| 113 nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services A year-round partner in herd management Karen Phelps Dairy farmers across the Rangitikei are increasingly calling on Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services (SRVS) not just in times of crisis but as a year-round partner in herd management, says one of the owners of Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services Kristina Dykes. “The trend reflects a growing recognition among farmers that getting the fundamentals right and getting them done properly pays dividends,” she says. The practice’s dry-off service is a prime example of this shift. SRVS runs a purpose-built teat sealing trailer that travels directly to farms, where heifers load via a ramp and receive sealant on board in a controlled, safe environment. Three full-time technicians carry out this work throughout the year, with the tech team growing to as many as ten during the busy dry-off period. For farmers, having a professional team manage the process means fewer post dry-off complications and greater peace of mind heading into the next season, says Kristina. A growing number of SRVS’s dairy clients are also enrolling in WelFarm, a nationwide herd health and welfare benchmarking programme developed by New Zealand dairy veterinarians. The SRVS team collects herd data throughout the season and enters it into the WelFarm portal, giving farmers a clear picture of how their operation compares to others regionally and nationally. Key indicators tracked include mastitis, lameness, reproduction, mortality, tail damage, drug use on farm and body condition score. “Farmers that are part of it really benefit from the data. It gives them an objective picture of how their herd is performing and where there is room to improve,” says Kristina. “Around half of SRVS’s farming clients have opted in and that number continues to grow.” The rise of on-farm wearable technology has opened up another avenue through which SRVS is adding value. It can log into whichever monitoring platform a farmer uses and analyse the data at key points in the season, translating the numbers into practical guidance. “There is a lot of technology out there these days and systems always produce a lot of data. We can assist by going through the data and interpreting it and spotting any issues. An example is post-calving The broader suite of dairy services the practice offers include reproductive management, pregnancy scanning, mastitis prevention, body condition scoring, trace element testing and full animal health planning. where if we see rumination isn’t ticking up to where it needs to be we can assist with feeding advice.” Parasite management is another area where demand is growing, particularly around health planning for young dairy weaners. With resistance becoming an increasing concern in this group, SRVS works with farmers to develop comprehensive plans covering feed, minerals and parasite control from the ground up. The broader suite of dairy services the practice offers, including reproductive management, pregnancy scanning, mastitis prevention, body condition scoring, trace element testing, and full animal health planning, means farmers can increasingly treat SRVS as a single point of contact for herd performance throughout the year. Operating from its headquarters in Bulls since 2000, and complemented by a new small animal clinic in Marton, SRVS has long been a fixture in the farming community. Although higher dairy prices have brought some welcome confidence back to the sector, Kristina says rising input costs mean farmers remain focused on return on investment. “Our history of working with local farmers over many years has resulted in strong client relationships built on trust and providing real value to our clients is central to everything we do.” Purchase a 5L of TURBO® or BOSS® Pour on and you‘ll receive a waterproof, breathable and ultra-quiet Huntech Wet Weather Jacket* . AAH-BOTU-2026-030 Alleva Animal Health Limited, 1/116a Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland. DMISorb®, TURBO® and BOSS® are registered trademarks of Alleva Animal Health Ltd. TURBO Pour-on (A011722) and BOSS Pour-On (A010817) are registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions. *Jacket may differ to image advertised. Available while stocks last. PROUDLY NZ OWNED Alleva are proud to support Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services Rain resistant for peace of mind when treating in variable conditions. Formulated using Alleva’s DMI-Sorb® formulation system to prevent run-off as well as enhance active-ingredient delivery and absorption. Reduce antibiotic usage by 22%
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