True Cowmen and Commercial Farmers: Exploring Vets’ and Dairy Farmers’ Contrasting Views of ‘Good Farming’ in Relation to Biosecurity

• DOI: 10.1111/soru.12205
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01T04:26:52Z
• Authors: Orla Shortall; Lee‐Ann Sutherland; Annmarie Ruston; Jasmeet Kaler
• Keywords: Biosecurity; Capital (architecture)

Abstract Responsibility for biosecurity in UK farming is being devolved from government to industry, with a greater emphasis on the veterinarian (vet)‐farmer relationship. Although social science has shown that care animals part of ‘good farming’, British dairy sector sees need improve biosecurity. This research uses good farmer concept compare how vets and farmers define based qualitative interviews 28 15 England. The results revealed two conflicting farmer’ identities: large, commercial who economic capital invest veterinary services; self‐sufficient stock keeper whose cultural lead them manage herd health independently. These identities reflect changing ‘rules game’, following Bourdieu's use term, increasing penetration vets’ into sector. They involve different constructions risk which be recognised within debates about