Table 2 Details of the herd fertility service (HFS) provided by veterinary practitioners in Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal (responses in % unless otherwise stated*).

How do you get a HFS started with a client?

The client asks for it

72.6

66.6

77.5

66.6

It begins with a fertility problem

71.2

75.0

70

71.4

It begins with a financial problem

21.9

33.3

17.5

23.8

Other

32.9

33.3

42.5

14.3

What are the components of the HFS you provide?

Routine postpartum examinations

94.5

75.0

97.5

100

Fertility records analysis

75.3

58.3

77.5

81.0

Ultrasound pregnancy examinations

68.5

91.6

90

14.3

Investigation of herd fertility problems

56.2

75.0

52.5

52.4

Blood metabolite and mineral profiling

46.6

66.6

52.5

23.8

Farm staff training in reproductive skills

41.1

41.6

20

81.0

Oestrus synchronisation

34.3

58.3

10

66.6

Providing written fertility SOPs

34.3

41.6

20

57.1

AI auditing

15.1

0

7.5

38.1

Other

53.4

58.3

37.5

81.0

In what form are fertility records available to you

Client's computer

76.7

58.3

77.5

85.7

Breeding charts

56.2

75.0

57.6

42.9

Notebooks/diaries

52.1

75.0

27.5

85.7

Other

9.6

33.3

7.5

0

How many planned HFS visits per year do you conduct?

Mean (sd; min.-max.)

4-23

4 (2;2-6)

12 (1.4;8-15)

23 (17; 2-52)

How do you charge for this service?

Fee/hour

68.5

100

90

9.5

Fee/cow

37

66.6

20

52.4

Fee/month

21.9

0

10

57.1

Other

19.2

0

12.5

42.9

What do you charge for this service?

Fee/hour [€ mean (sd; min.-max.)]

87.5-106

101 (34; 60-150)

106 (13.6;80-140)

87.5 (17.7; 75-100)

Fee/cow [€ mean (sd; min.-max.)]

2-15.5

4 (1; 3-5)

15.5 (3.2;12-19)

2 (1; 1.5-3)

Fee/month [€ mean (sd; min.-max.)]

355

-

-

355 (196; 125-650)

Describe the types of clients who use this service?

More educated than average

69.9

75.0

67.5

71.4

Clients with herd fertility problems

57.5

66.6

57.5

52.3

Clients with larger than average herds

53.4

41.6

55

57.1

Clients who attend agricultural meetings

50.7

58.3

52.5

42.9

Clients with seasonal calving herds

19.2

58.3

17.5

0

Other

15.1

16.6

10

23.8

How do you promote this service?

I tell my clients about it

86.3

83.3

90

81.0

Word-of-mouth between clients

16.4

33.3

7.5

23.8

Other

41.1

41.7

57.5

9.5

Is the number of clients using this service increasing?

Yes

71.2

66.6

72.5

71.4

No

28.8

33.3

27.5

28.6

How do you demonstrate the benefits of this service?

Fertility benefits

86.3

91.7

77.5

100

Financial benefits

69.9

66.6

62.5

85.7

Other

45.2

58.3

60

9.5

What are the benefits to your clients of this service?

Financial

43.8

41.6

25

81.0

Satisfaction in fertility management

37

25

40

38.1

Other

19.2

8.3

32.5

0

What percentage of herds on the service has improved fertility?

Mean (sd; min.-max.)

41-81

81 (17; 50-100)

41 (23.2; 0-75)

75 (21; 20-100)

What are the benefits to you/your practice from this service?

Financial

54.8

66.6

52.5

52.4

Job satisfaction

42.5

66.6

30

52.4

Other

31.5

66.6

37.5

0

Do you want to provide an extended/enhanced service?

Yes

71.2

41.7

95

42.9

No

28.8

58.3

5

57.1

What would assist you in providing a better HFS?

Better economic evidence to convince clients

61.6

41.6

77.5

42.9

More time to concentrate on herd fertility

54.8

58.3

62.5

38.1

Better fertility data provision

52.1

41.6

60

42.9

A fertility referral service I could consult

12.3

33.3

32.5

9.5

Other

52.1

8.3

77.5

28.6