Airdrie (Rural Roots Canada) – Building a strong relationship between a producer and a veterinarian is important for your herd’s health and the economic sustainability of your farm.

Dr. Tommy Ware from Veterinary Agri-Health Services says that the relationship starts with the first phone call between the producer and the veterinarian.

“From that phone call, the way I approach it is always to say, What are your goals? I usually don’t start with how many cows you have, where are you at?” says Ware.

He says if you called him, it’s apparent you are looking for some expertise.

“From that standpoint, we start getting a little bit more involved in that. How do you run your operation? And having that conversation.”

Ware says nothing beats the face-to-face time.

“That chute side, one on one, getting to know each other, feeling each other out, communication, that’s where it all starts.”

Dr. Tommy Ware took part in the recent Ranch Talks event in Airdrie, which was put on by REACH Agriculture Strategies.