Basic HTML Version
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
17
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
This is the nature of completing a third year
research project; total immersion in your area
of research, punctuated by bouts of panic
when you fear that you do not have enough
data, or enough time or enough information to
possibly complete the task. I plagued farmers
in both the UK and Ireland for their help
completing a questionnaire. Every farmer that
ever had the misfortune to cross my path was
duly contacted and their help enlisted. The
benefits of having a vast, enthusiastic extended
family soon became apparent as, to their
Until the cows come home
STUDENT DIARY
Eva Kenny
, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Third year student at The University of Nottingham, School
of Veterinary Medicine and Science
For the last 12 weeks
I have talked about
cows, asked questions
about cows, read about
cows and written about
cows until, well, the
cows come home.
enormous credit, questionnaires were soon
being delivered to every farmer that ever had
the misfortune to cross their paths also!
I'm sure the farmers might have been
somewhat less enthusiastic with the extra
paperwork and the broaching of the sensitive
subject of cattle abortions. My study focused
on the perception of cattle abortion and the
uptake of abortion investigations by UK and
Irish cattle farmers. The subject sparked my
interest as I became increasingly aware that
it was an issue that receives little attention
compared with other afflictions of cattle.
Cattle industry profitability depends on a
quick return to calf, which abortion directly
threatens. Yet there is little concrete data
regarding the long term implications of
abortion on reproductive efficiency and
success. The most logical place to start an
investigation seemed to be with the people
who are dealing with abortions, cattle farmers.
I wanted to determine farmers' opinions on the
matter and decipher what they thought the
current issues and problems were in relation to
abortion and abortion investigation services.
This paved the way for my first visit to a
cattle show in the UK, in an attempt to
ambush as many farmers as possible and
discuss their thoughts on the issue. Armed
with 'Nottingham Vet School' branded pens
and complimentary fluffy pink pig stickers,
I was ready. The farmers I spoke to couldn't
have been nicer and though many
commented that it was a difficult topic they
were still happy to sit down and have a chat
about it. Though predictably most refused the
fluffy pink pig, I can't imagine why...
Sadly my year of sharing tales of the life
of a vet student has come to end but I
have enjoyed it immensely. After Christmas,
studies will continue in earnest with the
commencement of 'Principles of Clinical
Veterinary Science'. For now, I have
placement booked and after writing a
research project about them, I am looking
forward to actually seeing some cows again.