Farm Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You'll join Kernow Farm and Equine, a newly formed practice bringing together three established cornish practices. This is a full-time farm veterinary role working across a diverse client base from smallholdings to larger beef, sheep and mixed farms. The position is primarily ambulatory, so you'll be equipped with a vehicle, mobile and laptop to deliver practical, sustainable care that supports livestock health and long-term client success.

With a manageable 1:4 out-of-hours rota and 1:4 weekend rota (reducing during quieter summer months), you'll work four 10-hour days (8:30am to 6:30pm). The practice demonstrates genuine commitment to work-life balance, with time off in lieu helping to keep workloads fair. This 12-month fixed-term contract offers flexibility to explore whether farm practice is the right fit for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a varied caseload including TB testing, routine and preventative work, herd health planning, and emergency care
• Carry out artificial insemination work, mainly with cattle
• Manage sole charge and on-call rota duties, handling both planned and emergency work independently
• Build strong relationships with farming clients, providing expert advice on livestock health and farm profitability
• Work collaboratively within an experienced farm team of vets, supported by a dedicated TB testing team, animal care assistant, vet tech and client care colleagues
• Contribute positively to the clinical culture, sharing knowledge and supporting colleague development
• Perform dispensary tasks and maintain regular client contact

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and RCVS registration, or eligibility to register with the RCVS
• TB testing qualification (essential)
• Experience working in farm animal practice
• Full UK driving licence (required for ambulatory role)
• Confidence working in ambulatory and sole charge environments, including emergency work
• Strong communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with farming clients and colleagues
• Professionalism, reliability and ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus relocation allowance up to £2,000
• 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• BVA membership, VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches and peer networks
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership and specialist roles

About the Practice

Kernow Farm and Equine was formed from the merger of Harleigh Vets, Pelyn Veterinary Group and Churchend Veterinary Centre, creating a ten-vet practice dedicated to farm and equine work in Cornwall. The practice combines traditional local veterinary values with the resources and specialist services of a larger enterprise. All vets have lived and worked in Cornwall for many years, providing valuable local knowledge and long-standing relationships within the farming community.

The practice offers expertise across dairy herd health, mastitis control, lameness investigations, fertility issues and long-term health planning. The team includes vets with particular skills in sheep and beef medicine, support for small holders, and equine care ranging from routine vaccinations and teeth rasping to lameness investigations and minor surgery. The practice believes that modern farming requires a collaborative team approach, and you'll work within a supportive environment where clinical interests are encouraged to develop.