Vets offer free visit in time of need

HELPING OUT: Phil Keinzley.

A veterinary practice in Wairarapa is offering a free calving assist to dairy farmers to help them through some tough economic times.

Phil Keinzley, of Keinzley Agvet, made the offer yesterday as farmers faced record low pay cheques heading into the calving season.

"We were trying to think what we could do," Mr Keinzley said.

The offer is of one free first call-out per farm from a Keinzley Agvet veterinarian to assist with a calving.

Vets are often called on when cows get into trouble calving, to save the cow or the calf, or both.

However, Mr Keinzley said when farmers were short of funds, they might reconsider making the call to a vet - for example "if there is only a 60 per cent chance of success".

The practical offer of a free call-out was extended to all dairy farmers, and not just Agvet's regular customers, Mr Keinzley said.

Keinzley Agvet has branches in Masterton, Carterton, Eketahuna and Martinborough.

"It's just to help them out, so they don't feel isolated."

Free calving help was the first idea he had considered, but it came after talking with farmers.

"They weren't really into a sports trip or a booze-up."

Ten years ago, Keinzley Agvet had sponsored a busload of farmers on a "field trip" to a rugby game in Wellington - as consolation and encouragement following some "really bad floods".

"This one, it's a really busy time and they weren't really interested in going off-farm. It's all about survival."