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Dairy Farming in Partnership
At Dairy Vets, we partner with local dairy farmers to
help them improve herd health & wellbeing.
Meet our vets
Achieve dairy farming best practice
With our milk supplier aligned farm health care plans.
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Welcome to Dairy Vets

Supporting dairy farmers to achieve more

We are committed to offering the best possible service to our dairy clients:  experienced vets that understand your business. From pasture based to high input systems, we have the experience to assist you in all aspects of herd health; our goal is assist you in achieving your own farm goals.

Established in May 2013 we started as a husband and wife team (Nathan and Anna). Since then we have grown to a team of eleven staff: six vets, supported by vet techs and front of house. 

By offering great value and an excellent service, we aim to maximise your production and profitability.

The office is open weekdays 8am – 5pm at 418 West St, Ashburton. We offer a 24 hour emergency service. 

FARM HEALTH CARE PLANS

To learn more about our Farm Health Care Plans, and how we fully support dairy farmers to achieve their goals and ambitions with their milk supplier, simply request a free copy of our Farm Health Care Plans today.

Get your Farm Health Care Plan

We're here to help

We believe in a preventative approach where possible.

Pre-season Calf Care

Discover how you can give your calves and cows the best possible start.

Beneficial for all

The Calf Care programme is developed for Synlait LWP clients but would be beneficial to all: young calves are bled to check for colostral transfer and a colostrum report is generated.
Learn More
Dairy Vets

Analysis & Consult

Being proactive is farming best practice, if you have any concerns about your herd, we're here to help.

Have a concern?

Our team of specialist dairy vets and technicians are here to help, book a consultation with us today and together we can improve herd health and performance.
Book Now
Dairy Vets

Reproduction & Milk Quality

Concerned about the reproduction
of your herd or milk quality? Get in touch,
we're here to help.

Reproduction & Milk Quality

To speak with one of our experienced team, simply call us on 03 308 0493 or book a consultation today.
Book a Consult Now

Welcome to our team of passionate local Veterinarians.

Nathan Back

BVSc (Hons) BAgrSc
Director / Dairy Vet
View bio

Anna Tarver

BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Dairy Medicine)
Director / Dairy Vet
View bio

Phil Stoakes

BVSc MRCVS
Dairy Vet
View bio

Anita Renes

BVSc MRCVS Dairy Vet
View bio

James Postlethwaite

BVSc MRCVS
Dairy Vet
View bio

Will McLean

BVSc
Dairy Vet
View bio

Angharad Wellwood

BVSc Dairy Vet
View bio

Latest Articles

Salmonella

3 September 2024 // Anita Renes
Read More

Mastitis – Culling Decisions

23 April 2024 // Anita Renes
Read More

Johne’s Testing

7 March 2024 // Will Mclean
Read More
View more articles

Quick Links

Knowledge
Base

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Call your vet

 03 308 0493

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Latest Promotions

Take advantage of the latest product special offers from our leading suppliers. VIEW OFFERS

Dairy Vets Team

Lets talk...

We look forward to speaking with you soon, if you have any questions for us, please complete the form below or call the practice on 03 308 0493 anytime. Call this number if you require 24hr emergency assistance.













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    Anna Tarver

    BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Dairy Medicine)

    E: anna@dairyvets.co.nz

    Brought up on her families pedigree Holstein herd and after studying an Animal Health degree at Harper Adams Agricultural College, Anna moved to Sydney to study her Vet degree. After graduating in 2006 she then worked in mixed practice in NSW before working in England in dairy practice before the move to NZ in 2010.

    Anna undertook and passed a membership in dairy cattle medicine in 2013: this is recognition of advanced level knowledge and experience in this topic. Outside of work her three children, horses, dogs and Suffolk sheep stud keep her busy!

    Professional interests include reproduction, mastitis and infectious disease, particularly BVD. Anna has a keen interest in data analysis and identifying areas where gains can be made in reproduction and animal health.  Accredited BCS scorer.

    Nathan Back

    BVSc (Hons) BAgrSc

    E: nathan@dairyvets.co.nz

    Nathan completed an Agriculture degree before spending two years working in the USA on feedlot dairies and a dairy farm in NZ before heading back to University to study Veterinary Science. After graduating he worked in dairy practice in the UK before settling in NZ.

    Passionate about all aspects of dairy farming he ran a calf rearing business in the UK and then started rearing dairy heifers and carrying over dairy cows in NZ. Nathan enjoys spending time on the mini farm while away from work, his cow passion continues with his Speckle Park stud.

    His professional interests include calf rearing, nutrition and farm economics. Accredited BCS scorer.

    Angharad Wellwood

    BVSc MRCVS

    E: angharad@dairyvets.co.nz

    Angharad (Harry) joined the practice in December 2020 after graduating from the University of Liverpool. She has always had a keen interest in NZ dairy farming and grew up with kiwi cross cows on her parents block calving dairy farm in Leicestershire. Professionally Harry has interests in young-stock management and reproduction but mostly just enjoys all aspects of being out on farm. 

    Outside of work she spends her time swimming and hiking and is very much looking forward to taking advantage of all the beautiful scenery NZ has to offer. 

    Accredited BSC scorer.

    Phil Stoakes

    Phil Stoakes

    BVSc MRCVS

    E: phil@dairyvets.co.nz

    ​Phil has worked with Dairy Vets for since 2017, before that working locally as a dairy vet for three years. He has made NZ his home after being brought up on his family farm in Oxfordshire and working in farm animal vet practice in Wiltshire, UK. Professionally he has a passion for cow lameness and surgery. Outside of work he is an adrenaline sports enthusiast and enjoys skiing and trail riding to name a few!

    Accredited BCS scorer. Accredited Health hoof advisor. In the process to become an accredited Fonterra milk quality assessor.

    James Postlethwaite

    James Postlethwaite

    BVSc MRCVS

    ​E: james@dairyvets.co.nz

    James joined us as a locum in 2017 having worked as a farm animal vet in Scotland. It didn’t take him long to realise NZ had much better weather than Scotland and became a permanent member of the team! James enjoying taking himself on exciting adventures all over the south island when he’s not working. He enjoying tramping, mountain bike riding and crossfit. 

    Professionally James has a interests in surgery and mastitis. Accredited BCS scorer. In process to become an accredited Fonterra milk quality assessor.

    Polly Peck - Dairy Vets

    Polly Flack

    Technician

    Polly joined our technician team in 2020. Originally from the North Island she bring a lot of dairy experience having working on dairy and research farms as well as more recently being involved with the M.Bovis response on their sampling team.

    Accredited Dairy NZ condition scorer. 

    Sherree Bowles

    Technician Team Leader

    Sherree has been part of the team since 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience; having worked locally as a full time dairy technician for 15 years. She is team leader for our technician team and loves getting out on farm and getting stuck in!

     Outside of work she enjoys multi-sport events, mountain biking and the outdoors. 

    Accredited Dairy NZ condition scorer.

    Abbie Mcleod

    Technician

    Abbie joined us as a full time technician in July 2019 after doing a couple months as a casual on the teat seal team. She is originally from South Otago and was brought up on dairy farms.

    Outside of work Abbie enjoys competitive horse endurance and competitive trail riding where she has won national awards on her horse Sparky. Also enjoys anything outdoors from mountain biking to hunting. 

    Accredited Dairy NZ condition scorer

    Nicky Williams

    Office Manager

    Nicky has been with us since we first started having a manned office. She is our office manager and keeps all the team and the office organised! As well as reception duties she is kept busy with stock control and managing accounts

    Nicky enjoys fishing and boating and family time outside of work

    Jo Dellow

    Office Administration

    Jo joined Nicky in 2019 to help with our calving season; we then realised we couldn’t manage without her and she became a permanent team member! She is the always happy voice at the other end of the phone!

    When not at work she enjoys spending time on her lifestyle block or heading away in the Motorhome with her husband and their dog Wolfie.

    FARM HEALTH CARE PLANS

    Brochure Download:

    Thank you for your enquiry.  Please complete the form below and a copy of our Farm Health Care Plans, will be emailed to you.  If you would like to discuss plan pricing and any other details, please feel free to contact us.







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      FARM HEALTH CARE PLANS

      Pricing Request:

      Thank you for your enquiry about our Farm Health Care Plan packages and pricing.  Please complete the form below and we will email to you a copy of our brochure including pricing. 

      Please note pricing will be emailed by our administration team during normal business hours. 

      If you would like to discuss plan pricing and any other details, please feel free to call us on 03 308 0493







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        Daniel Goldstein

        BM BVSc (Hons) MRCVS

        E: daniel@dairyvets.co.nz

        Dan is originally from Sydney, where he graduated from University of Sydney in 2017. He spent his first 2 years in practice working in Yorkshire Dales in the UK. He has always had a passion for dairy work and in 2020 made the move to New Zealand to join the team at Dairy Vets. Professional interests include bovine surgery and lameness.

        Sally Mavor

        Office Administration

        Sally joined the team in January ’21 with our second clinic opening in Rakaia. She brings with her a wealth of experience having been dairy farming since 1995.  Outside of work she enjoys the outdoors, spending time helping on the run-off with the young stock, catching up with family, walking and gardening.

        She looks forward to seeing you at both offices, splitting her week between Ashburton and Rakaia.

         

        Vanessa Orr

        Office Administration

        Hi, I’m Vanessa and I’m the full-time based Rakaia person. I live in Leeston so not too far away; I have 2 late teen boy’s and several animals. When I’m not working, my family keeps me busy, mainly running around my oldest son and his rugby at Southbridge, at markets for my own small home business in crafts and doing countless loads of washing! I grew up around sailing, horse riding, sheep and cropping so cows are something I’m busy learning now.

        Annie Kennedy

        Technician

        Annie has worked for dairy vets since 2020 causally while finishing university then started full time in 2022. She grew up on a dairy farm in South Canterbury. She enjoys working as part of the Dairy Vets team. Outside of work Annie enjoys Netball, running, spending time with friends and family. Annie is constantly furthering her education on all things Animal based.

        • Bachelor Of Environment and Society (Lincoln University NZ)
        • Diploma in Animal welfare and Veterinary assist (Career Academy NZ and AUS)
        • Accredited Dairy NZ condition scorer
        • Authorised person for MPI under the Biosecurity Act 1993 (MBOVIS)

        Anita Renes

        BVSc MRCVS

        E: anita@dairyvets.co.nz

        Anita started at Dairy Vets in March 2021.  She grew up in South Canterbury and has previously practiced as a large animal vet in the North Island and as a locum in Mid Canterbury.  Anita and her husband have been contract milking on a dairy farm at Dorie since 2012.  Outside of work she is kept busy with 3 children, the farm business, various community roles and a bit of hiking, biking and netball.

        She has particular interests professionally in milk quality, calf rearing, trace elements and lameness. Accredited Healthy Hoof provider.

         

        Will McLean

        BVSc

        E: will@dairyvets.co.nz

        Originally from a relatively small (by Mid Canterbury standards!) dairy farm in Aberdeenshire, Will graduated from Glasgow University in 2019 and worked in mixed practice in Scotland for 18 months. He then decided to come to Ashburton to gain experience where’s there’s an abundance of cows and learn about New Zealand farming systems.  Accredited Dairy NZ Body Condition Scorer.

         

        Outside of work Will is a long suffering Scotland rugby fan and is keen to bag as many huts as he can out tramping on the South Island.