More funding for vet graduates in rural areas
A total of 34 graduate vets will be placed in rural areas this year, from Northland to Southland, through the Government's Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS).
The fall comes as dairy farmers cut budgets, have fewer lame cows, and as more cows get culled, leaving fewer animals for vets to treat.
In the past two months, work has picked up as farmers spend on pregnancy scans for dairy cows, but this is expected to drop off again.
Vets say they are cutting back: stripping printing and stationery costs, pulling back on continuing education for staff, watching phone costs and even scrutinising their giving to local charities and farming groups.
