| 63 RURAL SERVICES » Cambridge Vet Services Vets keeping it local and personal Karen Phelps Long standing business Cambridge Vet Services is proud to be locally owned and operated and play an integral part in the community. Since its establishment in 1944 it has consistently served the Cambridge community with quality veterinary care and products. Director and farm animal veterinarian Bill Hancock says that a real point of difference is that the people who own Cambridge Vet Services work in the business. “It’s not a corporate set up. We run a very local and personal service. This means our clients speak to a real person, even when they call out of hours, and we know them, their farm and their animals,” he says. Managing the farm animal operations of the practice Bill is the go-to person for any issues. Another company shareholder Peter Briston also works in the farm animal division and he grew up on a farm so understands the needs of farmers well. Both offer special areas of expertise: Peter is DairyNZ accredited and has special interests in mastitis in the dairy cow (BTSCC grading investigations), reproductive (InCalf) analyses and condition scoring. Bill has special interests and extra training in mastitis control, lameness treatment/prevention and bull health. He also has experience in sheep practice. Julie Hetherington who has a keen interest in lame cows and is the team’s DairyNZ Healthy Hoof Provider joins them in the team. Cecilia van Velsen specialised in ruminant medicine during her studies and her special interests include lameness (Healthy Hoof provider) and every aspect of cattle medicine and surgery. She is currently doing her masters studies. Patrick Taylor has a passion for efficient production systems and preventive health management. Bill says the main concern for farmers at the moment is compliance and the team at Cambridge Vet Services is there to help. “We assist with animal health dairy company regulatory compliance, help farmers to maximise production and reduce costs,” says Bill. For example when Fonterra brought out the Co-Operative Difference Payment programme Cambridge Vet Services started to help farmers to comply so they could qualify for the extra payments, which has had a direct and positive impact on their bottom line. In addition healthy animals in general produce more, so Cambridge Vet Services ensures its customers’ animals are also in peak health through a planned programme and responsive emergency service if required. Lameness is another common issue on dairy farms and Cambridge Vet Services has team members trained in the DairyNZ Health Hoof programme. Other training includes staff qualified in condition scoring cows to help farmers with dry off plans etc Cambridge Vet Services also offers the Infovet software, which is designed to collect, analyse and review data of dairy farm clients to help plan and improve farm systems for the coming season. The information can be imported into the farmer’s MINDA system so they can view it online. Cambridge Vet Services offers a modern clinic and full range of animal health products and services. Other divisions include companion animal and equine services. The friendly team consists of five production animal veterinarians, six small animal veterinarians, six receptionists and office staff with six veterinary nurses. Bill says the team takes a proactive approach. “We meet with our farmers at least once a year to talk about their annual requirements and what’s happening on their farm. If we don’t hear from them then we contact them. It’s a proactive and personal approach to ensure they avoid animal health issues in the first place.” “We meet with our farmers at least once a year to talk about their annual requirements and what’s happening on their farm.” Company shareholder Peter Briston works in the farm animal division. Your farm animal health professionals. 41 Empire St, Cambridge - 24 Hour Service 0800 CAMVET (226 838) or 07 827 7099 www.cambridgevets.co.nz Our goal at Cambridge Vets is to assist our clients to maximise profit through optimal animal health. For both commercial farms and lifestyle blocks we can help with health plans, routine jobs and emergencies. We offer value through our experienced team with extensive knowledge in all areas of production animal medicine. Proud to support Cambridge Vet Services with professional accounting
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