Bridging the Divide between Theory and Practice: Takinga Co-Productive Approach to Vet-Farmer Relationships

摘要

This article explores the practical difficulties faced by veterinary surgeons inbridging the divide between scientific and practitioner knowledge. By review of extantliterature and an empirical example from the dairy industry, cattle lameness, the articleadvocates innovative approaches to the concept of knowledge transfer and suggests analternative to the evidence-based communication model that many vets seek to use in practice.In highlighting a qualitative understanding of knowledge within a needs-based process oflearning, the article suggests that co-produced experiences, framed by dialogic exchange anddemocratic learning techniques, have potential to bring together different forms of expertise inapplied ways. The article contends that doing so carries the potential for greater collaboration,learning and change on farms.