Nutrition & Health

The focus of our health program is disease prevention by reducing stress and providing optimal conditions for animals to thrive. We have codified procedures to be followed in handling animals to insure this; and our geographical location, with its lack of inclement weather is also a substantial help in reducing physical stress. Since diet is also a principle factor in maintaining health, we also employ the services of one of the most prominent and experienced animal nutritionists in the United States, Dr. Jon Beckett.

However, in any large population, animal or human, there will be a certain incidence of illness. It is then that the experience of our employees comes into play, enabling them to identify animals that are showing a tendency to become ill, or in the very first stages of an illness, and to take appropriate steps to prevent the illness from advancing to a more critical stage.

Such animals are taken to a hospital area and, if it is determined that he needs medication, he is medicated according to the recommendations of our veterinarian, Dr. Jerry Biwer. All medication is administered in conformity with federal and state requirements and under no circumstances is extra-label use permitted. Every one working with the cattle is given instruction and training on the proper use and administration of medications. These instructions are further reinforced by yearly seminars and are periodically revised by our veterinarian.

All cattle must recover fully before returning to their “home pens” in order to avoid relapses and to prevent the hospital from becoming a vector for the spread of infections.

  • Jonathon Beckett
  • Dr. Jerry Biwer

  • Jonathon Beckett

    Jonathon Beckett originated in Wisconsin where he grew up on a cattle farm. He attended college studying Biochemistry at University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He received his M.S. degree in Animal Science, and Ph.D. in Endocrinology at UC Davis. After teaching at Middle Tennessee State University for 3 years, Jon returned to California to teach Animal Science at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He taught beef production, data analysis, nutrition and endocrinology from 1998 to 2007. He began conducting research trials on growth technologies in feedlot cattle, and this lead to interactions with the feedyards and packing plant in Imperial Valley. In 2007, Jon left Cal Poly to pursue a career as a livestock nutritionist, specializing in feedlot cattle. In his role as nutritionist, he is responsible for developing emerging technologies, growth enhancers, and agonist protocols. He currently oversees the nutrition for feedyards clients in California, Arizona, Texas, Idaho, Washington and Mexico. In addition, he is an adjunct faculty member at Texas Tech University, and participates in research projects on growth and development. He resides in Fallbrook, CA with his wife Debbie and 3 daughters.

  • Dr. Jerry Biwer

    Dr. Jerry Biwer is arguably the foremost veterinarian dealing with the health and maintenance of commercial cattle in the American South West. He is constantly involved with studies and trials to determine precisely what is beneficial or prejudicial to their performance and well-being, and in developing strategies to deal with the handling and medication of cattle within the environmental conditions of the desert South West. It is his genuine curiosity and sincere interest in the cattle-health that has made him not only popular, but sought after by many of the principal cattle-feeders in the United States.

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