New region, new skills for LHPA intern vets

The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are broadening the skills of their livestock health staff by exposing them to work experiences in new regions of the state.

As part of her three-year internship, Tablelands LHPA district vet Mandi Carr recently spent two days working with staff at the Cumberland LHPA based in Camden.

While in the Cumberland region, Ms Carr attended the Camden cattle sale, pig sale, sheep sale and goat sale – all of which were vastly different to the livestock sales she normally attends in the Tablelands.

"The total numbers yarded at the Camden sheep sale was about 150 head, whereas at a sheep sale at the Carcoar Livestock Exchange we’d normally see twice that many in just one pen," Ms Carr said.

"The clientele were also very different, with many buyers only purchasing one or two animals, particularly at the pig sale.

"To me, this really highlighted the fact that the district vets in the Cumberland LHPA are on the frontline. With so many smaller landholdings so close together, it only takes one person to do the wrong thing, like swill feeding their pigs or not reporting a disease outbreak, and there could be real problems."

Mandi Carr says that while she would like to go back to the Cumberland LHPA for further work experience, she is looking forward to spending some time in other LHPAs across the state in order to keep expanding her skills, with plans to visit the Western LHPA next.

Ms Carr will also be travelling to different areas within her own authority, including Yass and Goulburn, to spend time learning from the district vets there.

"I think it’s very worthwhile that the LHPAs are encouraging their intern vets to get experience working in other areas – it has allowed me to learn new ways of doing things in livestock health," Ms Carr said.

"It’s also helping me to build up my network of contacts in different areas and get to know my colleagues better."

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378