Exploring bison producers' access to veterinary services in Ontario, Canada

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Agricultural Economics

Background:

• Access to veterinary services is vital for animal welfare and food systems.
• Rural communities, including livestock producers, face significant barriers to veterinary care.
• Limited research exists on bison producers' access to veterinary services, highlighting a knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe Ontario bison producers' current access to veterinary services.
• To identify barriers perceived by producers affecting herd health and management.
• To understand the impact of veterinary service access on bison farming practices.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving virtual focus groups with Ontario bison producers.
• Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim.
• Data analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Producers reported obstacles and concerns despite having veterinary access.
• Key themes: concerns about future farming stability/costs and a need for increased veterinarian knowledge on bison.
• Suggested solutions: improved collaboration with veterinary organizations, stronger producer-veterinarian relationships, and financial incentives for veterinarians.

Conclusions:

• Bison producers have access to veterinarians but may not fully utilize services or find them entirely beneficial.
• Barriers to effective veterinary care persist, impacting herd health and management.
• Further research from the veterinarian perspective is recommended for a comprehensive understanding.