Insights From Dr. Samantha Beaty, Tennessee’s State Veterinarian

For this episode of TCA Talk, we feature our conversation with Dr. Samantha Beaty, the state veterinarian for Tennessee. Dr. Beaty will be one of the featured presenters at the upcoming Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Expo, which is taking place February 6-7 at the Williamson County Ag Center in Franklin, Tenn. Along with talking about what Dr. Beaty is looking forward to experiencing at this year’s TCA Convention, we ask Dr. Beaty to look back on her journey into veterinary medicine, highlighting her background in mixed animal practice and her appointment as state veterinarian in 2019.Dr. Beaty emphasizes the importance of animal health regulations and the role her office plays in maintaining the health of livestock and ensuring safe commerce in animal products. As you’ll hear, Dr. Beaty and her husband are cattle producers themselves. As Dr. Beaty notes, working with their family’s herd has helped in understanding the challenges faced by cattle producers today.In our expansive discussion on animal health, Dr. Beaty provides insights into best practices for herd health, emphasizing vaccination, nutrition, and regular monitoring. Recorded in mid-January, we talk about what Dr. Beaty sees on the horizon for the next six months related to cattle health, including her observations about the screw worm fly. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association and register for the TCA Convention, visit the organization’s website at TNCattle.org.