How Can Farm Vets Embrace the Drive for Sustainability?

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Paul Horwood and Jim Hopkins explore the increasing importance of sustainability in farming. Jim is Chair of the Farm Animal Clinical Board at IVC Evidensia and he breaks down how being sustainable is often synonymous with being efficient.. Together, they discuss how vets can influence farm practices to optimise resource use, improve animal welfare, and meet environmental goals. Jim explains the vital role vets play in guiding farmers through sustainable transitions.

Jim Hopkins

Jim has been at Steffan Vets since he qualified in 2005, becoming a director in 2015. He is a mixed Vet but primarily works with livestock. Having a keen interest in sheep he regularly runs farmer meetings and workshops for dairy, beef and sheep. He is passionate about teaching and supporting his younger colleagues as well as clients. He peer-reviews papers for the Livestock Journal and is on the BVA Wales committee.

Paul Horwood

Paul has had a varied career so far, initially an Officer in the military, Paul left and trained as a vet, but kept his links with the military, returning to the front line in Afghanistan in 2012 with the Grenadier Guards.

Paul is currently the Group Veterinary advisor for farm at IVC Evidensia. He qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 2000, and after an internship, joined Westpoint Farm Vets, becoming partner, owner and director along the way, as it grew to 25 practices across the UK. He has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University. He's a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer for Vetlife, a member of the BVA council, mental health first aider, and the founder of VetYou, a financial advice platform for the veterinary profession.

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Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.

External Links:

Vet Sustain: https://vetsustain.org

Vet Sustain Carbon Calculator: https://vetsustain.org/shop/carbon-calculator

Vet Sustain 6 Sustainability Goals: https://vetsustain.org/veterinary-sustainability-goals