11/06/2026
An exciting couple of days for Guy, Arthur and Isla who drove all the way to Manchester for the IVC Farm Congress.
In the veterinary industry nothing stays still so it’s important for us to keep thinking about our role as farm vets and how we can support farmers as pressures for better welfare and better production continue to grow in the face of mounting costs and staffing problems.
Of course, it also involved a good party and a chance to network with other vets from across the country. It was also a huge honour for Isla to be one of three finalists for the Emerging Farm Vet of the Year award!
Our favourite bits:
Guy - the talk by Ben Williams from Leprino Foods about efficiency in dairy cattle (or lack thereof) and the questions that we as vets need to be asking to aid farmers in improving their productivity and future proofing their farms. Some truly frightening statistics heard - ask us more when you see us if you’re interested!
Arthur - always one for the networking! There were free drinks and a party but it was an opportunity to meet different vets in different areas of the country and talk about how they are generating change and encouraging farmers to embrace new technologies on their farms. Having strong working relationships with vets across the country is hugely important when it comes to us maintaining our RCVS commitment of being lifelong learners.
Isla - Listening to Claire Whittle (the Regenerative Vet) talk about how we can farm better by using nature. For example, the multifunction nature of hedges: as biodiverse hubs, a source of shade and food and as a natural biosecurity measure. Also the potential damage we do to the environment every time we use anthelmintics for worming - damaging insect populations has a massive knock on effect on all other species in the ecosystem - including us and our livestock!
A big thank you to Tracy, Melissa and Maia for working hard to man the fort whilst they were gone!
