References
How has the pandemic affected what we do and how we feel?
Abstract
As life suddenly changed with the introduction of the first lockdown, it soon became obvious that day-to-day farming was also being impacted. Routine veterinary visits, trips to the usual trade shows, farm discussion meetings and the like all stopped. But how could that information void be filled and, more to the point, how could communication best carry on? The FarmComm study took place in May with supplementary questions asked at the UK-Vet Healthy Herd conference.
In May 2020 in the midst of the first lock-down, the FarmComm Study was undertaken with the aim of understanding how farmers and veterinary surgeons were changing the way they communicated and worked together.
In a time when farm and trade shows were cancelled, marts closed and all farmer and veterinary meetings on-hold, the study revealed that farmers continued to demand information and were prepared to seek it out via new and different channels.
To address this communication void and understand farmers' wants and needs as far as animal health and veterinary consultations go, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health undertook the FarmComm Study (BIAH, 2020).
Over 350 farmers completed the study:
The study revealed that while text and email were regularly used before COVID-19, producers were increasingly happy to use FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook, WhatsApp and online forums. Virtual online meetings have now become the norm for many and some key dairy events are now moving online only for 2021.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting UK-VET Companion Animal and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.