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
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
