The Rural Voice, 1978-11, Page 15Vet labs called over worked, under staffed
By Rhea Hamilton
With the decline of the general farm and increased
dependence in specialized farming veterinary and laboratory_
services can be crucial to a farmer who makes his living raising
food producing animals. Many farmers no longer have crops to
fall back on or another animal resource to provide income if
herds are endangered by rampant disease.
Speed in getting results back from a lab and in implementing
their recommendations becomes more vital than ever.
There are six reeional labs in Ontario and the one in Huron
Park (Centralia) seves Perth, Huron and Bruce, as well as parts
of Middlesex, Oxford, Wellington, and lambton counties.
Largest number
Huron Park serves the largest number of livestock units of any
provincial lab 718,685 in 1976 compared to Guelph lab with
610.380 or Ridgetown with 279.475. And according to figures in
an OMAF report, the Huron Park lab also has the province's
heaviest workload.
"The problem of work load is not unique to our lab" says Dr.
Gaylord Josephson head of the Huron Park lab.
"The system is open ended." he explained. "We work on the
number of specimens that come in per day. There is no
restriction as to the number of cases we take in. we are more or
less obligated to take them on."
"The system was developed as a backup for veterinari-ans. The
diagnostic laboratory system is worth while and a benefit to the
agricultural industry" says Dr. Jos•ephcson. "But this arca
carries the bulk of the livestock in the province.
The five regional labs can do everything except the more
sophisticated tests. Items such bacterial cultures must be looked
after in Guelph at the main laboratory.
Bacterial cultures alone take up to two weeks to produce any
results.
Same Staff
In the three years that Dr. Josephson has been head of the
Huron Park Lab he has seen the work load double, but the staff
has remained the same in number and the budget for laboratory
services has remained stationary for the past two to three years.
Until 1972 lab services were free. After a fee was introduced, use
levelled off for awhile but has boomed again because its worth
has been recognized.
"There are restraints being cxnerienced by all segments of
government" says Dr. Walker Head of the Ontario labs, in
Toronto.
"There has been a marked increase in awareness of the lab
services among the farmers and this in turn creates the work
load." he noted.
"It is through the dedication of people like Dr. Josephson that
the labs are able to put so much work out." Dr. Walker, said.
There are plans to expand these services in Huron Park.
"Although funds have vet not been allocated we feel we must
proceed with the plans." said Dr. Walker. "The number one
object is to reduce the time between submission and results. We
try to set priorities and get the most urgent cases out first."
The Huron lab is manned by 1 secretary. 7 veterinar: ails 3
technicians, 1 lab attendent and 1 post mortem attenuant.
There are three casual physicians who work a maxintu m of three
days per week helping out.
Concerned
The marketing boards representing product•irs, are not the only
ones concerned with the work overload at the laboratories
particularly Huron Park. P'•. Tont Sanderson, of Listowel
president of the Vete Hilary Practit overs' Association is deeply
involved.
On a personal basis Dr. Sanderson has contacted Hugh
Edighoffer, M.P.P. for Perth as well as the minister of
Agriculture. He too received "the usual polite reply"
Dr. Sanderson has also spoken to local pork producers and has
urged organizations to say something about the work overload
being felt at all Ontario laboratories.
Say Something
"All six labs are cutting back on volume" says Dr. Sanderson.
"Huron Park is the only one that is continuing to expand. The
agriculture potential is the greatest in that area."
"The lab system is tremendous for producers" Dr. Sanderson
said. "They are even able to produce vaccines from the germs
in the animals either for scours, or neo -natal diarhea."
"We noticed the cutbacks. last J une" said Dr. Sanderson.
"The work is tedious and difficult and there is no manpower
available to handle the work."
Life of Death
"In life or death cases the labs do their best" Dr. Sanderson
remarked. "One evening Dr. Josephson. at the Huron Park lab,
called at 11 at night with test results. There are not many
government employees that would work so hard."
"We thought we were the only ones noticing the lab overload
problem".
Dr. Sanderson said, "Most labs deal with local vets and many
farmers may not realize where the delay is."
Dr. Sanderson has complete confidence in the lab facilities at
Huron Park. "The department of Agriculture has been run over
the years the way all government should be". he says.
"They have kept a tieht budget and are not over taxed. As
soon as the government:cuts back, the ministry of agriculture.
working on the line, can't absorb the cuts."
McGAVIN'S
FARM EQUIPMENT,
LTD.
Sales and Service
527-0245
Seaforth
Walton, Ont.
Established 1936
887-6365
Brussels
We specialize in a complete line
of farm Equipment including
THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1978 PG. 1S ,