British Cattle Veterinary Association

Modern dairy practice demands the skills of the consummate clinician coupled with the ability to analyse and interpret both complex datasets and modern diagnostic tests. Acquiring and maintaining these skills is a challenge for the new graduate and experienced practitioner alike. Whilst the importance of the acquisition of clinical skills is obvious and often used as a benchmark of our performance by our clients, the importance of the data analyst is often overlooked. Recent developments have addressed the dearth of data available to the modern practitioner. However, there are a plethora of pitfalls awaiting the uninitiated when venturing into the uncharted midst of such freely available data, which often lacks veracity.