Claire Law, rural veterinarian from Naracoorte, South Australia cuts away abscesses from the feet of dairy cows, performs emergency caesareans, and is often covered in a mixture of faeces and blood.
It is exhausting work wrangling huge beasts and problem solving, but Ms Law said charging farmers, particularly dairy farmers was the most challenging aspect of her job.
«With the dairy industry, you probably don’t charge what you should charge,» she said.
«It’s different to a city practice where you’ve got cats and dogs.
«They don’t have to make money.»
Ms Law said vets struggled to be «realistic» about what they could charge their clients.
«Most vets have trouble charging people, because we’re not really business people,» she said.
«It’s certainly the part that we all dislike in our practice — having to be realistic and talk to people about what can be done and what they can afford.»
Mount Gambier vet owner, Stuart Skirving serviced around 35 dairy farms and agreed there were «many issues and challenges» servicing the industry.
«Whilst I don’t think we have fully felt the effect of the price drop, as the year progresses and budgets become tighter we expect to see effects,» he said.
Mr Skirving indicated many dairy farmers might consider dropping a number of reproductive and preventative treatments.
«It is a difficult thing as, by dropping such preventative measures, it can lead to increased disease costs in the long run,» he said.
«Most of the dairy farmers are going OK at the moment but there is a lot of anger at how the whole scenario has played out.
«Financial strains will impact more as the year goes on.»
Mr Skirving said while the clinic had «costs to cover», they tried to be as «reasonable» as possible.
«While it may not be as profitable as other fields of veterinary science we need to be aware that we are treating animals with a financial value and our fees must be reasonable.»
Source: ABC
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-05/rural-vets-struggle-to-charge-dairy-farmers-in-light-of-crisis/7804044