A qualitative survey approach to investigating beef and dairy veterinarians’ needs in relation to technologies on farms

Doidge, C; Burrell, A; van Schaik, G; Kaler, J

Abstract

Globally, farmers are being increasingly encouraged to use technologies. Consequently, veterinarians often use farm data and technologies to provide farmers with advice. Yet very few studies have sought to understand veterinarians’ perceptions of data and technologies on farms. The aim of this study was to understand veterinarians’ experiences and opinions on data and technology on beef and dairy farms. An online qualitative survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 36 and 24 veterinarians from the United Kingdom and Ireland, respectively. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate four themes: (1) Improving veterinary advice through data; (2) Ensuring stock person skills are retained; (3) Longevity of technology; and (4) Solving social problems on farms. We show that technologies and data can make veterinarians feel more confident in the advice they give to farmers. However, the quality and quantity of data collected on cattle farms were highly variable. Furthermore, veterinarians were concerned that farmers can become over-reliant on technologies by not using their stockperson skills. As herd sizes increase, technologies can help to improve working conditions on farms with multiple employees of various skillsets. Veterinarians would like innovations that can help them to demonstrate their competence, influence farmers’ behaviour, and ensure sustainability of the beef and dairy industries.

Citation

Doidge, C., Burrell, A., van Schaik, G., & Kaler, J. (2024). A qualitative survey approach to investigating beef and dairy veterinarians’ needs in relation to technologies on farms. Animal, 18(4), Article 101124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101124

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 27, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 27, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-04
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 12, 2024
• Journal: animal
• Print ISSN: 1751-7311
• Electronic ISSN: 1751-732X
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 101124
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101124
• Keywords: Dairy farming; Decision support tools; Herd health; Precision livestock technology; Responsible innovation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/32179150
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124000557?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: A qualitative survey approach to investigating beef and dairy veterinarians’ needs in relation to technologies on farms; Journal Title: animal; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101124; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Animal Consortium.