Veterinarians’ Role In Agricultural Countries

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 18

Veterinarians’ Role In Agricultural Countries

In countries depending largely on animals for the supply of food and maintenance of an export trade, all farmers were affected by reduced profit margins and consequently sought to cut costs. Professor B. C. Jansen, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa, said in his opening address at the Veterinary Services Council’s annual conference in Christchurch yesterday. An important factor in minimising losses was the prevention of diseases not only causing death but also retarding growth and weight gain, said Professor Jansen.

The maintenance of health had consequently become an increasing preoccupation of animal owners. They were looking more to those who could give information on the use of prohylactic vaccines and hygenic methods of maintenance.

Veterinary science had a leading role to play also in the drive for animal production, although traditionally it seemed not to be so, said Professor Jansen. Veterinarians should extend their influence in policies affecting the breeding, feeding, and management of national herds and flocks.

A stage would be reached where close co-operation with agricultural specialists in pasture management and feed production would have to be

maintained. Co-operation paid handsome dividends because of the close relationship between animal and grassland husbandry problems. Universities and the veterinary profession realised the current trends in animal production and had already done much to equip enough trainees for the new approach to veterinary science, said Professor Jansen. However, existing staff had to be used as efficiently as possible, as it did not seem likely there would ever be enough trained men.

Little could be done without the co-operation of the farming community. said Professor Jansen. Many farm ers had still not yet realised the value of preventive medicine in its widest sense. Farmers reluctant to pay for expert advice must be convinced that the veterinarian could control and prevent disease and loss through a whole flock or herd.

Although many diseases could be cured, as many remained to erode animal health. If problems such as the improvement of prophylactic vaccines, the influence of mineral deficiencies, the control of parasites, infertiility, and metabolic diseases were not solved, a stage would be reached where further improvement would be impossible, said Professor Jansen.