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New Zealand Veterinary Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20
Planned animal health and production service — P.A.H.A.P.S. Knud Moller Published online: 23 Feb 2011.
To cite this article: Knud Moller (1977) Planned animal health and production service — P.A.H.A.P.S., New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 25:10, 299-299, DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1977.34436 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1977.34436
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
1977
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
299
LEADING ARTICLE
Downloaded by [UNAM Ciudad Universitaria] at 06:09 01 January 2015
Planned Animal Health and Production Service Herd-health programmes have featured in NZV A Presidential addresses in recent years. Conferences have been opened by politicians stressing their importance and farmers, farm advisers and veterinary practitioners are discussing the concept. More or less intensive practical herd-health schemes are operating in many parts of New Zealand. The best known are in the Bay of Islands. at Wairoa and in Waipukurau. The Veterinary Services Council's (VSC's) feasibility study of P.A.H.A.P.S. was completed in May 1976. The results were given in papers to the NZ Society of Animal Production and the NZ Veterinary Association at Confereces in February 1977 and to the VSC's own conference and the Massey Farmers' Conference in May 1977. A booklet "Introducing P.A.H.A.P.S." produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) for the VSC was aimed at farmer-readers, and three further publications are being prepared for farm advisers, veterinarians and farmers. Articles on the subject have appeared in "The Dairy Exporter". The results of this study unequivocally proved that this broadly-based. intensive form of consultancy service applied to a group of Waikato factory-supply dairy farms was not only feasible. but also highly rewarding in the economic sense. P.A.H.A.P.S. programmes are now run on a commercial basis in Cambridge. Huntly and Te Awamutu and appear to survive. The promotion of P.A.H.A.P.S. thus began well, but is a good beginning going to be enough to secure further growth and development? At present no organisation or political body appears to accept responsibility for furthering the cause of this very worthwhile and adequately-proven concept of multi-disciplinary consultancy service. NZ dairy farmers may accept that P.A.H.A.P.S. is a paying proposition if the methods and results of the Waikato study are continually brought before them, and it is a case of using this information to best advantage. Politicians, farmer leaders, producer boards. farm advisers and veterinarians have a clear duty to familiarise themselves with the concept, and if convinced of its benefits. to recommend it to farmers. Farm advisers must be made to understand P.A.H.A.P.S. fully. Some adverse comments have come from individuals who have not understood that it must be a joint project and that neither party can make it a success on its own. Opportunities should be taken to organise meetings between the two disciplines concerned. The organisations which employ farm advisers should encourage participation. Veterinarians in rural practice are in a key position to promote P.A.H.A.P.S. Some tend to argue that their clients will not agree to pay the necessary fees or are not interested in extra work or even extra income (taxation). Some will point out that the local farm advisers are unwilling to co-operate. It may be prudent to leave the question of acceptance to the farmers and farm advisers themselves and instead promote and offer the service to the clientele. There may be cases where the existing practice organisation does not lend itself easily to P.A.H.A.P.S., but these difficulties can be overcome. The bulk of the work falls at the time of the year when clinical workloads are low and P.A.H.A.P.S. can therefore be accommodated in many situa-
P.A.H.A.P.S.
tions without additional staffing. It is unlikely that the programme will ever be used by more than 10 to 15% of the clientele at anyone time, but likely that this level of participation can be sustained with other farmers replacing those who drop out. P.A.H.A.P.S. is not suitable for every farmer in NZ; only for those who are able to record adequately and can find time and interest in it. The Universities could play an important role in the promotion of P.A.H.A.P.S., for they may have a profound influence on the philosophy of their graduates. Attempts should be made to convince teachers of both agricultural and veterinary students that the co-operative concept of P.A.H.A.P.S. is worthwhile. There seems to be both justification and needfor some concerted promotional effort for P.A.H.A.P.S. at this time. P.A.H.A.P.S. relies on an efficient back-up service, in particular from the MAF Animal Health Laboratories which will be expected to process a great number of submissions and to take part in the development and use of new techniques. It would, for example, be useful if computer analysis of calving/mating was available. This would make the data-processing more reliable and more comprehensive and ease the burden on the veterinary consultant. P.A.H.A.P.S. needs support from the Dairy Division. Dairy advisory officers should be freely available to assist with planning of shed and milking-machine alterations and to check on milking technique and proper functioning of machinery, at least when a particularly difficult problem exists. MAF engineers, animal husbandry advisers and economists can also contribute significantly. P.A.H.A.P.S. will identify many areas needing research. Some of them can be successfully tackled only by research institutes or universities. A positive attitude is required from leaders of these organisations. The advisory teams should not be expected to carry out research on their clients' farms. Their brief is to apply research findings to the farm situation. The P.A.H.A.P.S. is at a developmental stage and needs continual innovative attention. Veterinary practitioners need help and advice to establish the service. Both undergraduate and postgraduate training of veterinarians and farm advisers is essential. These needs and that of promotion may best be met by the establishment of a small team working from Massey University. This team should consist of veterinary surgeons and agriculturalists. It could practice and develop P.A.H.A.P.S. on a small numberoffarms, and eventually include beef cattle farms, sheep properties, pig farms, poultry farms and town-supply dairy farms. It could teach undergraduates and organise postgraduate courses. It could answer calls for help to establish P.A.H.A.P.S. in the field and it could promote the concept. P.A. H.A. P. S. does not need direct subsidy from the state, but it does need an effiCient back-up service by the M.A.F. and the universities. The setting-up ofa section specifically concerned with its promotion and development is desirable.
Knud Moller
New Zealand Veterinary Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20
Planned animal health and production service — P.A.H.A.P.S. Knud Moller Published online: 23 Feb 2011.
To cite this article: Knud Moller (1977) Planned animal health and production service — P.A.H.A.P.S., New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 25:10, 299-299, DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1977.34436 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1977.34436
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
1977
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
299
LEADING ARTICLE
Downloaded by [UNAM Ciudad Universitaria] at 06:09 01 January 2015
Planned Animal Health and Production Service Herd-health programmes have featured in NZV A Presidential addresses in recent years. Conferences have been opened by politicians stressing their importance and farmers, farm advisers and veterinary practitioners are discussing the concept. More or less intensive practical herd-health schemes are operating in many parts of New Zealand. The best known are in the Bay of Islands. at Wairoa and in Waipukurau. The Veterinary Services Council's (VSC's) feasibility study of P.A.H.A.P.S. was completed in May 1976. The results were given in papers to the NZ Society of Animal Production and the NZ Veterinary Association at Confereces in February 1977 and to the VSC's own conference and the Massey Farmers' Conference in May 1977. A booklet "Introducing P.A.H.A.P.S." produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) for the VSC was aimed at farmer-readers, and three further publications are being prepared for farm advisers, veterinarians and farmers. Articles on the subject have appeared in "The Dairy Exporter". The results of this study unequivocally proved that this broadly-based. intensive form of consultancy service applied to a group of Waikato factory-supply dairy farms was not only feasible. but also highly rewarding in the economic sense. P.A.H.A.P.S. programmes are now run on a commercial basis in Cambridge. Huntly and Te Awamutu and appear to survive. The promotion of P.A.H.A.P.S. thus began well, but is a good beginning going to be enough to secure further growth and development? At present no organisation or political body appears to accept responsibility for furthering the cause of this very worthwhile and adequately-proven concept of multi-disciplinary consultancy service. NZ dairy farmers may accept that P.A.H.A.P.S. is a paying proposition if the methods and results of the Waikato study are continually brought before them, and it is a case of using this information to best advantage. Politicians, farmer leaders, producer boards. farm advisers and veterinarians have a clear duty to familiarise themselves with the concept, and if convinced of its benefits. to recommend it to farmers. Farm advisers must be made to understand P.A.H.A.P.S. fully. Some adverse comments have come from individuals who have not understood that it must be a joint project and that neither party can make it a success on its own. Opportunities should be taken to organise meetings between the two disciplines concerned. The organisations which employ farm advisers should encourage participation. Veterinarians in rural practice are in a key position to promote P.A.H.A.P.S. Some tend to argue that their clients will not agree to pay the necessary fees or are not interested in extra work or even extra income (taxation). Some will point out that the local farm advisers are unwilling to co-operate. It may be prudent to leave the question of acceptance to the farmers and farm advisers themselves and instead promote and offer the service to the clientele. There may be cases where the existing practice organisation does not lend itself easily to P.A.H.A.P.S., but these difficulties can be overcome. The bulk of the work falls at the time of the year when clinical workloads are low and P.A.H.A.P.S. can therefore be accommodated in many situa-
P.A.H.A.P.S.
tions without additional staffing. It is unlikely that the programme will ever be used by more than 10 to 15% of the clientele at anyone time, but likely that this level of participation can be sustained with other farmers replacing those who drop out. P.A.H.A.P.S. is not suitable for every farmer in NZ; only for those who are able to record adequately and can find time and interest in it. The Universities could play an important role in the promotion of P.A.H.A.P.S., for they may have a profound influence on the philosophy of their graduates. Attempts should be made to convince teachers of both agricultural and veterinary students that the co-operative concept of P.A.H.A.P.S. is worthwhile. There seems to be both justification and needfor some concerted promotional effort for P.A.H.A.P.S. at this time. P.A.H.A.P.S. relies on an efficient back-up service, in particular from the MAF Animal Health Laboratories which will be expected to process a great number of submissions and to take part in the development and use of new techniques. It would, for example, be useful if computer analysis of calving/mating was available. This would make the data-processing more reliable and more comprehensive and ease the burden on the veterinary consultant. P.A.H.A.P.S. needs support from the Dairy Division. Dairy advisory officers should be freely available to assist with planning of shed and milking-machine alterations and to check on milking technique and proper functioning of machinery, at least when a particularly difficult problem exists. MAF engineers, animal husbandry advisers and economists can also contribute significantly. P.A.H.A.P.S. will identify many areas needing research. Some of them can be successfully tackled only by research institutes or universities. A positive attitude is required from leaders of these organisations. The advisory teams should not be expected to carry out research on their clients' farms. Their brief is to apply research findings to the farm situation. The P.A.H.A.P.S. is at a developmental stage and needs continual innovative attention. Veterinary practitioners need help and advice to establish the service. Both undergraduate and postgraduate training of veterinarians and farm advisers is essential. These needs and that of promotion may best be met by the establishment of a small team working from Massey University. This team should consist of veterinary surgeons and agriculturalists. It could practice and develop P.A.H.A.P.S. on a small numberoffarms, and eventually include beef cattle farms, sheep properties, pig farms, poultry farms and town-supply dairy farms. It could teach undergraduates and organise postgraduate courses. It could answer calls for help to establish P.A.H.A.P.S. in the field and it could promote the concept. P.A. H.A. P. S. does not need direct subsidy from the state, but it does need an effiCient back-up service by the M.A.F. and the universities. The setting-up ofa section specifically concerned with its promotion and development is desirable.
Knud Moller
