientific articles, and writing BAMN guides.
BAMN guides are articles based on results generated by NAHMS surveys. The NAHMS data are used to identify key areas of management that require additional educational efforts. For example, in the 1991 NDHEP, the NAHMS data indicated that over 40% of newborn calves did not absorb sufficient immunoglobulin and were at increased risk of disease and death. This important concern was addressed by publication of the BAMN guide “A Guide to Colostrum and Colostrum Management in Dairy Calves”. Other BAMN guides have been written to address other important concerns from the NDHEP.
BAMN guides are currently available on-line at the NAHMS home page or in written form from the AFIA office. For information, contact AFIA, Dorann Towery, 1501 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209.