Job’s done: 600,000 ewes scanned
Overseas workers help complete task in just eight weeks
With a three-strong local team and the extra help of two UK technicians, who were granted critical skills border exemptions, Vet Services Hawke’s Bay has successfully scanned more than 600,000 ewes this season.
Central Hawke’s Bay local MPs Kieran McAnulty and Anna Lorck joined Vet Services staff last week to thank and acknowledge the entire team for their work during this challenging time, along with meeting one of the UK scanning technicians, Dave Takle who was returning home.
Leading up to the scanning season, Vet Services had approached their local MPs for help to support the UK technicians’ applications for critical worker visas.
Vet Services Brendan James said Hawke’s Bay’s sheep industry was facing a real challenge because of the significant demand for qualified and experienced technicians who can scan up to 4000 ewes a day over eight weeks and get the best scanning results.
“There is a short four week window where the highest number of sheep are scanned, and it’s critical we have enough of our expert scanners, both local and our two overseas operators to ensure we get time critical information to our farmers,” he said.
Farmers rely on scanning data to ensure they can farm and feed to optimum conditions for maintaining and producing healthy ewes and lambs. In total Vet Services HB and Dannevirke scanned more than
600,000 sheep averaging 160 per cent and carrying close to one million lambs to be born this season.
“The pressure was really on to get the scanning process done for our farmers, which was especially important given the extremely dry conditions in many areas across the district,” James said.
McAnulty said catching up with Vet Services was also an opportunity as local MPs to personally recognise the value and respect the locallyowned business holds within the
community. The MPs were quick to point out that Vet Services did all the work. But, when the initial border exemption applications were held up they intervened to help get it across the line.
Working alongside Vet Services staff, they also talked directly with the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor and wrote to immigration officials strongly encouraging that these critical skills visas were granted.
“Sheep scanning is a highly skilled, relentless job over a very intense
period that requires years of training and practical experience. What also impressed us was the planned pathway for training and supporting New Zealanders to train in this area of work too,” said Lorck.
While not part of the visa decision making process, the MPs said ultimately their job is to advocate for the community.
“Where we can help, we will, so get in touch,” they said.
Dave Takle, from Somerset, said he had enjoyed his time in Central
Hawke’s Bay, where he has made longterm friends over the eight seasons he has travelled to New Zealand work with Vet Services.
Takle says he was chuffed to be “head hunted” by Ian Walker, formerly of Vet Services, eight years ago.
“I had contacts in Central Hawke’s Bay as some young shearers from CHB had travelled to the UK and worked for me as shearing contractors. When I first came over here it was a huge learning curve but I do love it here.”