Book Review - Homeopathy Handbook for Dairy Farmers

HOMEOPATHY HANDBOOK FOR DAIRY FARMERS (3RD EDITION)

Written by Tineke Verkade.

FOREWORD by Susanna Shelton

It has been 13 years since I wrote the foreword to the 2nd edition and 18 years since I wrote the 1st book for this practical and useful resource. This new edition is ‘choc-a-block’ and enriched extensively due to the thousands of interactions between Tineke and her team and their clients for nearly 2 decades.

It is generally wise to question the process of ‘reinventing the wheel’, unless you can improve upon the basic design. In this instance, I would compare the 1st edition to the original Ford Model T that was revolutionary in its day and remains a classic but does not compare to Ford’s latest models in terms of speed, efficiency, bells and whistles etc. This new edition shows continuity with its heritage but is so enhanced and packed with new innovations and improved formatting as to be nearly unrecognisable from its first ‘model’. Question: What’s New in the 3rd Edition? Answer: Plenty!

The 3rd edition is packed with references to 44 more animal preparations in the Materia Medica (alphabetical listing of ‘medical materials’ used in dairy homeopathy); 40 additions to the Quick Reference section and an all new stand-alone-yet-complementary-to the main book section for owners of dry stock and steers, ‘Maintenance Guidelines for Dry Stock’.

These new and expanded materials are included because they have come out of the experience of Tineke Verkade, her dedicated staff and their thousands of clients around New Zealand who have been using homeopathic and herbal products to tackle acute health issues on conventional , biodynamic & organic farms. It is informed by effective responses to seasonal challenges and ‘constitutional’ pre-dispositions in dairy herds (& dry stock too) by using homeopathy and herbal preparations.

This edition includes suggested answers for specific current issues such as Theileria, environmental stresses such as Alligator weed & Kikuya as well as Liver fluke (Fasciola) and a nosode made from the bacteria that causes woody tongue (Acintomyces). It also gives indications for great maintenance tools developed specifically by HFS in response to the needs of farmers: Natural Teat Conditioner, Herbal Digestive Drench and the classic, Farmers Hand Cream.

This book also provides a calendar to recommend interventions throughout the year to help farmers stay ahead of and on top of seasonal challenges. All of this is strongly rooted and grounded in experience and feedback. A taster of feedback from consumers is included in the endorsement section. These show the great affection clients have for Tineke and her team and their satisfaction from finding natural answers to real challenges with their animal’s health.

Author, Tineke Verkade provides a unique perspective as a trained nurse, teacher, farmer, naturopath, herbalist, homeopath for people and specialist in animal homeopathy. Her experience of over 40 years as a health professional in the conventional and complementary realms is brought to bear in her books and seminars. This 3rd edition of ‘Homeopathic Handbook for Dairy Farming’ is her 8th book and like its predecessors will become a well-thumbed and valued reference.

Tineke is to be commended for the ‘continuity of care’ that she provides for her patients and clients. Tineke and her knowledgeable, long serving staff have been providing support to farmers and their animals since 1997. Thousands of happy clients and tens of thousands of successful outcomes are the result of the careful and attentive service of Tineke and her team. So I commend, Tineke, the her staff and this great resource book to those who love and care for cows and cattle too.

Susanna Shelton, BA, MDiv, RCHom, ADH
Retired CEO & Principal
Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy, NZ
Sydney College of Homeopathic Medicine, Australia
Former Co-President and Executive New Zealand Council of Homeopaths