Irecently had the pleasure of hosting our first in-person meetings for farmers since the outbreak of COVID-19. With great satisfaction I observed the animated conversations among our beef cattle clients. Gathering farmers in a group and engaging in discussion with them is, for me, one of the best parts of my job. I see the benefit of holding meetings for farmers as threefold: first, building community between farmers, and between vets and farmers; second, an opportunity to guide and inform those working on the frontline of animal welfare; and third, increasing job satisfaction and reward, both for myself and my clients.
Social engagement is important for all our wellbeing but perhaps particularly for farmers, who can be isolated and may struggle to operate technology and attend remote meetings. Time and again, when out on farm visits, I see the power of conversation, relationship and trust between farmer and vet. If I expect clients to trust me with their animals, their data, and their business, and communicate honestly with me, I must invest time in building and nurturing relationships with them.
Our clients face many changes in the near future — the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Incentive; the increasing use of electronic recording, including the Medicines Hub and EID; a growing emphasis on environmentally sustainable farming and reducing carbon footprint; a continued focus on both antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance; and future disease reduction and eradication goals as outlined in the Ruminant Health & Welfare priorities. With the foundation of a strong working relationship between vet and client, we can help prepare clients for these changes, walk with them through each step, and help them to connect with other farmers in similar situations.
We are very fortunate in our practice to have vets engaging with, and organising events for, livestock farmers from many different industries — poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep. As primarily a ruminant vet, I benefit from observing the approach of my colleagues to different species of farmed animals, and in particular noting the ways in which the poultry and pig sectors lead the way in many important issues — biosecurity, antimicrobial usage, vaccination, disease eradication and meticulous use of production data all spring to mind.
As promoters and protectors of animal welfare we need to take every opportunity to engage clients in discussions about identifying and treating disease; and, as health professionals, an awareness of the danger presented by antimicrobial resistance should motivate us towards widespread adoption of preventative health programmes. However, my experience of this is very much that the stick is more effective than the carrot. I am enormously grateful to our colleagues in industry, food processors and regulators who have led the way in insisting on, and regulating for, adherence to recognised standards of animal health and welfare. I refer to, among many others, compulsory membership of the National Johne's Management Plan for dairy farms, mandatory analgesia for calf and lamb procedures, an annual health plan and antibiotic review on beef and sheep farms, requirement for a BVD eradication plan and demonstration of appropriate medicines training. These have allowed interactions, conversations and the building of relationships that would not have otherwise occurred, and are a first step towards improved animal health and welfare. Clients who are resistant to what they perceive as over-regulation may be brought round by discussions with their vet or with other farmers. Peer to peer farmer conversation can be an excellent method of knowledge exchange and is often more effective than my own communications with the client: another benefit of holding meetings.
So next time a farmer invites you into the house for a cuppa, say yes and take the time to get to know them. Don't see it as wasted time but as time well spent, laying the groundwork for a working partnership.