THE TOP 6 problems vets see on blocks

In a survey in 2016, 83% of the 199 vets who replied say they saw 5+ lifestyle block clients a month.

The top four species of animals routinely treated on lifestyle farms were:

• sheep (90.3%);

• cattle (77.6%);

• goats (60%);

• horses (48%).

The most common animal welfare issues veterinarians reported seeing on blocks related to:

• poor nutrition (under or overfeeding, inappropriate feeding, lack of supplements);

• parasites;

• lameness;

• flystrike;

• general issues caused by poor animal husbandry, eg not shearing, trimming hooves;

• failure to recognise animal health and welfare problems.

Veterinarians also reported the most common barriers lifestyle block farmers face, which result in animal welfare issues, are:

• lack of knowledge about general animal health and husbandry;

• lack of knowledge about general farming practices;

• lack of facilities;

• absence from the property.