Larry Lindahl, feedyard manager, says to look at "housekeeping" in the processing barns and hospital pens as well. Look at how the setup facilitates the flow of cattle through the chute and how noise and other factors could add or minimize stress to your cattle. Be sure to ask about processing programs for different types of cattle (calves vs. yearlings) as well. You should also be prepared to give the manager a detailed history of the vaccination and implant programs your cattle have experienced.

Ask how frequently the cowboys or pen riders will look at your cattle, especially in the first 30 days when the cattle are adjusting to their new environment and sickness is more likely to hit. Some yards may pen "high-risk" cattle closer to the hospital pens for the first month or so.

Find out how many hospital pens are in the yard, how close they are to the most distant pens and whether cattle are driven or hauled to the hospital if they get pulled. Remember that less stress is better. Find a yard whose philosophy on treating cattle fits with your own.

Hospital pens might be outside, either shaded or not, or inside a covered barn. Look for cleanliness.

An example of a medicine bill. Eileen Bearden, office manager at Cactus Feedyard, says they keep meticulous records on a daily basis for both feed and medicine. They bill bi-monthly; some yards bill monthly. Be sure to ask how often you will be billed and look at a sample bill to make sure you understand what you're paying for.

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