Airdrie (Rural Roots Canada) – As technology continues to evolve in agriculture, Canadian livestock producers are embracing new ways to connect with their veterinarians, without ever setting foot in the clinic.

Tele-medicine is gaining ground as a practical tool, allowing producers to consult with their vets remotely using phone calls, photos, and video. Dr. Tommy Ware of Veterinary Agri-Health Services near Crossfield, Alberta, the key to making it work starts with trust.

“A lot of it starts with having a good relationship with your veterinary, because we can’t just willy-nilly go about just answering phone calls and taking videos,” says Ware.

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That relationship forms the foundation for accurate assessments. From there, he says it’s important for producers to provide clear and useful information.

“Actually telling me, does that calf have a skin tendon? Are the eyes sunk back in the head? What’s the temperature of that calf? What’s it doing?” he says. “And then once you give me that, send me those pictures and videos.”

He adds that how producers capture those visuals matters. “I like to pick on people because they always send it in the selfie mode angle,” Ware jokes. “But I’m like, let’s turn that phone landscape. Landscape photos and videos are always very helpful because you can see a broader picture of what’s going on.”

With clear communication, solid visuals, and a strong vet-client relationship, tele-medicine is becoming a valuable tool in the livestock health toolbox.

Ware presented his topic as part of the recent Ranch Talks put on by Reach Agriculture Strategies.