I hope I'm not putting the cart before the horse when I say (I hope) that life may be entering a new ‘normal’ as we learn to live with COVID-19. BCVA Congress provided the first chance in 2 years to meet-up with university friends, make new acquaintances, have an opportunity for some face-to-face learning, and check the efficiency skills of the bar staff. I have to say that I breathed a little sigh of relief that the farm animal veterinary community at least has come through the pandemic with their humour and bonhomie intact. It made a refreshing change to some of the on-line forums, on which our profession can often be dragged down rather than celebrated. The livestock veterinary profession isn't perfect, but it's great to see so many females in leadership roles throughout the various societies, although we must keep progressing to ensure we are a diverse profession and realise the benefits this can bring to us all.
I have been reflecting on how the veterinary profession, as a whole and from a farm perspective, has fared over the past 2 years and is consequently now viewed post pandemic. Are our new graduates equipped to tackle with the pressures they'll face working with a more demanding clientel with the reduced opportunities they have to do EMS and gain on-farm experiences, and if not what support are we giving them if they want to pursue a career in large animal work? In this age of ‘everybody's an expert’ why are our voices on veterinary issues being drowned out by people lacking the facts and knowledge to justify their opinions? I surely can't be the only vet to have my judgement questioned by an alpaca owner sitting in another hemisphere. Why were vets seen as dispensable when milk buyers were recommending farmers cut their veterinary costs rather than that of their feed bills or farm advisers? Do the consumers trust the product we now offer as we appear to move to a 9 to 5 profession? I do wonder if we shout loud enough about the wide and varied skill sets we offer as a profession. Are we lacking belief as I don't see other professions reluctant to charge properly for their time?
There may not be a definitive answer to the questions posed but these are the questions that concern the large animal veterinary profession that are not being addressed. It is going to require some strong leadership by those who make decisions (and I wish them luck) to keep veterinary voices at the forefront of issues concerning animal welfare, and it would be great if we could present a united front. Sometimes the right decisions in the long term aren't the popular ones.
I am really pleased to say that this edition of UK–Vet Livestock does tackle issues on which we take the lead (the use of antibiotics), issues that just won't go away (yes, I do mean the never-ending cycle of sheep scab), and topics on which we need to take the lead if they are to ever go away (TB). Al Manning discusses the use of antimicrobials and how on-farm cultures can help us restrict their use in certain situations. Increased methods of affordable testing to help direct our therapies is essential as we promote the responsible use of antimicrobials… and I like that Al highlights the need to regularly review results with the herd veterinarian! Continuing that theme, Keith Cutler and co discuss TB testing and answer the sort of questions often posed to the vet by a farmer as you count the number of green tags. Having had 42 reactors on a farm last week it exemplified how farmers do look to us to help them out as they count the cost, and by that I include emotionally. Andrea Turner's article detailing abomasal ulcers maybe best surmises some of the issues I've mentioned. You can look at a problem and not know what is going on as the problem worsens; it is not until you take the plunge and look inside that you can make a diagnosis and progress can be made. The resolution tends to come about sooner, and even if the result is not what you like, it can save you money and focus your efforts elsewhere.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022. I hope the on-call gods are kind and that you spend it with those that you may have missed last year.