Creating Partnerships

Connecting veterinarians and small- and medium-sized ranchers to enhance profitability and sustainability

Enhancing the economic efficiency and sustainability of small- and medium-sized ranchers requires building partnerships with local veterinarians. We worked with industry experts to develop a collaboration model for ranchers and veterinarians in efforts to increase the access to information and resources.

BACKGROUND

Small- and medium-sized ranchers face significant barriers to sustaining their ranching operations due to the inaccessibility of knowledge on animal welfare, facilities management, and merchandising of animal products. Our project combined applied research and education to propose a new model for collaboration between veterinarians and small-and medium-sized ranchers to ensure access to resources that are necessary to operate ranches on a sustainable and profitable basis.

WE PROVIDED

Instructional design
Media production
Program advertising/communications
Graphic design

Illustration
Program management
Website design
Pilot testing assistance

OUR APPROACH

Integrative interdisciplinary food animal workshops were held in person to initiate the creation of partnerships between small-and medium-sized ranchers and veterinarians. Hands-on experiences through practical exercises allowed ranchers and veterinarians to work together to build connections. Specifics of the new federally/state-mandated veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) were discussed at length. Ranchers and veterinarians were able to discuss the challenges of and the need for the VCPR. Additionally, workshop attendees learned more about veterinary feed directives and how to take advantage of distance animal care by their veterinarian. A wide set of resources were provided for ranchers and veterinarians to “click-access” vetted information on VCPRs, animal health, biosecurity, vaccines, drug residues, etc. Also provided were the workshop materials for attendees to share with partners or peers. Visit howdypartner.org

Illustration of farmers, vets, and livestock animals

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

100 Ranchers Inc.

Waller County Farmers’ & Ranchers’ Cooperative

Texas AgriLife Extension Services

eXtension Foundation

COLLABORATORS

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Prairie View A&M University

West Texas A&M University

Infographics showing the summarized and interpreted data gathered from the vet and producer surveys.
participants in a VRCP workshop gathered on a covered porch for a group photo.

One-day Partnership Pathways workshops in Texas

Veterinarians and ranchers attended training

Established a VCPR

Are you interested in starting a project with us?