Motivations and Barriers for Veterinarians When Facilitating Fertility Management on UK Dairy Farms.

ABSTRACT: It is economically essential, but challenging, for dairy farmers to manage bovine fertility. Vets can help farmers to improve fertility, and this is cost-effective bringing benefits for production, animal health and welfare, and the environment. However, the extent to which vets are involved in fertility varies considerably between farms, for reasons that are unclear. This study investigated the motivators and barriers that vets perceive when trying to increase their involvement with fertility management on UK dairy farms. Interviews were conducted with 20 vets and four themes identified. The first, "clinical baggage," highlighted vets' disillusionment due to past experiences of low uptake of their advice by farmers. Consequently, some vets made assumptions about farmer needs and behaviour

SUBMITTER: Brocket JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8511516 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature