Workshops and Tours

*Pricing for workshops and tours available here 

Monday 24 March 2025     

Workshop 1 

Title: Beef Value Add Pregnancy Testing and Reproductive Investigation

Sponsored by Zoetis 

Facilitators:

Dr Mark Hazelton | EMAI 

Overview: Investigation of suboptimal reproductive performance is a common challenge that veterinarians servicing beef and dairy producers are faced with.  

This course will guide participants through the newly developed “Guidelines for the investigation of reproductive problems in beef and dairy herds” developed by a panel consisting of Em. Prof. Michael McGowan, Assoc. Prof. John House, Dr Bill Graham, Dr Mark Hazelton, and Dr Lee Taylor.   

This course provides participating veterinarians with benchmarks and tools to collect and analyse production records, determine whether a problem exists, define the problem and work to investigate the cause(s), including the collection and interpretation of appropriate diagnostic samples to exclude reproductive disease and genetic disorders.  

You’ll walk away understanding: 

• Collection and analysis of production records 
• Defining the problem 
• Application of diagnostic testing 
• Analysis, interpretation and reporting results 

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm  

Location: Newcastle Convention Centre (NEX)  

Includes: Daily catering  

Transport: Included  

No of delegates: 50 delegates  

VetEd points: 8  

Workshop 2 

Title: Dairy Herd Lameness – Find it, Fix It, Fight It!

Facilitator: 

Neil Chesterton | Vet Education Transfer Services NZ

Overview: Lameness is a painful condition that affects dairy cows and can have a negative impact on the dairy industry. As cattle vets it is imperative you keep across the latest information to combat it. 

This full day workshop will include both theory and practical components that will give you the skills to prevent and reduce the problem of lameness on farm.  

You’ll walk away understanding: 

• the cost of lameness on dairy farms 
• the anatomy of the foot to help understand the weak points in the claw 
• the predominant lameness lesions seen in dairy farms 
• how to amputate claws 
• replacing dislocated hips 
• the importance of using foot blocks  

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm  

Location: Newcastle Convention Centre (NEX)  

Includes: Daily catering  

No of delegates: 20 delegates  

VetEd points: 8  

Workshop 3

Title: Prepare your practice for financial success 

Sponsored by Westpac

Overview: This course will help veterinary professionals understand their financial statements and how these relate to what the value of a business is. It will also show how the current economy is affecting profitability and what you need to monitor to maintain the profits in your business. The course will then discuss the end stage of business ownership and succession planning for selling the practice outright or introducing younger partners to keep the business vibrant. 

You’ll walk away understanding: 

• how to adjust your financials to calculate true profit 
• how true profit relates to the value of a business 
• the state of the economy in the veterinary market and what actions to take 
• the most important KPIs to be monitoring in the current market 
• how to prepare your business for succession or what to look for if you want to buy a practice 

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm  

Location: Newcastle Convention Centre (NEX)  

Includes: Daily catering  

No of delegates: 40 

VetEd points: 6 

Thursday 27 March 2025   

Workshop

Title: Emergency Animal Disease Diagnostics Workshop 

Facilitator: NSW DPIRD experts from the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute 

Overview: This workshop aims to refresh veterinarians' skills in responding to emergency animal diseases (EADs), including sample collection and submission. It encourages open discussions about veterinarians' roles in EAD responses and practically covers general necropsy techniques for EADs and other notifiable diseases. Ideal for veterinarians looking to update their skills and engage in discussions about EAD responses. 

Notes: Registrants will be dissecting carcasses and must have proof of Q Fever vaccination and workshop will only go ahead with 15 minimum delegates. 

Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm 

Location: Throsby, NSW  

Includes: daily catering, bus transport 

No of delegates: 15  

Transport: included (50 minute bus trip from NEX)  

VetEd points: 8  

Tour 

Title: VBG Practice Insights Tour  

Overview: Dive deep into a day of learning with a hop-on hop-off bus experience visiting three veterinary practices, offering valuable insights to elevate your own.  

The tours delve into diverse business topics aligned with the Great Veterinary Workplace Policy. Hosts share practical tips, from creative storage, to rostering solutions, software hacks, nurse consult strategies, client loyalty programs, and everything in-between.     

Each visited clinic undergoes a meticulous financial analysis by Profit Diagnostix founder Paolo Lencioni, empowering attendees to benchmark KPIs and gain a deeper financial understanding of both the host and their own practice's financial landscape.  

Interactive discussions and networking opportunities during bus rides and refreshments breaks allow leaders to connect, share stories, and enhance their veterinary clinics. The VBG Insight Tours are not exclusive to practice owners; we welcome all leaders and aspiring leaders for a day of collaborative learning. 
 
Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm  

Includes: Practice Analysis booklet, Morning tea and light lunch, transport  

No of delegates: 28  

Transport: Included  

VetED points: 0