Dairy producers are more likely to consult a veterinarian today about managing herd health than about treating one sick cow.
Those findings are contained in a study commissioned by Pfizer Animal Health and conducted by Ipsos Reid. It included five focus group sessions with farmers in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia in the summer of 2005.
Quebec dairy veterinarian Vincent Caldwell said the study supports what he has experienced in his practice in recent years.
“Dairy producers are gaining more and more independence from veterinarians as far as treatment and drug choices,” he said.
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He said the recent BSE outbreak has largely driven this trend, citing reduced margins and increased costs for dairy producers.
Culled cow sale prices are half or less of what they once were and replacement heifer markets have dried up in the United States. Farmers who once were paid for dead stock must now pay to dispose of them.
Return on investment has become increasingly important, in light of rising fuel and insurance costs and local taxes.
The study found producers are using more business-based decision making in their herd health management, factoring in labour and drug costs when deciding whether to treat or cull an animal.
Caldwell noted larger herd sizes, a trend in developing nations, is also a factor in the shift to herd health management.
Bill Swan, chair of the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, believes the shift to herd over individual cow management will yield long-term benefits.
“Hopefully with more regular vet visits for herd health reasons, we perhaps can avoid some of those problems that can arise,” said the Interlake dairy producer.
His biggest problem is access to veterinarians. The supply is shrinking with fewer interested in 24-7 large animal practices in rural Manitoba. Most prefer the more lucrative 9-5 Monday to Friday small animal practices in the cities.
Caldwell felt the changing relationship between veterinarians and farmers could help stabilize that exodus.
Veterinarians are now freed up from dealing with daily emergency calls to help add value to a livestock operation.
“More and more young veterinarians are happy to work in that context,” said Caldwell.
They can focus on establishing standardized protocols to help prevent disease and evaluate outcomes of treatments, helped by a host of computer software now available.
Despite farmers’ growing independence, the study found farmers still turn to veterinarians to find current information and research and learn how it might help their farms.
