This surveillance network would be a critical resource that could be readily accessed to provide very timely and efficient answers to a variety of emerging research questions. The network would collect vital baseline information on a variety of topics that are important to the national beef industry. These topics could include issues such as:

• Biosecurity practices
• Economics of production-limiting diseases
• Animal welfare practices
• Antibiotic use
• Herd nutrition and management                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The research will also utilize prevalence estimates and production parameters in economic models to measure the economic losses associated with various diseases in the Canadian cow-calf industry.