44 | RURAL SERVICES » Kaipara Farm Vets Relationship focused veterinary services The full range of large animal veterinary services is offered to farmers. Richard Loader In a farming region known for its integrational farms and smaller dairy cow herds, Kaipara Farm Vets has successfully built its practice around relationship focused veterinary services, offering tailored solutions along with clinical excellence. The practice was founded in Dargaville two and a half years ago by experienced large animal veterinarian Brian Lowe to support the district’s dairy and sheep and beef farmers with comprehensive veterinary services and to assist with broader on-farm compliance solutions, particularly in light of increasing compliance requirements. “While our practice is relatively new, it has grown exponentially, with the farmers really appreciating our service and commitment,” says Veterinarian Rory Dean. “Our market niche is focusing on our relationships, being honest and transparent, and providing that very personalised approach, which we’re very proud of.” Rory joined Brian as business partner in May of 2023, establishing a branch in Ruawai. The practice now extends throughout the large Kaipara district, with dairy farmers forming 80 percent of its customer base, and sheep and beef the balance. Supporting Rory and Brian are two other large animal vets, complemented with a number of experienced veterinary technicians. “We’re all very passionate about farm animal medicine and working with farmers to optimise results on farm.” The full range of large animal veterinary services is offered to farmers, with a real focus on proactive support to prevent as much disease as possible. Services include full ambulatory work, attending sick animals and providing a comprehensive after-hours emergency services, calving cows, and routine preventative work advising on nutrition and management of animals to optimise performance. “We’re trying to maintain animal health, rather than be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” explains Rory. “Our farmers typically have much smaller operations than other regions in New Zealand and we’re generally working with owner operators and family farms. We talk about the importance of the clinical work, but it’s as important, if not more important for us, that when our gumboots are washed up we can have a coffee with the farmer and talk animals, or talk local life. We’re really proud that we’re involved in the local community. We like to say that we have traditional values with a modern approach to veterinary medicine.” Rory says that like many Kiwi farmers, Kaipara Farm Vets’ farmers face real challenges with seasonality and increasing volatility within those seasons. “If it’s not heavy rain during winter, we often get heavy droughts in the summer. We believe our relationship approach is the best suited to help farmers through those challenging times. Compliance is increasing throughout the agricultural industry, and that can be very difficult for smaller operations. We become part of the team that helps them get through those compliance requirements. Reduce antibiotic usage by 22% Within 24 hours, Mastatest identifies the bacteria in mastitis milk and the most e ective drug to cure the infection Scan to watch Andrew’s full story video Evidence based vet medicines 0800 821 421 www.agrihealth.co.nz 22% reduction is based on AgriHealth Technical Bulletin 10.3 AHMASTA-NNR-KAIPARAVETS.08.24 “You would struggle to find a better ROI than Mastatest”. Andrew Lord, Waikato Farmer For example, shed inspections can be very unnerving for some of our clients. We can help them prepare for those inspections from an animal health perspective. We also endeavour to develop those programmes so that they are more than just compliance, with in-depth discussions about timing of animal health events on farm and what animal health solutions might suit that farmer. The idea is to tailor the solution to each client’s individual needs.”
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