A review of the Vets on Farm Programme: supporting veterinarians and farmers following the 2023 North Island weather events in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Aims: To review the Vets on Farm (VoF) programme, provided to support veterinarians and farmers after New Zealand’s North Island weather events of early 2023, by interviewing participating veterinarians and farmers about their experiences with the programme, and to use their responses to develop recommendations to optimise support following future natural hazard events.

Methods: Within the VoF programme, veterinarians had conducted multiple on-farm visits to provide services (farm systems review, feed budgeting, disease management) and collect diagnostic samples.

Subsequently, between October 2024 and January 2025, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participating veterinarians and farmers. Interviews covered background information about the respondent, delivery of and services offered/received via VoF, effects and outcomes of VoF, support, and suggestions for future support programmes. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes, based on which recommendations were developed.

Results: Nine veterinarians and seven farmers from six regions in the North Island were interviewed. Themes were identified in relation to the following topics: benefits and challenges for veterinarians, benefits and challenges for farmers, programme design, and management. Benefits reported by veterinarians included improved relationships with farmer clients, better knowledge of their needs, opportunities to offer clients an expanded range of resources, and satisfaction at being able to help. Challenges included increased demands on time and workload, lack of guidance on selection of participating farmers, and ending the programme without appearing to abruptly withdraw support. Benefits for farmers included strong engagement with their veterinarian, relevant and timely advice on farm management, information from diagnostic test results, and social support. Challenges included workload, stress, and some mismatches between farmer needs and the services available. The general principle of the VoF support was well received.

Conclusions: The in-depth interviews provided rich information and a high level of agreement between veterinarians and farmers. The framework of VoF, including its templates, systems, resourcing and communications, may provide a valuable resource basis for future programmes; however, greater flexibility around allocation of money per farm, testing and services would have allowed better tailoring to farm-specific needs. Follow-up evaluation of farm performance would provide valuable information on the effectiveness of interventions and emerging needs.

Clinical relevance: Veterinary work with clients following extreme events includes providing social support. Training and supervision for veterinarians’ social support role needs consideration.