Developing the production medicine practice

The concept of dairy production medicine has matured. The programs are probably essential for our profession to remain relevant to the dairy industry. Yet delivery of the services has lagged far behind the concept. Delivery lags because it is not simply the addition of some new techniques to an old practice; development of production medicine programs requires fundamental changes in the skills we bring to our work, changes in the way we relate to our clients and our community, and changes in the priorities that shape our practices. That is the challenge. The process is demanding, it is complex, it is sometimes painful, and in my view, it is absolutely necessary.