Local vet nominated for prestigious national award

The work of a Dorset based vet in support of British agriculture has been recognised with a nomination for a prestigious national award. Mark Burnell - a founding partner of Synergy Farm Health, which operates from practices in Evershot, Crewekerne, Dorchester, Tauton, Chard, Martock, Bridport and Bere Regis - has been shortlisted for the Livestock Advisor of the Year category at the Farmers Weekly Awards. This category, which is sponsored by Silotite®, the market leading brand of silage balewrapping film from bpi.agri, hopes to acknowledge those who have made an outstanding contribution to the UK’s livestock farming community. Mark has been instrumental in spearheading a different approach to vet services in Dorset, Somerset and East Devon. Already a partner in a smaller practice including six farm vets, he and his colleagues agreed to merge with the farming arm of another practice to combine talents and resources and create Synergy Farm Health. With a team of 17 farm vets in total Synergy Farm Health is focused more on advice and less on commission from the sales of medicines. To free the vets up and allow them to concentrate on consultative services, Synergy also employs three Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) able to dispense and prescribe certain medicines such as wormers and fly control products. In addition a further five paraprofessionals are employed to undertake foot trimming, to offer a heifer rearing service, to carry out freeze branding, dis-budding and mobility scoring, as well as to provide general assistance with cattle handling operations such as TB testing or vaccinating using the practice’s own handling system. Mark explains: “We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the highest possible standard of support, and in order to achieve this we have structured our practice in a way that gives our vets the maximum amount of time to actively provide consultancy and advice.” This clearly defined strategy and cohesive team structure has enabled Synergy Farm Health to set new standards in the provision of veterinary advice. The business model is also being held up as an example to other vet practices. Louise Aplin, Marketing Manager from award sponsor bpi.agri, added: “As part of our commitment to British agriculture bpi.agri is proud to once again be sponsoring the Livestock Advisor of the year category at the Farmers Weekly Awards. As a business that strives for excellence we are delighted to be involved in recognising this quality in others. “The work of Mark and his fellow finalists has been a crucial element in the success of all their clients’ businesses, and has made a major difference to both British agriculture and to the livelihoods of individual farmers. We wish him the very best of luck.” The results of the Farmers’ Weekly Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 7 October 2010. ENDS IMAGE: Mark Burnell.jpg CAPTION: One of the best in the business. Locally based vet Mark Burnell has been shortlisted for the coveted title Livestock Advisor of the Year at the 2010 Farmers Weekly Awards.

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