FHMS advises clients on the optimal selection of:

• Cattle types that should be sought relative to price and marketing intentions
• Feed additives, vitamins, and minerals
• Pharmaceuticals for prophylactic and therapeutic protocols
• Equipment and tools for diagnostics, weight and measuring
• Consumables for day-to-day production

FHMS provides monitoring services and strategies in these key production areas: Animal Health Monitoring Our veterinarians travel daily to local production sites to ensure all health concerns are addressed and get a first-hand understanding of each situation. Distant producers also receive regularly scheduled visits, and further consultation is always available, either by telephone or on-site. FHMS continually monitors the health of all animals, using our advanced iFHMS software. At each production site, data is entered into chute-side computers and transferred to our office for analysis. We also provide digital necropsy services, especially for remote rural feedlots, enabling them to perform necropsy procedures on their own and send us a set of digital photo images from prescribed angles. These digital images allow our veterinarians to diagnose situations daily, which might not otherwise be possible for remote clients. Prophylactic and Therapeutic Strategies We provide detailed protocols for the use of antimicrobials, vaccines, implants, antiparasitics, anti-inflammatories, electrolytes and so on. Feeding Strategies FHMS offers recommendations on ration composition, feed delivery and processing methods for feed ingredients. Carcass Optimization Strategies The iFHMS program has several features that allow for individual animal management. These include implant analysis and "days on feed" before processing, so that the best possible carcass is produced, with respect to yield, quality and size. Environmental Strategies FHMS provides information on facility design, sprinklers, wind shelters, bedding, manure management, pharmaceutical waste disposal and interventions to combat odour and dust. Food Safety Strategies FHMS addresses residue avoidance, the management of cattle with chronic illness and methods of reducing employee exposure to enteric pathogens. Quality Control Procedures FHMS has developed standardized procedures for scale calibration, thermometer calibration usage/technique, monitoring of injection sites, implant evaluations, pen-checker evaluations and so forth.

FHMS advises beef producers on how they can better market their animals and services in areas such as: Marketing Cow/Calf Producers Calves to Feedlots FHMS aligns producers with feedlots that are interested in purchasing ranch-direct calves. Marketing Backgrounded Cattle to Feedlots FHMS helps backgrounders find customers for their feeder cattle. Marketing to Processors FHMS will help producers find the best market for slaughter animals, based on the historical distribution of carcass size, quality grade and yield grade that they produce and consideration of the type and availability of value based "grids" offered by processors. Marketing Services Provided by Beef Producers FHMS will help clients structure custom feeding arrangements for cows, stocker cattle, backgrounders and full-fed cattle. We also coordinate alliance programs and value-chain initiatives. Education FHMS provides a wide range of education and training, at our office and on-site. Courses are offered regularly and most are included as part of our complete consulting program. They include:

• Administering pharmaceuticals for crew and animal safety
• Training animal health personnel to detect illnesses
• iFHMS software training
• Workshops for animal health personnel
• Digital imaging to collect necropsy data

Specialized Reports Our clients can use our extensive infrastructure and help to generate reports for such diverse purposes as obtaining bank financing and providing information to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Certification FHMS and CCHMS have jointly developed Verus Audit Solutions. This program provides the training and guidance to help beef producers comply with provincial and federal initiatives such as the Alberta Beef On-Farm Food Safety (ABOFFS) program or private initiatives such as branded beef programs. Sourcing Industry and Technological Research If a client wants information on virtually any subject, FHMS has the resources to locate and provide all relevant material.